[
Replying to myth-one.com in post #1403]
As can be seen, by the quotes used, the author of Ecclesiastes appears to be inclined toward the belief in materialism.
However, it may be just a case of quote-mining in order that an impression favoring your argument as to what happens to the human personality is given.
Also from Ecclesiastes
“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”
Again, interpretations of Bible script is not exempt from being questioned that the spirits might be tested. Your belief that one's personality also turns into dust, is arguably incorrect.
Obviously differing interpretations of biblical script leading to intransigent positions, cannot be so easily explained by simply saying that scripture is "sealed from our understanding".
Not that I am saying it is not sealed from your understanding, but your position on the matter is not everyone's.
What returns to God when any man dies their first "death" is a history of that person's life, which is "written in books."
Nonbelievers will be judged from these "books" after they are resurrected:
Revelation 20:12
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books,
That too is simply belief based upon how humans do things - and as you say;
It bothers man that he cannot definitely define his own existence -- especially his non-physical attributes. His thoughts, emotions, loves, etc.
and this bothering is why the book - Revelations - was written in the style that it was - as the author was ignorant of many things which we are not, and reported what was experienced by using words and concepts based upon the authors beliefs and knowledge gained in the epoch the author lived through.
It is the same in the case of Jesus in the desert, which
I mentioned in an earlier post;
What each individual experiences and how they interpret the experience of their visions/alternate experiences, is subject to that individuals belief system, attitude, expectations et al.
According to non biblical sources, the stories of what folk tell re their visions/alternate experiences shows us that it is more than simply a "record of ones life" which "goes back to YHVH" [enters the realm of Spirit] but the very essence of the individual personality which continues to experience being alive - living - although it may well also be the case that not everyone gets to continue on in that manner, and simply remain dead, because YHVH is the GOD of The Living, not the dead.
Perhaps that was what Jesus meant in saying "One must be born again - this time of the Spirit." Those who are not, do not.
The idea that folk will be resurrected from the dead and made alive only to be judged unworthy and made to be dead again, is questionable, as there seems to be no logical reason for doing things that way. If YHVH has no use for the individual personality, then it can remain dead forever.
That is why I think it more likely that such beliefs about how things are done, depend upon the personalities overall attitude, and those who desire that type of outcome, are likely to receive it for themselves, rather than have their expectation fulfilled that it will be others who receive it.
Those dead can stay dead.
On the other hand, man is reportedly at the top of the physical food chain and has no one to look to above. It bothers man that he cannot definitely define his own existence -- especially his non-physical attributes. His thoughts, emotions, loves, etc.
It is not impossible for the individual personality to definitely define his/her own existence and know their self, including thoughts, emotions, loves etc.
If some are 'bothered' by this, because they can't seem to do so, perhaps they need to rethink their beliefs and adjust as necessary.
If one's interpretations of biblical stories is unable to assist them in that, perhaps too - their interpretations require adjustment.
But thinking that scripture somehow gives one 'life', is likely just one more form of idolatry.
Best take care what one idolizes...perhaps opting for not idolizing anything is the wiser choice...