The Soul and Body
A nuanced understanding of the relationship between the soul and the body, is rooted in a holistic theology of creation, eschatology, and the resurrection. We critique dualistic views that sharply separate soul and body and rejects the notion of the soul’s natural immortality apart from God. Instead, emphasis is on the unity of human existence and the eschatological hope of resurrection.
1. What Is the Soul?
• Relational, Not Substance-Based:
The soul is not a distinct, immortal “substance” but a relational and dynamic aspect of human existence. It represents the capacity for relationship with God, others, and creation. The soul is the person in their totality as they exist in these relationships.
• The Breath of Life:
The soul is connected to the biblical concept of nephesh (Hebrew) or psyche (Greek). These terms denote the “life” or “breath” given by God to animate the body. The soul is not an independent entity but part of the integrated whole of a human being.
• Spiritual Openness to God:
The soul signifies the human capacity to relate to God. It reflects humanity’s spiritual dimension, rooted in the divine image (Genesis 1:27). However, the soul cannot exist apart from the body; it is not a “ghost” inhabiting the body.
2. What Is the Body?
• Embodied Existence:
The body is an integral part of human identity. Humans are not “souls trapped in bodies” but embodied beings. The body is the medium through which we live, act, and relate to the world.
• The Body as Good Creation:
The goodness of the body is part of God’s creation (Genesis 1:31). We reject the Platonic or Gnostic tendency to view the body as inferior or corrupt compared to the soul.
• The Body in Resurrection:
The body, like the soul, is destined for renewal in the resurrection. Salvation is not about the escape of the soul from the body but the transformation of the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—in the new creation.
3. Is the Soul Immortal?
We explicitly rejects the idea of the soul’s natural immortality, arguing that immortality is a gift from God rather than an intrinsic quality of the soul.
A. Critique of the Immortal Soul Concept
• Biblical Perspective:
The Bible does not teach the inherent immortality of the soul. Instead, it presents eternal life as a gift of God, given through Christ’s resurrection.
• Dependence on God:
The soul, like the body, is created and finite. It depends entirely on God for its existence. Without God’s sustaining power, the soul cannot exist eternally.
• Rejection of Dualism:
We reject Greek philosophical influences, particularly Platonism, which introduced the idea of a naturally immortal soul. He argues that this view distorts the biblical hope of resurrection by shifting the focus to an individualistic, disembodied afterlife.
B. Immortality as God’s Gift
• Resurrection, Not Immortality:
The resurrection of the body rather than the immortality of the soul is to be affrmed. In the resurrection, God renews the whole person, granting eternal life in the new creation.
• Participation in Christ:
Immortality is not a natural property of the soul but a promise given to those who are united with Christ. Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of the believer’s hope for eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
4. The Soul and Body in Eschatology
• Holistic Salvation:
Salvation involves the renewal of the whole person, body and soul, within the context of a redeemed creation. This holistic view rejects dualistic ideas that prioritize the soul over the body.
• Communion with God:
In the resurrection, the soul and body are united in perfect communion with God. Eternal life is not disembodied existence but embodied participation in the new creation.
• The End of Death:
Death is the separation of body and soul. In the resurrection, this separation is overcome, and the whole person is made new.
5. Why Does This Matter?
• Rejecting Dualism:
By rejecting dualism, we affirm the goodness of creation and the dignity of embodied life. This counters tendencies to devalue the physical world or focus exclusively on “spiritual” matters.
• Eschatological Hope:
The promise of resurrection offers a hope that is both personal and cosmic. It assures believers that their whole being will be renewed and that death is not the final word.
• Relational Theology:
The soul, as relational and dynamic, emphasizes the importance of relationships—with God, others, and creation. This perspective challenges individualistic and static views of salvation.
1. What Is the Soul?
• Relational, Not Substance-Based:
The soul is not a distinct, immortal “substance” but a relational and dynamic aspect of human existence. It represents the capacity for relationship with God, others, and creation. The soul is the person in their totality as they exist in these relationships.
• The Breath of Life:
The soul is connected to the biblical concept of nephesh (Hebrew) or psyche (Greek). These terms denote the “life” or “breath” given by God to animate the body. The soul is not an independent entity but part of the integrated whole of a human being.
• Spiritual Openness to God:
The soul signifies the human capacity to relate to God. It reflects humanity’s spiritual dimension, rooted in the divine image (Genesis 1:27). However, the soul cannot exist apart from the body; it is not a “ghost” inhabiting the body.
2. What Is the Body?
• Embodied Existence:
The body is an integral part of human identity. Humans are not “souls trapped in bodies” but embodied beings. The body is the medium through which we live, act, and relate to the world.
• The Body as Good Creation:
The goodness of the body is part of God’s creation (Genesis 1:31). We reject the Platonic or Gnostic tendency to view the body as inferior or corrupt compared to the soul.
• The Body in Resurrection:
The body, like the soul, is destined for renewal in the resurrection. Salvation is not about the escape of the soul from the body but the transformation of the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—in the new creation.
3. Is the Soul Immortal?
We explicitly rejects the idea of the soul’s natural immortality, arguing that immortality is a gift from God rather than an intrinsic quality of the soul.
A. Critique of the Immortal Soul Concept
• Biblical Perspective:
The Bible does not teach the inherent immortality of the soul. Instead, it presents eternal life as a gift of God, given through Christ’s resurrection.
• Dependence on God:
The soul, like the body, is created and finite. It depends entirely on God for its existence. Without God’s sustaining power, the soul cannot exist eternally.
• Rejection of Dualism:
We reject Greek philosophical influences, particularly Platonism, which introduced the idea of a naturally immortal soul. He argues that this view distorts the biblical hope of resurrection by shifting the focus to an individualistic, disembodied afterlife.
B. Immortality as God’s Gift
• Resurrection, Not Immortality:
The resurrection of the body rather than the immortality of the soul is to be affrmed. In the resurrection, God renews the whole person, granting eternal life in the new creation.
• Participation in Christ:
Immortality is not a natural property of the soul but a promise given to those who are united with Christ. Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of the believer’s hope for eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
4. The Soul and Body in Eschatology
• Holistic Salvation:
Salvation involves the renewal of the whole person, body and soul, within the context of a redeemed creation. This holistic view rejects dualistic ideas that prioritize the soul over the body.
• Communion with God:
In the resurrection, the soul and body are united in perfect communion with God. Eternal life is not disembodied existence but embodied participation in the new creation.
• The End of Death:
Death is the separation of body and soul. In the resurrection, this separation is overcome, and the whole person is made new.
5. Why Does This Matter?
• Rejecting Dualism:
By rejecting dualism, we affirm the goodness of creation and the dignity of embodied life. This counters tendencies to devalue the physical world or focus exclusively on “spiritual” matters.
• Eschatological Hope:
The promise of resurrection offers a hope that is both personal and cosmic. It assures believers that their whole being will be renewed and that death is not the final word.
• Relational Theology:
The soul, as relational and dynamic, emphasizes the importance of relationships—with God, others, and creation. This perspective challenges individualistic and static views of salvation.
