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Catholics say:The soul is immortal; all humans have one. Adam sinned and his physical body returned to dust, but his soul moved on to phase 2.

According to Catholic doctrine, why does the whole plan of redemption depend on the physical death of Jesus Christs human body? How are we saved from Adamic death which according to doctrine was death of physical body only?

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  • Simple. More than the physical body is involved. A relationship with God ruined by sin is a stake.
    – Steve
    Nov 17, 2015 at 1:36
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    – Steve
    Nov 17, 2015 at 1:43
  • I've edited to clarify the question, which I happen to think is a good one. If the edited version is not exactly what you wanted to ask, please do re-edit it. Nov 17, 2015 at 2:51
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    This question confuses and equates cessation to exist with cessation to live.
    – user13992
    Nov 29, 2015 at 6:10
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    Can you back up the claim that according to Catholic doctrine the Adamic death was only physical?
    – curiousdannii
    Dec 3, 2015 at 14:57

1 Answer 1

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What is death according to Catholicism?

Death consists in the separation of soul and body. - Cf. Individual eschatology, Eschatology | New Advent.

Can the body live after it is separated from the soul?

The LORD teaches that it is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail. Therefore with death, while the soul goes on, the body returns to dust from which it was taken because of itself it contributes nothing to the living person.

Cf. Also Eccl 12:7 (RSVCE): and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

What other scriptural passages may assist the OP in the proper understanding of Catholic teaching regarding death?

Therefore they are dead those who are taken out of the land of the living to go down to sheol, the abode of the dead.

Another expression is "putting off one's tent" as in 2 Pt 1:14 (RSVCE).

Cf. Also Phil 1:21-23 (RSVCE), where St. Paul speaks of what he gains via death, i.e., going to be with Christ.

Therefore the OP's question:

According to Catholic doctrine, why does the whole plan of redemption depend on the physical death of Jesus Christs (sic) human body? How are we saved from Adamic death which according to doctrine was death of physical body only?

cannot be answered from a Catholic perspective because it seems death is understood as the "death of [the] physical body only", while the Catholic definition and understanding of death in line with scripture is that death consists in the separation of soul and body.



Cf. This answer of mine to: How is the matter of why the Son of God needed to be sacrificed explained in the Roman Catholic Church? | C.SE.

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  • clarify why op is wrong in saying only Adams body died clarify why an immortal soul needs saving from death
    – User 14
    Jan 12, 2016 at 0:19
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    @Pam 1) Jesus saves from sin [cf. Mt 1:21] and the consequences from sin e.g death [cf. Rm 6:22-23] and the last enemy to be destroyed is death [cf. 1 Cor 15:26]. 2) Other questions to consider from human experience: without salvation, what good does a disembodied soul do here on earth, i.e., in the land of the living? It can't protect the widow or the orphan, provide companionship, etc. Salvation [will] rights those ills. 3) What good does the soul in mortal sin experience even if it goes on? According to Catholicism, it goes to hell which is the second death. Salvation saves from hell.
    – user13992
    Jan 12, 2016 at 1:52
  • @Pam In my answer the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail so clearly Can the body live after it is separated from the body? cannot be a question I would ask.
    – user13992
    Jan 21, 2016 at 18:54
  • @Pam Go ahead and edit and perhaps I could then understand what you are trying to convey and and with that understanding, let the edit stand. By others edits, the intent of a question is known or an answer made more correct and thus contributing to making the site better.
    – user13992
    Jan 22, 2016 at 1:23

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