Questions tagged [souls]

Questions regarding the spiritual part of a person that is believed to give life to the body and is considered to be immortal

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
23 votes
7 answers
12k views

At what point is a new soul created according to the Catholic Church?

It seems clear that the Catholic Church rejected Origen's claim that souls were created and existed before conception and birth. Does the Church pinpoint fertilization of the egg as the moment a soul ...
Kris's user avatar
  • 7,069
17 votes
3 answers
1k views

What is the biblical basis for the eternal existence of the lost in hell?

I've heard particular denominations claim that although hell is definitely a real place and hell itself will burn forever, people who are condemned to hell don't actually exist forever in hell but ...
2tim424's user avatar
  • 3,468
14 votes
7 answers
38k views

What is the difference between man's soul and spirit? [closed]

It is easy to recognize the body as the physical matter that makes up a person. The body is clearly distinct from the soul and spirit in several ways: The body is visible to others. (When I see you,...
jimreed's user avatar
  • 2,522
4 votes
4 answers
802 views

What is the biblical basis for the immortality of the soul?

The Immortality of the Soul is "the doctrine that the human soul will survive death, continuing in the possession of an endless conscious existence." (source). What is the biblical basis for the ...
R. Brown's user avatar
  • 6,431
4 votes
2 answers
574 views

Did JWs believe in trinity and immortality of the soul before they got their own Bible?

This is a question about the Bible translation called the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT) that was produced by Jehovah's Witnesses as a complete Bible first in 1961, and about its ...
ravn's user avatar
  • 447
19 votes
3 answers
380 views

When are souls "received"? [closed]

(I'd prefer a Biblically-based answer, but if an early-church author or someone like C.S. Lewis needs to be referenced, that's fine.) Few Christians will dispute that we humans have souls, but the ...
El'endia Starman's user avatar
15 votes
7 answers
87k views

What does the Bible say about life before conception?

I recently spoke with a friend of mine and he was wondering if we are alive before conception. We know that there is life after death according to the Bible, but what does the Bible say about "life" ...
Chris Bier's user avatar
5 votes
4 answers
868 views

What is an overview of Christian viewpoints on what happens to humans after death?

My (rather superficial) understanding is that most Christians would agree that human beings are composed of body, spirit and soul. Now, I'm aware that the terms "soul" and "spirit" ...
user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
405 views

According to Roman Catholicism, what is the soul and its purpose?

In the Catholic Tradition does there exist a teaching on the purpose or role of the human soul in the makeup of a human being? I could also settle for a theologian's thoughts and writings on the ...
shiningcartoonist's user avatar
14 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is there any substance to the claim that Origen supported reincarnation?

Origen of Alexandria is considered one of Christianity's greatest systematic theologians, and it is said that he was a believer in reincarnation. Is there any substance (textual evidence) to the ...
Eduard Florinescu's user avatar
14 votes
3 answers
4k views

Did any other early church fathers besides Origen teach the pre-existence of souls?

Origen taught about the pre-existence of our souls, which, among many other of his teachings, was later condemned as heresy. Did any other early church fathers teach this doctrine?
user avatar
10 votes
4 answers
561 views

What are the Biblical arguments against man having an immortal soul separate from the body?

Belief in an immortal soul seems quite common in Christianity although some denominations do not seem to believe in this. What specific scriptures, and scriptural arguments, are used by those that do ...
SherlockEinstein's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

According to adherents of 'soul sleep', how did Moses and Elijah appear to Jesus, Peter, James, and John?

At Matthew 17:3-4 "Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters - one ...
Only True God's user avatar
8 votes
4 answers
10k views

Do Fetuses have souls? Is the aquisition of a soul instantenous or continuous? [closed]

Christian fundamentalists argue against abortion on the grounds that fetuses have souls. The argument starts with two premises: that people have souls while animals do not, and that the right to life ...
user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
287 views

According to soul sleep adherents, if unclean spirits can be conscious without bodies, why can't human spirits also be conscious without bodies?

Most soul sleep adherents find no issue in accepting that demonic/unclean spirits are conscious beings despite the fact that they lack physical bodies. The scriptural evidence for this is quite ...
user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

Does Roman Catholicism teach that man is body and soul (bipartite) or body, soul, and spirit (tripartite)?

According to Rev. S. D. F. Salmond's English translation, John of Damascus wrote,(1) For since man’s nature is twofold, consisting of soul and body, He bestowed on us a twofold purification, of ...
user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
317 views

Immortal soul concept: afterlife and the sentence spoken to Adam (Catholic perspective)

This is partially a follow-up question onto this question which left some unanswered questions in my mind. According to an answer to that earlier question, Jesus seems to have literally died on the ...
user100487's user avatar
4 votes
3 answers
781 views

How do adherents of soul-sleep interpret the parable of Rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19–31)?

Doesn't this parable indicate that people have some kind of soul or spirit that is conscious even after death?
srbhnrng's user avatar
  • 133
4 votes
1 answer
183 views

According to Roman Catholicism, at what point does original sin affect the human soul?

CCC 366 teaches that every soul is immediately created by God and not produced by the parents. The Church teaches that every spiritual soul is created immediately by God - it is not "produced&...
Mike Borden's user avatar
  • 16.7k
3 votes
4 answers
2k views

Did Jesus sacrifice his soul to save ours? [closed]

I am not asking for an opinion, what I am asking is that you evaluate my interpretation of the Scriptures and show me where I have misinterpreted them. In the following scriptures; it is indicated ...
BYE's user avatar
  • 13.3k
3 votes
6 answers
383 views

What is the biblical basis for the belief that the spirit of a person remains conscious after death?

What is the biblical basis for the belief that the spiritual part of a person remains conscious after their bodily death? In other words, what is the biblical basis against Christian mortalism / 'Soul ...
user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
584 views

How do Annihilationists interpret Matthew 10:28?

Matthew 10:28 `And be not afraid of those killing the body, and are not able to kill the soul, but fear rather Him who is able both soul and body to destroy in gehenna. (YLT) And do not be afraid of ...
user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
470 views

How do believers in an eternal conscious torment/separation interpret Matthew 10:28?

Matthew 10:28 `And be not afraid of those killing the body, and are not able to kill the soul, but fear rather Him who is able both soul and body to destroy in gehenna. (YLT) And do not be afraid of ...
user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
417 views

How are the soul and the body related to each other according to the RCC? [duplicate]

Humans have a mind (or soul) and body, but they are not separately divided substances (as Descartes would suggest). So one could say we have a soul and body. But according to the Roman Catholic Church,...
Marijn 's user avatar
  • 1,053
11 votes
1 answer
889 views

What is the source of the quote attributed to Origen, that "the soul has neither beginning nor end"?

Related answer: Is there any substance to the claim that Origen supported reincarnation? The following quote is widely attributed to Origen in books and on the internet (e.g., here and here): The ...
Nathaniel is protesting's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
839 views

Does Jesus's soul exist before his incarnation?

I am referring to clause III in "The Anathematisms of the Emperor Justinian Against Origen": If anyone says or thinks that the soul of the Lord pre-existed and was united with God the Word before ...
Graviton's user avatar
  • 933
9 votes
1 answer
1k views

In Reformed Theology, what are seen as the implications of Traducianism versus Creationism (of the soul)?

Traducianism says that one's soul is derived from one's parents' souls, but creationism says that God creates a soul for each body. The Wikipedia articles are a start, but I'm especially interested ...
Cohen_the_Librarian's user avatar
9 votes
6 answers
23k views

Do angels possess 1) a body, soul and spirit, 2) a soul and spirit or 3) just a spirit?

My personal understanding is that plants have a body, animals have both a body and a soul, and mankind has a body, a soul and a spirit. However, angels, as I understand, do not have a body that is ...
Narnian's user avatar
  • 63.8k
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

What are the biblical arguments against soul sleep?

Quoting from this site: Soul sleep is the teaching that when a person dies that his soul "sleeps" until the time of the future resurrection. In this condition, the person is not aware or conscious. ...
gronostaj's user avatar
  • 181
7 votes
1 answer
626 views

What are the different views on the nature of 'hellfire'?

Fire as understood by physical humans consumes and destroys the fuel that it ignites and then goes out. The unredeemed soul is what many religions teach will be tormented eternally in fire of hell. ...
Kris's user avatar
  • 7,069
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

A.W. Pink and the Tripartite Theory of Man

Related I have asked a similar question on Philosophy.SE. Background Reading Arthur W. Pink's pamphlet Regeneration: Or, the New Birth recently, I was surprised to find that he had a tripartite ...
Kazark's user avatar
  • 1,905
7 votes
3 answers
1k views

How to reconcile the original creation of every soul (Creationism) by God with original sin?

The Catholic Church teaches that (CCC 366), every spiritual soul is created immediately by God — it is not 'produced' by the parents. So, if every soul is uniquely created by God and is not produced ...
WolfgangP's user avatar
  • 273
6 votes
2 answers
414 views

Could "The human soul is created at the moment of conception." be defined as dogma?

Could the proposition The human soul is created at the moment of conception. be defined as dogma? (question idea courtesy Peter Turner, who asked "What paths exist in the Catholic Church for a ...
Geremia's user avatar
  • 39.2k
6 votes
1 answer
365 views

According to Catholicism, why do we need a resurrection if we have an immortal soul?

Here's this other question that asks the question "According to Roman Catholicism, how old will our resurrection bodies be?" The answers to the question talk along the line of that a persons physical ...
alec's user avatar
  • 639
5 votes
1 answer
533 views

How do soul sleep adherents explain Lk 23:43?

Luke 23:43 says: And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus told the thief on the cross beside him that he'll be in paradise with Jesus that day. Being ...
srbhnrng's user avatar
  • 133
4 votes
2 answers
2k views

What does Reformed Protestantism teach regarding 'spirit and soul and body' (I Thessalonians 5:23)

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. I Thessalonians 5:23 KJV Paul lists '...
Nigel J's user avatar
  • 25k
4 votes
3 answers
1k views

Why did St. Augustine and St. Thomas endorse ensoulment at 40 or 80 days?

I know the story that they lacked our current biological knowledge. I know the story that they still considered abortion to be a grave evil. These two excuses seem inadequate to me. Regardless, they ...
chris griffin's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
169 views

How do those who believe that the dead are conscious explain passages in Psalms that seem to suggest otherwise?

I'm specifically talking about the following passages (courtesy of this very insightful answer): Psalm 6:5 "For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol, who will praise You?" Psalm ...
user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

How are spirits born?

I'm interested primarily in LDS doctrine, but I welcome the perspective of other sects as well, as I believe that all of Christianity shares the same roots. Please specify from what denomination your ...
ShemSeger's user avatar
  • 8,845
3 votes
3 answers
2k views

According to Catholicism, Can God annihilate the soul?

Catechism of the Catholic Church 362 The human person, created in the image of God, is a being at once corporeal and spiritual. The biblical account expresses this reality in symbolic language ...
Mawia's user avatar
  • 16.1k
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

Does the Catholic Church believe that we become just souls after we die?

I am a Roman Catholic and I ask this question as one, but I'm also interested in understanding the answers that other christian denominations may have to my question. So, feel free to share here your ...
L. Siqueira 's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
296 views

How do 'soul sleep' adherents explain reports of personal experiences with deceased saints, friends and relatives by Catholics and other Christians?

Adherents of the 'soul sleep' doctrine believe that human beings become unconscious upon death, and that they will only recover their consciousness at the time of the resurrection. Therefore, a ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
533 views

What is the Biblical basis of the idea that a deceased person has "entered into eternal rest"?

The obituary page becomes a more frequent read for me as I age. Sometimes I see the phrase "So-and-So entered into eternal rest on such-and-such day." I am aware of the various beliefs on the nature ...
Kris's user avatar
  • 7,069
1 vote
0 answers
117 views

What is the present position of the Catholic Church on resurrection vs "immortality of the soul"?

The Catholic Church has traditionally affirmed the unconditional "immortality of the soul", with its final destination either to the blessedness of Heaven or to the eternal torments of Hell. ...
Miguel de Servet's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
268 views

How do 'soul sleep' adherents explain reports of astral projection, out-of-body experiences (OBE) and near-death experiences (NDE)?

Testimonies of astral projections, out-of-body experiences (OBE) and near-death experiences (NDE) abound, both within and outside Christianity. Many interpret these experiences as evidence that ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
160 views

When God creates each individual soul, is it without original sin at that moment?

According to the Catholic Catechism, 366 The Church teaches that every spiritual soul is created immediately by God - it is not "produced" by the parents - and also that it is immortal: it ...
Stuart's user avatar
  • 99
0 votes
2 answers
159 views

According to Catholicism, when a person dies, is that person's spirit/soul limited as to where it can be present?

According to Catholicism, when a person dies, is that person's spirit and/or soul limited as to where it can be present?
Walter Noel Breland's user avatar
-1 votes
1 answer
297 views

Immortal soul concept: why does Bible say Jesus was resurrected after 3 days, as he should never have been really dead?

It looks like it's a common belief that Jesus was dead for around 3 days and was thereafter resurrected. For example this website provides quotes from earlier Christians. They quote Ignatius from 250 ...
user100487's user avatar