Why Have a Resurrection?
Posted December 7, 2011
Dear Mike,
I want to ask you your view on the "immortality of the human soul" doctrine. I get the impression that you would not subscribe to it as I know you don't believe in a literal Heaven and Hell like so many do (correct me if I'm wrong about my assumptions about you).
R____
My belief is that there is no scriptural support for this teaching that we all have an immortal soul that never dies and goes to one of two locations upon our death to await judgment. The only scriptures I can think of that one might try to use to back up this teaching Is the parable of Lazarus and the rich man in the Gospel of Luke, but that is a parable, and most teachers I subscribe to say we shouldn't take this parable literally.
Also they might use Matthew 17 verses 1-3 let me post these verses below.
Matthew 17
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
They might say that since Moses and Elias were talking with Jesus that this is proof that they are alive and in Heaven.
But certain other verses contradict the "immortality of the human soul doctrine". Here are some below:
1st Timothy Chapter 6:14-16
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
If Christ only hath immortality, how can any of the dead be alive now?
1st Corinthians 15:53-54
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
If we already have an immortal soul, why do these scriptures refer to man as mortal and say this mortal must put on immortality?
How does one not get confused by all the contradictory views on this subject? Because Matthew 17:1-3 could be used by some to teach the dead are alive now, but this would contradict those verses I posted from 1st Timothy 6 and 1st Corinthians 15. Both views can't be right, so I would appreciate it if you could deal with what I have presented here in this email.
Hi R____,
Thank you for your questions. You ask about my view on the immortality of the human soul. Well, here it is:
Eze 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Eze 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
If the orthodox doctrine of an immortal soul that goes either to heaven or to hell upon the moment of death were true, then there would be no need for a resurrection at all, much less a first and a second resurrection.
But a resurrection from among the dead is essential or else 'they that have fallen asleep in Christ are perished'.
1Co 15:16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
1Co 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
1Co 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
You also ask how one does not get confused by all the contradictory doctrines, and you say this:
How does one not get confused by all the contradictory views on this subject? Because Matthew 17:1-3 could be used by some to teach the dead are alive now, but this would contradict those verses I posted from 1st Timothy 6 and 1st Corinthians 15. Both views can't be right, so I would appreciate it if you could deal with what I have presented here in this email.Let's just look at these verses in Matt 17:
Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Wow! This does seem like a tough question until you notice what is said in these verses:
Mat 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
That is the answer to your dilemma. It was all a vision, and there wasn't really anyone there at all, but Christ and His disciples.
I hope this is of some help to you.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike