The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Man's Soul

Is it mortal or immortal? I think it it is immortal; how do I defend that?

It cannot be immortal since God created man's soul and can destroy it again.

I suspect that this question is being asked in relation to the previous subject of "Annihilation", eh?

1. There are several ways to define 'immortality' of which two are particularly salient.
   - Re: God who is said who only has immortality (1Tim 6:15,16). God alone has no beginning nor end.
   - Re: Man, and angels, being spiritual beings, with whom the soul has a continuous or endless existence. Before the Fall there was no death and thus man can be rightly said to have been immortal.
2. In the OT the immortality of the soul is more implicit than explicit. You can see this in such passages as: Ex 3:6 (cf. Matt 22:32); Job 19:23-27; Eccl. 3:11, Ps 16:9,11; 17:15; 49:14,15; 73:24; Isa 26:19; Dan 12:2, et al.
3. In the NT we find more explicit passages: Matt 10:28; 11:21-24; 12:41; Lk 23:43; Acts 24:15; Jh 5:29; 11:25f; 14:3; 1Cor 15; 2Cor 5:1,10; Rom 2:5-11; 1Thess 4:16; Phil 3:21; 2Tim 4:8; Rev 21:4; 22:3,4, et al.

You're right. I want to know all truth and this site is where I come for help with topics I can't find elsewhere. Thank you.

Would you say that God created the souls to live forever? That's what I thought.

It was God's original intent that man would live forever (Titus 1:2). And that is exactly what will be. Some will live in eternal bliss in the presence of God and the rest will live forever in eternal punishment. Christ didn't merit 'temporal life' for those whom He died. They receive 'eternal life', Jh 3:15; 10:28; 11:26.

How would eternal life be defined? Is it the same as immortality?
I'm sorry that I'm getting confused tonight. Is eternal bliss the same as eternal life? Are the wicked also immortal?

1. Eternal life is not a term that addresses simply "duration" but the "type" of existence within that duration. Thus, eternal life is an unending existence that is in perfect harmony and fellowship with God, given to those who have been united to the Lord Christ.

2. Immortality is a more general term under which the Bible teaches there are two subsets; eternal LIFE and eternal DEATH. As previously addressed, Immortality in regard to God refers Him as having life in and of Himself of which He was never without and shall always have. Immortality in regard to all other creatures refers to life which has been granted and sustained by God and which has a specific beginning but shall never end.

3. Eternal bliss is simply one of the "states" of which eternal life consists. We can also speak of eternal joy, eternal peace, etc. The "bliss" describes the joyous contentment of having life in Christ after the believer is glorified at the judgment. I am sure there are other, perhaps better ways, of describing eternal bliss.

Pilgrim, my teacher, what do I do with 1 Timothy 6:16?

Is #2 the answer?

2. Immortality is a more general term under which the Bible teaches there are two subsets; eternal LIFE and eternal DEATH. As previously addressed, Immortality in regard to God refers Him as having life in and of Himself of which He was never without and shall always have. Immortality in regard to all other creatures refers to life which has been granted and sustained by God and which has a specific beginning but shall never end.

What do you do with 1Tim 6:16?... believe it and revel in it as a believer!

I'm not sure what you are asking??? But, my guess would be the 'answer' (don't know the question, actually) might be #1:

1. Eternal life is not a term that addresses simply "duration" but the "type" of existence within that duration. Thus, eternal life is an unending existence that is in perfect harmony and fellowship with God, given to those who have been united to the Lord Christ.

Those who haven't believed upon Christ with a true spirit-wrought faith will experience the antithesis of 'eternal life', i.e., 'eternal death'; unending punishment, pain, suffering, torment, etc.

I asked for that, didn't I?


You're doing great! Yes, and this is what I believe! Thank you!