It is an unfortunate reality that death is a fact of life. By the time I was 6, 3 of my grandparents had died - but the closest family death that stays in my memory is that of my cousin Calvin. When I was 18 years old Calvin died in a car accident – he was only about 21. I remember sitting in the packed parlor of the funeral home listening to the minister delivering his message about Calvin being in a better place and how we cannot understand God's purpose in calling young people like Calvin "home". Even as a teenager it was clear to me that the audience gathered there wanted the minister to say what he said, and yet no one seemed comforted by him saying it. In fact, I remember how beside himself my uncle was, sobbing and distraught over the death of his son, and rightly so, but the minister’s message gave my uncle no solace. I understand the emotional impact of the death of a loved one - especially a spouse or a child - but people (outside of those specifically called by God now) can worry or have a fear about what happens after death. By way of contrast, let me tell you a little bit about my grandfather before he died.

My grandfather never experienced a serious illness in the 93 years of his life. A month before he died he contracted what seemed to be a cold – but it wouldn’t go away. It got serious enough finally that he went to the hospital. My grandfather was a member of God’s Church, and his local pastor told us later that the only thing my grandfather wanted to talk about while he was in the hospital, was God’s plan of salvation and what it would be like to finally see all that God has revealed to us, be a reality. With that thought at the forefront of his thinking, my grandfather died after only two weeks in the hospital. I am convinced that he simply died from old age – but very much at peace. Without sounding too callous, it is interesting to note how people deal with death and funerals. (expound: grandpa’s funeral, grandpa’s death vs. Calvin’s death, recent public deaths) What are some of the primary questions that religions seek to answer? They seek to answer questions about life and death: what is the meaning of life?; what happens after death?; why does God allow some to die so young or with such terrible diseases?; why does God allow such death and destruction that happens during war?

People may not think much about questions like this until they or someone close to them is near death or even dies - but people want to believe that life is not just about our physical existence now. Just look at the shows on TV about angels, movies about the afterlife and books on near death experiences or even references in commercials to heaven. People yearn to believe that there is something better after this life. This yearning for life having meaning even after death is not a modern phenomenon – one of the common themes in the variety of human cultures down through recorded time is that of an afterlife whether it is heaven, nirvana, reincarnation, paradise, the fields of Elysium and so forth. People worship a god or practice a particular religion their whole life in the hope of a reward of a better existence after they die. Even if people are agnostic they can go through a so-called "deathbed repentance", hoping that after death there is something bigger and better than this life. Why should we consider this topic today? For those of us who have been part of God's church for a number of years, or even decades, when was the last time we considered the theological topic of the immortal soul? Let me read to you a few excerpts from an encyclopedia (Encyclopedia.com) article on immortality, heaven, and hell. Immortality: “Immortality of the soul is a cardinal tenet of Islam and is held generally in Judaism. The ancient Greeks and Romans believed in an afterlife, in which the souls of men lived on.

Zorastrianism posited immortality and the religions arising in India (Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism) generally consider individual immortality undesirable and believe in reincarnation. Christianity teaches the resurrection of the body (in the sense of survival of personality) as well as immortality of the soul." Under the article titled "Heaven" the encyclopedia has this to say. “…in Western monotheistic religions it is the place where the just see God face to face. In Judaism, heaven is pictured as the abode of God to which he ultimately welcomes the righteous and faithful. The Catholic Church teaches that before entering heaven many souls must pass through purgatory to be made ready. In Islam, the Qur'an describes heaven in graphically idyllic terms, replete with fleshly delights. In both Hinduism and Buddhism, existence is considered cyclical, making the rewards and pleasures of heaven a desirable but temporary experience; the higher objective is often conceived as a release from any form of rebirth.” On the subject of hell: "In Western monotheistic religions, hell is an eternal abode of souls damned by the judgment of God.

The souls in hell are deprived forever of the sight of God. The punishment of hell is generally analogized to earthly fire. Among ancient Jews, Sheol was conceived as a gloomy place of departed souls where they are not tormented but wonder about unhappily. In Buddhism, hell is the lowest of six levels of existence into which a being may be reborn depending on that beings’ karmic accumulations.” Quite an amalgamation and yet how similar these beliefs are - that there is a place of reward and punishment, and that we live forever. I just read to you summaries of what the world believes happens after death. On one level it is no wonder that people reject religion and these types of beliefs because they seem so unrealistic or just plain silly. Whether we are young or old in the faith, this is a subject worth reviewing - if for no other reason than to refresh our memory as to what most of the world believes in regards to an immortal soul.

Today we are going to review the widely believed doctrine of the immortal soul. • Where did this doctrine come from? • Do we have an immortal soul? • What does God teach us, through His written Word, about life after our physical existence? We will take a look at some historical evidence on the origin of this doctrine, and more importantly see what the Bible has to say as well. The doctrine of an immortal soul is an important doctrine to review because it is such a major tenant of modern Christianity. How this doctrine is understood affects how we understand doctrines like salvation, predestination, the trinity, grace, etc. When modern Christians talk about immortal soul, they are fundamentally talking about resurrection. What they believe about the resurrection defines what they believe about an immortal soul. Now the origin of the doctrine of the immortal soul is not Biblical in origin and the surprising thing is that many in organized religion will admit this – and a quick word search will show that the phrase “immortal soul” is not found anywhere in the Bible. This should not be news to us, but it would be to most that call themselves Christians. The Fire That Consumes, Edward William Fudge, 1994, pg. 22 “Theologians frankly admit that the expression ‘immortal soul’ is not in the Bible but confidently state that Scripture assumes the immortality of every soul.” If it isn’t is the Bible, where did this doctrine originate? To answer this question would fill volumes of books, and I will review some of that material with you, but fundamentally the doctrine of an immortal soul comes from the very beginning of man's history on earth.

Genesis 3:1-5 – you shall not surely die This is the beginning of the doctrine of an immortal soul. Think of this simple statement Satan made to Adam and Eve. Satan convinced them that in spite of being flesh and bone, they had the ability to live forever - like a god. The impact of this belief on true religion was, and is, devastating. Think of it - no matter how evil a person might be in this life, he will live forever. That “forever” may be believed to be a place like the Western concept of hell, or even a state of perpetual renewal of life like the Buddhists believe - but it is life forever. If God is not the final arbiter of who lives forever, then a person is free to chose what is right or wrong in this life, what is good or evil, what to believe or not. Let's then look at a few verses used to promote belief in immortal soul in modern Christianity. Matthew 24:36-41 – this is called the "rapture" Many Christians believe that if they haven't yet died, they will be taken directly to heaven at Christ’s return. There is nothing in the Bible that supports the concept of a heaven where Christians will sit on a cloud, playing a harp, etc. Most modern Christians also erroneously believe that the tribulation will take place after Christ returns and if a person is not taken in the rapture then that person has failed entrance into heaven. (we will be back to this verse later in the sermon) Let’s look at some other scriptures modern Christians use to support their concept of heaven. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 – their argument is that once we meet Christ, we will stay with him in the clouds.

Revelation 20:10 – tormented day and night forever Probably the most famous scripture in support of this doctrine of an immortal soul is the story of Lazarus. Luke 16:19-31 Christ is using a story (not a doctrinal teaching) they believed and used, in order for Him to make a point regarding their lack of obedience. The context here is not heaven and hell. Christ is trying to impress upon the Pharisees how they have failed to understand God’s law. Heaven and Hell booklet excerpt, pgs. 20-21). The Victor Bible Background Commentary, New Testament, in discussing this passage, explains that Jesus used contemporary Jewish thought about the afterlife to point out a spiritual lesson: "Not only was Hades thought to be divided into two compartments, popular belief held that conversations could be held between persons in Gan Eden [the abode of the righteous] and Gehinnom [the abode of the unrighteous]. Jewish writings also picture the first as a verdant land with sweet waters welling up from numerous springs, while Gehinnom is not only a parched land, but the waters of the river that separated it from Gan Eden recede whenever the desperately thirsty wicked kneel and try to drink. "... It is important to see this parable of Jesus as a continuation of His conflict with the Pharisees over riches.

Christ had said, 'You cannot serve God and Money' (16:13). When the Pharisees sneered, Jesus responded, 'What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight' (16:15). "There's no doubt that the Pharisees remained unconvinced ... And so Christ told a story intended to underline the importance of what He had just said. The rich man had received his good things, and had used them selfishly for his benefit alone ... This rich man's indifference to Lazarus showed how far his heart was from God and how far his path had strayed from God's ways. They were his riches, and he would use them only for himself.... "And so Jesus' first point is driven home. Love for Money is detestable to God, for you will surely be driven to make choices in life which are hateful to Him.... "But Jesus does not stop here. He portrays the rich man as appealing to Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, who live as selfishly as he did. Again Abraham refuses. They have 'Moses and the Prophets' (16:31), that is, the Scriptures. If they do not heed the Scriptures they will not respond should one come back from the dead....” Contrast with verses that refute immortal soul Genesis 2:7 – a living soul (not an immortal soul).

How do we know this? The word here translated soul in English is the Hebrew word Nephesh – and it means a creature that breathes air. This word “Nephesh” is applied equally to men and to animals (v.19). God is talking about physical life – a living soul, or person, in contrast to a dead person. This word Nephesh is used extensively in the OT and doesn’t support the concept of an immortal soul - if it did then animals have the same potential as man. How do we know that is not the case? Ecclesiastes 3:17-21 – the spirit of man goes up, the spirit of animal goes down. God has a plan for mankind. He created us for a different purpose than animals and we will cover more of that thought later. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 – but the dead know not anything OK, we have taken the briefest of looks at the introduction of the doctrine of the immortal soul in the Bible, and looked at a few verses to highlight the flaws in the doctrine - but from a worldly perspective, how did this flawed understanding of immortality become part of mainstream Christianity and religion in general? Beginning in the seventh and sixth centuries B.C. something happened that radically transformed the purpose and meaning of religion.

Philosophers began to reject animal sacrifices as a means to be made right with God, rather the teaching gained traction that mankind had an immortal soul trapped in the physical body and that soul sought to be reunited with the heavenly realm. As understanding in science grew with studies of the heavens, understanding of mathematics, basic chemistry, etc., this only solidified the rejection of a need for a god to change our nature. Greek philosophers connected truths they saw in the natural world, along with false understanding, and began to connect these things to their religious outlook. From this initial belief grew the doctrines of Dualism, Gnosticism, Docetism, Antinomianism, Asceticism and Greek philosophy. These philosophies are all children of false religion rooted as far back as the 6th century B.C. Consider this question in light of what we have covered so far. • Can, and does, Satan plan and lay groundwork for future events? • Did Satan plant this seed of false religion knowing that Christ’s coming as a man and to expound God’s plan of salvation was close at hand? (In the cosmic scheme of things, what is 600 years?) I think he did, hoping for so much confusion that Christ’s message would be lost in the noise. Let’s also take a second look at the verses we read earlier used to support the concept of an immortal soul and heaven. Genesis 3:5 – you shall not surely die The problem is that Satan didn’t give Adam and Eve the whole picture - surprise, surprise.

Turn with me to Romans 6. Romans 6:23 – the wages of sin is death The wages of sin is not eternal life in a hell. Instead of living forever like a god, we will die if we reject God’s instruction and His way of life. Who teaches this understanding but the Church of God? Ezekiel 18:4, 20 – the soul that sins shall die Death forever – not life forever in punishment. Now, back to Matthew 24, as I said we would earlier. Matthew 24:41 – the “rapture” As with most things of Satan, the understanding or promotion of these types of verses is flawed. Christ is giving instruction here regarding the end time, the tribulation and His ultimate return. This is not going to be a secret thing. v.31 – with the sound of a trumpet 1 Thessalonians. 4:16 – This is not some moment in time - POOF - and we will wonder where all those people went 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Revelation 20:10 – The word “are” has been inserted (ch.19:20, the beast and false prophet are physical).

Notice the parenthetical thought. It is Satan that will be tormented forever. Matthew 25:41 Today we have covered an overview of the historical and Biblical aspects of the doctrine of an immortal soul. Satan has indeed blinded this present world and corrupted God’s Word. What a wonderful thing it is, that God has revealed to us the reality of what awaits us after this life. We are not a pure spirit trapped in an evil body. God is not going to punish people for eternity in hellfire. God has a plan of salvation for all of mankind that includes the gift of immortality to those whom obey and put on God’s character. When I give the second part of this Sermon we will cover that more fully. To be continued.