CHAPTER IITHE MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL NATURES OF MAN The Bible conclusively proves that man has two distinct natures -- a material nature, which is the physical body, and a spiritual nature. These two natures are clearly distinguished in the Bible. The body, and the spiritual nature within the body, are recognized as two different and distinct natures. Before we present the Bible testimony that man has a spiritual nature within the body, it would be well to consider what the false theory teaches on this point. In chapter one in the summary of the false theory concerning the dead we have seen that Judge Rutherford and his adherents tell us that "No man has a soul." In other words, this means that "No man has a spiritual nature within the body." But this is contrary to Scripture for the Bible clearly shows that man does have a spiritual nature distinct from the body in which it dwells THE SCRIPTURE EVERYWHERE RECOGNIZES THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE SPIRITUAL NATURE OF MAN Job 32:8, "But there is a spirit in man and the inspiration of the almighty giveth him understanding." Zechariah 12:1, "The Lord stretcheth forth the heavens and layeth the foundations of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him" The "spirit within man" and the "man" are distinct as a house and a tenant within the house. Job 14:22, "But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn." Here the "flesh" and "soul" are distinct - The flesh is "upon him," or envelopes the soul: while the soul is "within him" or in the body. And these two, the "flesh" without, and the Spiritual Nature within, constitute the man. I Corinthians 6:20, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." In this passage, the "body" and "spirit" are so clearly distinguished, that no comment can make it more plain. I Corinthians 2:11, "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God." The distinction between the human body and the spirit is most obvious. The above passage conclusively proves that man has a spiritual nature distinct from the body in which it dwells. In Matthew 10:28 the spiritual nature of man is further distinguished from the body. Our Saviour teaches that the soul cannot be killed. Though man can kill the body, he cannot kill the soul. "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul." Here it is evident that the soul is not the body nor the body the soul; so that while men are able to kill the one, they are not able to kill the other. If those who are able to kill the body are not able to kill the soul, how can some say that the body and soul are the same, and that to kill the one is to kill the other also? The history of the creation of the first man, Genesis, first and second chapters, shows conclusively that he was created as a compound being, a body and a spiritual nature. The order of events, or exact process of his creation is fully described in the second chapter, verse 7. "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Mark the order of events, as they are stated. First, The Lord God. "Formed man of the dust of the ground." This was of course a material nature his body. There it lay, perfect in all its parts, but cold and motionless. The bones, muscles, and tendons, the veins, heart, and arteries, the brain, nerves, lungs, eyes, and ears, all were in place ready for action; but as yet, there was no consciousness, no sensation, no life, no motion. Why could not the brain have thought, the nerves felt and the eyes seen, and the ears heard? Why was there no life, motion, or intelligence? Because the intelligent conscious spirit was not yet there. The man "formed of the dust was as yet a mere human body, inanimate and lifeless. In the SECOND step in the process of creation, God "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life." This act was plainly the infusion of spiritual nature into the material body. The author of the "Literal Translation of the Hebrew" renders the passage, "And Jehovah Elohim formed a very man of the dust of the ground, and blew into his nostrils the LIVING SPIRIT, and man was for a living creature." He was but a body before, but now he has become a "living soul." It has been proven from various scriptures that man has a spiritual nature separate and distinct from the body in which it dwells, and here, the history of the creation of Adam shows that his life began with the union of his material and spiritual natures. In addition to the scripture references already quoted Job 32:8, Zechariah 12:1, Job 14:22, I Corinthians 6:20, I Corinthians 2:11, there are still others which conclusively prove that man does have a spiritual nature, and that it is distinct from the body in which it dwells. The two following references not only further distinguish between man's spiritual nature and his body, but they also clearly establish the fact that man is a triune being. I Thessalonians 5:23: "I pray God your whole 'SPIRIT' and 'SOUL' and 'BODY' be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Hebrews 4:12. "The word of God is quick. and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of 'SOUL' and 'SPIRIT' and the 'joints and marrow' (body) and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Spirit, Soul and Body are mentioned. Thus we see that man is a triune being. Man must be a triune being because he was created in the "image \ of God," Genesis 1:26, and God is Trinity. NOTE We shall not attempt to define the difference between "soul" and spirit." In this discourse it is not our purpose to discriminate and to show the shades of difference between the two. However, let it be clearly understood that "soul" and "spirit" are not the same. They are distinct - they are different. Writers have gone into lengthy complicated discussions in attempting to define the difference. Soul and spirit are so closely related that it is quite difficult to accurately distinguish them. The fact of the matter is that in the Scriptures the words for spirit and soul are not always translated the same. Sometimes in the original where the word "soul" appears, it is translated by the English word "spirit." Then again in the original where the word for "spirit" appears, frequently it is translated by the English word "soul." Thus we see the words are used interchangeably. Soul and spirit are both distinct, yet because they are so closely related and because they are so seldom distinguished, either of the two words, soul or spirit, is descriptive of, and is understood to mean, the entire spiritual nature of man. The two terms in the vocabulary of religious writings are generally synonymous. Therefore, hereafter in this book wherever reference is made to "soul and "spirit" either of the two words represents the entire spiritual nature of man. When we use either of the two words we are speaking of man's spiritual being. IT HAS BEEN DEFINITELY PROVED FROM THE SCRIPTURE THAT MAN HAS A SPIRITUAL NATURE DISTINCT FROM THE BODY IN WHICH IT DWELLS Job 32:8, Zechariah 12:1, Job 14:22, I Corinthians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 2:11, I Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 4:12 (quoted in preceding para- graphs). Thus, Judge Rutherford and all those who adhere to his theory, are definitely wrong when they say that "No man has a soul" or spiritual nature within the body. Now Rutherford says "The preachers have made the people believe that man has a soul." But from the foregoing scriptures we see there is plenty of Bible evidence proving that man does have a "soul" or spiritual nature. Of course, these passages, as well as many others are fatal to Rutherford's theory, and so he must get rid of them. But this is easy for him. His reply to this would be, that wherever the word "spirit" is used in expressions such as, "spirit within man" or "spirit in man,' etc., the word "spirit" merely means "Breath," and at death, the breath passes out into space, and man is completely dead. But Dear Reader again we find this is not so. The spirit within man, is not the same as the breath within man, that passes out into space at death. Such a feeble explanation cannot possibly do away with the clear evidence established from the Bible. We shall show the "spirit" and "breath" are not the same. Notice Job 34:14. "If he set his heart upon man, if he gather into himself his spirit and his breath: all flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust." Here observe that spirit and breath of man are two distinct things. If spirit meant the same as breath the following predicament would result. "If he gather into himself his spirit and his spirit" or else "if he gather into himself his breath and his breath." Spirit and breath do not have the same meaning in the Scriptures. As more evidence of this, see into what nonsense this system of interpretation would divert the Scriptures. In the following the word "breath" is substituted for the word "spirit" to show the folly of saying that the word "spirit" has the Same meaning as the word "breath." Acts 23:8, "For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor breath: but the Pharisees confess both." Also verse 9. "If a breath or an angel hath spoken to him." Romans 2:29, "Circumcision is that of the heart, in the breath." I Corinthians 5:5, "To deliver such a one unto Satan that the breath may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." II Corinthians 7:1, "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and breath." Galatians 6:18, "Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your breath. Amen." In the following the word "breath" is substituted for the word "soul" to show that the Scriptures which prove that man has a spirit or soul cannot be so easily explained out of their meaning, by merely saying that "spirit" or "soul" means "breath." Psalms 19:7, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the breath." Psalms 106:15, "And he gave them their request but sent leanness into their breath." Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the breath, but rather fear him which is able to destroy both breath and body in hell." Luke 12:19 "And I will say to my breath, breath. Thou hast much goods laid up for many years." I Thessalonians 5:23 "And I pray God your whole spirit and breath and body be preserved blameless," etc. James 5:20 "Let him know that he which converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a breath from death." II Peter 2:8 "Lot dwelling in Sodom, vexed his righteous breath from day to day." So you see, dear reader, the Scriptures proving that man has a spirit cannot be so easily done away with, by merely saying that the word "spirit" or "soul" means "breath." (Bear in mind the Scriptures that were used to prove that man does have a spiritual nature. Job 32:8, Zechariah 12:1, Job 14:22, I Corinthians 2:11, I Corinthians 6:20, I Thessalonians 5:23, Hebrews 4:12.) There are other references which could be cited on this matter, however these furnish sufficient and concrete proof. It has been established from the Scriptures that man does have a soul distinct from the body in which it dwells, thus Rutherford's supposedly scriptural theory fails on its first point when tested in the light of the Holy Bible. Note: In addition to the convincing statements of scripture, that man does have a soul or spiritual nature, distinct from the body, the following notes are worthy of our consideration. They are not submitted as evidence to prove that man has a soul, for this is a doctrinal study based on scripture, however, they should be of tremendous interest because they are in harmony with the thought of this chapter. It is a known fact that the matter in our body is gradually and constantly changing. We are not the identical persons we were seven years ago. New cells are continually being added to our bodies, while other cells are continually being removed as waste products. The old cells are gradually being replaced by new ones. After this process has continued for a period of approximately seven years, all the cells have been replaced, and none of the old cells remain. The body, as to actual cells which compose it, has been changed, thus we have a new body in a very short time. This means we have a new brain an entirely different brain approximately every seven years. It is a remarkable fact that while we have a new brain in a very short time yet memories remain. People can remember clearly events that occurred many, many years back. Aged people especially are noted for their memory of childhood days. The brain may have been changed many times, yet with an entirely different brain one is able to remember to the smallest detail events and experiences of previous years. We can also acquire new experiences, but they like those of the past, cannot be erased from our memories - they are indestructible. What is the explanation to this phenomenon? There is but one, namely: there is an indestructible spirit or spiritual nature in man. Certainly there can be no doubt about existence of the human spirit. It is the spirit, the real individuality, distinct from the body that remembers and remains long after the body has been changed many times - it carries the memories and survives all the great bodily changes. This is in perfect harmony with I Corinthians 2:11. "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the 'spirit' of man which is in him?" This shows that the seat of knowledge in man, is not in the flesh and bones, nor even in the brain, but in the "spirit" "which is in him." It shows that the physical brain is not the source of thought and will, and memory. While the brain is unconscious in sleep the spirit can have real experience. It is not the body, but the spirit that thinks, wills, plans, remembers, and holds communion with God. When a person dies, the brain, eyes, ears, nerves are still the same members - they are still there - yet the brain cannot think, the eyes cannot see, the ears cannot hear, the nerves produce no feeling. Why? Because it was not the body, but the real spiritual nature within the body, that did the thinking, seeing, hearing, and feeling. Here is another note which should be of interest. Not so long ago the Associated Press contained an article about Dr. William Mayo, world famous surgeon, senior of the two equally distinguished Mayo Brothers, and chief of staff at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Mayo said: "The keen blade of my scalpel may never uncover the soul as a tangible part of the mystery called man, but I know it is there. I am as confident of its presence as I am of the most elemental truth to which my own medical science adheres." |