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Does the human soul consciously exist following death

lovely said:
First of all, the Bible is unique. It is not fantasy, or a book about talking animals, or fictional Giants and beanstalks. There is no comparison to the living Word of God, and any other book.
This is not correct reasoning. You simply cannot (legitimately, anyway) argue that the Bible's "uniqueness" means that it does not employ literary devices that are widely used in other works. Allegory is allegory and whether it is used in the Bible or Grimm's fairy tales, it has certain features and properties. Proponents of the eternal hell position demonstrate a misunderstanding of the nature of this device, so it is entirely fair game to call them on it.

lovely said:
Even if we were interpreting other such books, if something was portrayed as never dying...we could interpret it as a never-ending "something". If there is a golden goose that represents eternal life, the story should not cause her to die. In this case, we would not see the golden goose as a picture of anything eternal. So, if Christ depicts the Rich man in eternal torment, we can not interpret this as death, and in ceasing to exist, and have it make sense.
First, in NIV version, I see no mention of specifically eternal torment. But that is not relevant to my counterargument since the Luke 16 material does imply (at least to my reading) that Lazarus "goes straight to heaven". I and others clearly believe that this is not an accurate representation of what happens to us when we die. If I am not mistaken, most "annihilationists", at least in this forum, think that the saved are "resting in their graves" and are not "in heaven" right now as the Luke 16 account clearly suggests.

Does this mean we are making Jesus tell falsehoods in Luke 16 when we suggest that the saved who have died are not in heaven right now? No, it does not. It is in the very nature of allegory and other literary devices to make factually untrue statements in service of the real point that is being driven home. So, in Animal Farm, we have talking pigs. Do pigs really talk? No they do not. Again, the very nature of the literary device is such that factually incorrect statements are often made.

The above in no ways makes the case that Luke 16 is allegory - that argument has been provided by others. However, it is time that proponents of the "eternal hell" position (I am not talking about you, lovely) give up on the "if it is a parable, then Jesus is making false statements" argument. A grade 9 student, who has read Animal Farm, would know this, just as he knows the author of that book is not "telling falsehoods" when he uses the literary device of talking pigs.
 
lovely said:
The parable itself, even if it were not true in a historical sense, is true in the picture it depicts, because Christ was doing the talking. God was doing the talking. Hebrews 1:2 tells us that He was sent as our full revelation from God. Jesus would NOT characterize something as an eternal torment situation, when it is really annihilation.
This argument cannot work - Jesus calls the Pharisees "snakes". They are clearly not snakes. Where does Jesus ever say anything like the following: "I promise never to use allegory and metaphor in my teachings". The very nature of this literary device involves distortions to "what is factually the case".
 
Drew said:
This argument cannot work - Jesus calls the Pharisees "snakes". They are clearly not snakes. Where does Jesus ever say anything like the following: "I promise never to use allegory and metaphor in my teachings". The very nature of this literary device involves distortions to "what is factually the case".

I am sure God never parted the Red sea either right?
and God did not bring down the walls of Jerico with a trumpet blast right?
and My guess is also that you don't believe Jesus rode from the dead right?
After all the bible is a book of fables, fairy tails and metaphores :roll:
 
jgredline said:
Drew
Lets pretend for just a minute that LUKE 16 is a fable as you put it.
It still does not change the fact that the Picture that Jesus is showing is very real.. So fable or no fable it does not matter. The question one needs to ask himself, is what side of the gulf will you be on? :o
First, congratulation on the birth of your grandchild.

I think that your statement is not true to what it means for something to be a fable. If something is, in fact, a fable, then by the very meaning of what a fable is, some "parts of the picture" are not going to be factually accurate.
 
jgredline said:
I am sure God never parted the Red sea either right?
and God did not bring down the walls of Jerico with a trumpet blast right?
and My guess is also that you don't believe Jesus rode from the dead right?
After all the bible is a book of fables, fairy tails and metaphores :roll:
I do not understand why so many of you seem to think in this kind of "its all literal or none of it is literal" mindset. Guibox and others have provided arguments that the Luke 16 account is not about the afterlife, but about something else. To the extent that this argument is sound, "false" statements about the afterlife in the account are entirely legitimate devices to drive home the real intent of the teaching.

Just as talking pigs (which obviously do not exist) drive home the message about communism in Animal Farm.
 
guibox said:
I don't believe that Drew ever said that Luke 16 was supposed to support annihilation
Agreed. I do not believe that Luke 16 makes any case in support of annihilation.
 
Drew said:
You are incorrectly characterizing the views of those who do not share your view re Luke 16. It would, of course, serve your position well to show that your opponents are effectively saying that Jesus is "misleading" us in Luke 16. Of course, this is not what we are saying.

The problem with this whole line of thinking is that it simply ignores the nature of the literary device of "allegory".

The book "Animal Farm" is (if what they told me in high school is correct) an allegory about Soviet-style communism. The intent of the allegory is to make statements about this system of government, not to make statements about how farm animals interact.

So the author of "Animal Farm" is no more "painting a false picture" by using the literary device of talking animals than those who suggest that the intended teaching of Luke 16 has nothing to do with the eternality of hell.
Your assumptions are frequently incorrect as they relate to the truth of the scriptures, and there are points of reason for these reoccurring instances, of which we do not have liberty to delve into in this topic; however, this particular false assumption of yours is that an allegory is related to unrelated specifics, and can be made directly by the Lord of Lords and King of Kings without necessarily relating to the truth conveyed. Jesus specified that a rich man died, and a poor man died; and as he has taught frequently concerning eternal life and eternal hell, he once again makes the teaching in Luke 16 relate to the context of the situation that he finds himself in with the Jews that are present. The service and obedience to God is the main topic of discussion, and the false choice of whether to serve God or mammon will determine the eternal destiny of those making the choice.
 
Hi everyone,

guibox wrote:
I don't believe that Drew ever said that Luke 16 was supposed to support annihilation.

I apologize if this is the case, and I think Drew cleared up for me what he was trying to say...thanks, guibox.

guibox wrote:
Ah, but there IS no 'pointing' in the scriptures. There is NO other support for 'Hades' as is used this way. You mock the Greek and Hebrew and cultural context but if you followed it, you wouldn't have this confusion. Hades and Gehenna are two different things. All the other instances of Hades in the NT supports the OT idea of Sheol whihc is the grave where all are awaiting resurrection and not some conscious punishment as is portrayed in Luke 16

guibox, I was again using the simplest of terms. I believe that the grave is where unbelievers are 'waiting', but not believers....not since the cross anyway.

Secondly, please do not misunderstand, I do not discount the study of Greek, Hebrew, or cultural traditions even...which is different from cultural context, btw....It was my point to not give them more authority than the Word. My point was really that simple, and I do not think my post mocked them in any way, nor is it my habit to do such things. I am presently teaching my own children Greek, and we study many cultures, especially those in Scripture, and so to mock them would be a contradiction for me.


Drew wrote:

This is not correct reasoning. You simply cannot (legitimately, anyway) argue that the Bible's "uniqueness" means that it does not employ literary devices that are widely used in other works. Allegory is allegory and whether it is used in the Bible or Grimm's fairy tales, it has certain features and properties. Proponents of the eternal hell position demonstrate a misunderstanding of the nature of this device, so it is entirely fair game to call them on it.

My post does not say that we can employ literary devices when studying the Word, nor do I think that. How else would we read it? :-D I pointed out the uniqueness of Scripture because it is not fallible like every other book (I may have failed to get that information from my brain to my post...I'll look again.) Meaning, it is the Word of God, and in that sense it is unique, and even living. So, to apply a literay device, one must do it with the understanding that Jesus only represents Truth in pure form, and would never exaggerate, or mislead...even in an allegorical sense.


Drew wrote:
The above in no ways makes the case that Luke 16 is allegory - that argument has been provided by others. However, it is time that proponents of the "eternal hell" position (I am not talking about you, lovely) give up on the "if it is a parable, then Jesus is making false statements" argument. A grade 9 student, who has read Animal Farm, would know this, just as he knows the author of that book is not "telling falsehoods" when he uses the literary device of talking pigs.

I do see your point, in this case, Drew, and I completely agree with it. I do think that the parable was literal truth, though, for other reasons that have nothing to do with Hell. As far as the Pharisees as snakes...this is a comparison to the deceiver, I think. The Pharisees were hypocrites...deceived, and deceivers. This is a comparison, not really an allegorical parable in a true sense. One is taking an aspect of something real, and likening it to an aspect of something else real, and the other is using events, or a story, to share a truth in picture...though its components are symbols of other real things about the picture as a whole.

I suppose I have taken this as far as I can with everyone. The Lord bless all of you.


Javier wrote:
Lovely
I am now a proud Grampa. My first. Adam Joshua was 7.5lbs and 20'' long
Praise God all is well.

So, wonderful!!! Praise God, and my prayers for that little one that he grows in stature, wisdom, and favor with God, just as Christ did. I love the name, so beautiful. Congratulations to you, and your family.
 
Solo said:
Your assumptions are frequently incorrect as they relate to the truth of the scriptures.
I do not really understand your post. Which assumptions of mine are wrong? Here is a list of my assumptions as I see them. Please indicate which of these are wrong or add more that I have overlooked:

1. Jesus does use metaphor / allegory in his teachings.

2. Metaphor / allegory, by its very nature, makes statements that are not "correct" in the sense that they entail some kind of distortion / exaggeration of the hard facts of the world.

3. Jesus issued his teachings in a very specific context (Palestine of 2000 years ago, not Nashville Tennessee). Accordingly, his teachings need to be understood in light of prevailing beliefs.
 
Drew said:
I do not really understand your post. Which assumptions of mine are wrong? Here is a list of my assumptions as I see them. Please indicate which of these are wrong or add more that I have overlooked:

1. Jesus does use metaphor / allegory in his teachings.

2. Metaphor / allegory, by its very nature, makes statements that are not "correct" in the sense that they entail some kind of distortion / exaggeration of the hard facts of the world.

3. Jesus issued his teachings in a very specific context (Palestine of 2000 years ago, not Nashville Tennessee). Accordingly, his teachings need to be understood in light of prevailing beliefs.
... this particular false assumption of yours is that an allegory is related to unrelated specifics, and can be made directly by the Lord of Lords and King of Kings without necessarily relating to the truth conveyed. Jesus specified that a rich man died, and a poor man died; and as he has taught frequently concerning eternal life and eternal hell, he once again makes the teaching in Luke 16 relate to the context of the situation that he finds himself in with the Jews that are present. The service and obedience to God is the main topic of discussion, and the false choice of whether to serve God or mammon will determine the eternal destiny of those making the choice.
 
lovely said:
So, to apply a literay device, one must do it with the understanding that Jesus only represents Truth in pure form, and would never exaggerate, or mislead...even in an allegorical sense.
Honestly lovely, this makes no sense at all. You are trying to have it both ways. To use allegory means , in service of presenting some message, to "mislead" in the sense of not describing reality in a strictly correct manner. If Jesus used metaphor or allegory at all, He would have had to exaggerate. Otherwise, it would not be allegory. This is not that difficult.
 
Hi Drew,

Drew wrote:
Honestly lovely, this makes no sense at all. You are trying to have it both ways. To use allegory means , in service of presenting some message, to "mislead" in the sense of not describing reality in a strictly correct manner. If Jesus used metaphor or allegory at all, He would have had to exaggerate. Otherwise, it would not be allegory. This is not that difficult.

I think you misunderstood me, and it's my fault for not being clear in that paragraph.

Actually, in this quote, I meant "even in an allegorical sense" in the principal of the allegory, or principal meanings of the symbols in the allegory, because I was trying this whole time to not get off on a tangent about wether or not the account is an actual event, or not. But, you are right in your conclusion, imo. I think to believe that Christ's parables are allegorical in nature, fantasy to truth, is inaccurate because it is double minded...though I do not see allegory as a deliberate misleading of a principal truth (because that would mean we don't know it's allegory, or fiction from the start), but definately fictional and fantasy in it's own nature. Of course, allegory is written by men, and is not a depiction of infallible truth at all.

Using comparaisons, or metaphors, is not the misleading at all, and does not compare with allegory in a true way. If Jesus compared the disciples to fishermen, there is nothing false, or fictional, about it. The disciples are sharing the Gospel to catch souls, in the same manner as the fishermen throws a baited line in the river to catch fish. Nothing fictional about that, just a similarity in the two...real life being compared to spiritual life, or the other way around, isn't fictional, or misleading, in nature.

I do not believe that the parable(s) is fictional for many reasons, and one of them is because I do not believe Jesus would tell us something imaginative, or allegorical, in a 'fantasy to reality' way. I believe that Jesus used actual historical events (or future events) to show us true spiritual pictures. I think the pattern for this is throughout Scripture. For example, the relationships here are pictures of our relationship to God. (Marriage, parent and child, etc.) Real things that are pictures of spiritual things. I think the Feasts in the Old Testament are another pattern of this. They celebrations of historical events that actually are pictures of Christ's various roles in God's plan. Real life representing spiritual truth. I don't think He would use fiction in any way period.

Bottom line, my point has been since we started discussing this parable(because I have never stated before if I believe this parable is an actual event or not) that if one does not believe the events to be historical, they should at least acknowledge that the truth of the picture being painted with those events is True, even in the representation of the 'symbols' of the story carrying over in a sound and consistent way...otherwise it does portray Christ as a liar.

So if we apply literary devices, we must remember that Jesus is Truth, and would never exaggerate, or mislead...even if He were using a fictional event to teach a truth in allegory as John Bunyan did with Pilgrim's Progress. The principal meaning, and the meanings of the symbols, would be only true...not portrayed as if to exaggerate them to mislead our understanding. If you conclude that this is double minded, I agree, but it does not represent by belief, as I view the events as actual.

I hope that clarifies it. I know I tend to write as if everyone can see if from my perspective at times, and I apologize for this tendency when I am in a hurry.

The Lord bless all of you.
 
Atonement said:
Oscar
A warning has been given to you unfortunately for violating the Terms of Service. The Terms of Service (TOS) was setup to help maintain a clean and focused forum for all to debate on. The staff must enforce the TOS with each of it's members. Furthermore it must be noted, that three warnings could ban you from this site. Though the staff will handle this as a case by case with our members per the discretion of the Admins.

Here is a link to our Terms of Service (TOS) http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=9219
Please take a moment and review them.

You have violated # 5 and 6 of the TOS



Just abide by the very simple rules we have and respect this is as a Christian forum and there should be no further problems. Just consider this recent warning as a friendly one. All I ask is that you remember where you are when posting here.

Atonement
-moderator-



I shared it here in the forum, because I have received three PM's about your post Oscar, I ask that you show more respect to other members, and please not allow your personal feelings to get in the way..

Warning recieved and accepted. I will choose my words more closley
 
guibox said:
What I need is to stop wasting my time talking to you and answering your posts. oscar, you are far in over your head because you cannot dispute or even seemingly understand what I or anybody else is posting. Your immature responses and name calling are proof of that.

Instead of trying to prove my take on 1 Corinthians 15 and offer your own solution, you resort to slander.

This has gone on long enough. Atonement said you had one more strike. I am going to see if he will do good on his offer...You have just been reported, and you will keep being reported until Atonement or another mod sends you packing.

We tried to warn you enough times...Goodbye my friend.

1 COR 15
The Risen Christ, Faith's Reality

15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.


The Risen Christ, Our Hope

12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up-if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.


The Last Enemy Destroyed

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For "He has put all things under His feet." But when He says "all things are put under Him," it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.


Effects of Denying the Resurrection

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? 30 And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"

33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits." 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.


A Glorious Body

35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?" 36 Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain-perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.


Our Final Victory

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed- 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."

55 "O Death, where is your sting?

O Hades, where is your victory?"

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.



15:1, 2 Paul's gospel to the Corinthians centered on the physical death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God who became human yet never sinned (see Gal. 1:6). Paul had started the Corinthian church; the gospel that the Corinthians had originally received came from him (2:2).



Facts About the Resurrection



The resurrection of Christ was proclaimed eagerly by the early church. This miracle was considered an essential part of the gospel message. Surely Christ had died, but more importantly, He had been raised. More than just a suffering Savior, Jesus is our living Lord.

Christs resurrection was prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures (Ps. 16:10).

15:4

The risen Christ appeared to more than five hundred witnesses, including Paul.

15:5

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the gospel message is pointless, empty, and dishonest. Jesus Christ would not be alive, interceding for us, and we would not be able to place our hope in a glorious future with Him. The Resurrection is central to the gospel.

15:14, 15

According to Paul, "if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (15:17; see Rom. 4:25). Christs resurrection, not merely His death on the Cross, secured our justification. His resurrection was a sign of Gods approval of Christs sacrifice for our sins. In short, no Resurrection equals no forgiveness of sin.

15:17

The resurrection of Christ was designed to reveal what lies ahead for those who put their trust in Jesus (15:20). Paul called Christ "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (15:20). This Old Testament image (see Ex. 23:16) means that Christ serves as both an example and a guarantee of what we can expect. Because He has conquered death (15:26, 27, 54), we need not fear death. Because He now enjoys a glorified body, we also can expect to inherit a "spiritual body" (15:44) after this mortal one wears out.

15:20

Our dead, physical body will one day be resurrected.

15:42

We will once again be both material and immaterial beings, our soul being reunited with our resurrected body.

15:43, 44

The power behind this marvelous, yet mysterious, event is Jesus, the self-declared "resurrection and the life" (John 11:25).

15:45

Our physical body will be altered and changed to prepare us for the life to come. If Jesus is the prototype, we will still be recognizable, but our new body will be capable of supernatural activities (see Luke 24:31, 36, 51).

15:51

Our resurrection will take place when Jesus returns (see 1 Thess. 4:13).

15:53



15:3 Paul did not originate the proclamation of Jesus that he delivered to the Corinthians; he simply gave the Corinthians what he himself had received. He viewed himself as a link in a long chain of witnesses to the truth of the death and resurrection of Christ. Christ died for our sins: Christ's death dealt decisively with our sins. He suffered in our place to endure the just wrath of God against us. according to the Scriptures: Christ lived and died in accordance with the prophecies about Him in the Old Testament (see Ps. 16:10; Is. 53:8-10).

15:4 The Resurrection verifies the fact that Christ's death paid the full price for sin. The Greek term translated rose here is in the perfect tense, emphasizing the ongoing effects of this historical event. Christ is a risen Savior today.

15:5 At the time of Paul's writing, a person could have verified the truthfulness of the apostle's statements. The majority of the five hundred people who saw the risen Christ, as well as all the apostles and James (the half brother of Jesus), were still living. Born out of due time is probably Paul's comment on the unique way he became an apostle. Unlike the other apostles, who had the benefit of an initial training period with Christ, Paul became an apostle abruptly, with no opportunity for earthly contact with Christ or His teaching.

15:9 Paul considered himself the least of the apostles because at one time he had persecuted the church (see Acts 22:4; Eph. 3:8; 1 Tim. 1:15, 16).

15:10 I labored more abundantly: Even though Paul got a late start and did not have the discipleship training that the other apostles did, he traveled further, established more churches, and wrote more Scripture than all of them (see 2 Cor. 11:23). But Paul attributed his success to the grace of God.

15:11 whether . . . I or they: Paul did not care who got credit for the Corinthians faith. He cared only that the Corinthians believed.

15:12, 13 Some of the Corinthians were teaching that there is no resurrection. These opponents of Paul may have been denying the reality of Christ's resurrection. They may also have been teaching that resurrection is only spiritual rather than physical. Or they may have been teaching that the resurrection had already happened (see 2 Tim. 2:18). Whatever the case, they contradicted the essential teaching that Christ had been physically raised from the dead and that believers in Him will someday also be resurrected.




Word Focus

resurrection

(Gk. anastasis) (15:12, 13, 21, 42; Acts 17:32; Rom. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:3) Strong's 386: The Scriptures often speak of Christ's resurrection with the phrase that is literally "resurrection out from among dead ones." This is the wording in the first half of 15:12 and in other verses (see Acts 17:31; 1 Pet. 1:3). When Scripture speaks of the resurrection in general, commonly the phrase is "a resurrection of dead ones." This is the wording in the second half of 15:12 (see also 15:13, 42). In Rom. 1:4, Christ's resurrection is spoken of as "a resurrection of dead ones." The same terminology is used in 15:21, where the Greek text literally reads: "For since through a man death came, so also through a Man came a resurrection of dead persons." This shows that Christ's resurrection included the resurrection of believers to eternal life. When He arose, many arose with Him, for they were united with Him in His resurrection (see Rom. 6:4, 5; Eph. 2:6; Col. 3:1).




15:15 false witnesses: In vv. 5, Paul listed several people, including himself, who had witnessed the resurrected Christ. To deny the Resurrection was to deny the truth of their testimony.

15:17 you are still in your sins: Christ's death without His resurrection would not succeed in saving us from our sins.

15:18 Without the resurrection of Christ, those who are asleep in Christ-the dead-have perished or been destroyed. The Greek word translated futile in this passage speaks of something that has no results. Without the resurrection of Christ, the Christian faith brings no forgiveness and no future life in God's presence.

15:19 we are of all men the most pitiable: If Christians have no hope for the future, the pagans could justifiably consider Christians fools since believers would have suffered for nothing.

15:20 Jesus is the firstfruits of all others who believe in Him. This is an Old Testament image of the first installment of a crop which anticipates and guarantees the ultimate offering of the whole crop (see 16:15; Rom. 8:23). Because Christ rose from the dead, those who are asleep in Christ (v. 18; 1 Thess. 4:15, 16) have a guarantee of their own resurrection.

15:21, 22 by man came death: The first man, Adam, transgressed God's law and brought sin and death into the world (see Gen. 2:17; 3:19; Rom. 5:12); the second Man, Jesus Christ, was the perfect sacrifice to take away sin and to bring life and resurrection to those who believe in Him (see Rom. 5:15). in Christ all shall be made alive: The principle here is similar to that in Rom. 5:18, 19, where Paul explains that by one man's (Adam's) sin many were made unrighteous, whereas by one Man's (Christ's) obedience many will be made righteous.

15:23 Each one in his own order indicates that God has a certain design for the resurrection. The word order is a Greek military term that might also be translated "rank." The Commander is raised first; His troops afterward. In 1 Thess. 4:13, His coming is described as Christ's coming with those who have "fallen asleep" (the dead), who are then united with their physical bodies. Following this is the removal of all living Christians from the earth.

15:24 The end here refers to all remaining prophetic events that will occur after the rapture of the church and during the climax of history, when Christ puts an end to all rule (vv. 25). delivers the kingdom to God the Father: When Christ and the church are joined at His coming, God will establish His kingdom on this earth, culminating in a new heavens and a new earth. puts an end to all rule and all authority: Until the time of the end, the Father subjugates everything to the Son (see Ps. 110:1; Dan. 2:44; 7:14, 27). Christ is Lord over the universe (see Col. 1:15).

15:25, 26 all enemies: God has allowed His enemy Satan to rule as the "prince of the power of the air" (see Eph. 2:2) and the "god of this age" (see 2 Cor. 4:4), but his final judgment before God is certain. The last enemy . . . death: The conquering of death is final proof of God's victory and the inauguration of the new day of the Lord (see Rev. 20:14).

15:27, 28 it is evident: Paul clarified the verses that he had been quoting from the Old Testament. The texts say that everything is put under the Son, but God the Father is excepted, or excluded from this subjugation, because the Son must be subject to the Father. God may be all in all indicates that there will be no challenge to the sovereign rule of God over all the universe. There will be universal peace and prosperity.

15:29 It may be that some of the Corinthians had for some reason been baptized for others who had died without baptism. Paul did not approve or disapprove of the unusual practice, though he used they rather than "we" when speaking of it. if the dead do not rise . . . Why then are they baptized: To deny the resurrection, as the Corinthians did, and yet be involved in such baptism activities made no sense.

15:30 why do we stand in jeopardy: Paul risked his life daily. To do so would have been of no advantage without the hope of a resurrection. Why else should Paul have endured difficulties like fighting beasts at Ephesus? It would have been better for him to take the position of the Epicureans, who sought pleasure and avoided pain. The reference to beasts might be a figurative reference to Paul's human enemies at Ephesus. Acts 19 does not record any confrontation with animals.

15:33, 34 Paul had already warned the Corinthians to avoid fellow believers who lived immoral lives (5:9). Quoting a proverb from the poet Menander, evil company corrupts good habits, Paul warned the Corinthians to stay away from those who teach false doctrine (see 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1).

15:35 Some people objected to the resurrection on the grounds that it was too hard to understand. Paul called these people foolish. Difficulty understanding the nature of the resurrection should not cause a person to doubt its reality, any more than not understanding how a seed becomes a plant should cause disbelief in the coming harvest.

15:38 The variety found in nature among living beings such as men, animals, fish, and birds, and among objects such as celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies reflect the Creator's power and will. The varying brightness of the sun, moon, and stars serves as a good illustration of the differences between the earthly human body and the heavenly human body. All these different celestial and terrestrial objects are evidence that God the Creator can certainly create new resurrected human bodies out of our old bodies.

15:44 natural . . . spiritual: The contrast is not between a material body and an immaterial body, but between a body subject to death and a body that is immortal. The Greek term translated spiritual here refers to a body directed by the Spirit, as opposed to one dominated by the flesh (2:15; 10:4). First man . . . second Man contrasts the sinful nature that every person inherits with the new righteous nature that comes through Christ.




Word Focus

life-giving spirit

(Gk. pneuma zoopoioun) (15:45; 2 Cor. 3:6; 1 Pet. 3:18) Strong's 4151; 2227: The Greek expression denotes "the spirit that gives life" or "the spirit that makes alive." The Lord Jesus entered into a new kind of existence when He was raised from the dead because He was glorified and simultaneously became life-giving spirit. The verse does not say Jesus became "the Spirit," since the Second Person of the Trinity did not become the Third Person. Rather, Jesus became spirit in the sense that His mortal existence and form were changed into that which is spiritual. As One now united with the Spirit in a glorified body, Jesus is no longer bound by His mortal body. He is alive in the Spirit (see 1 Pet. 3:18), to give life to all who believe. This is why Paul speaks of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:2).




15:50 Mere flesh and blood cannot enter into the glorious existence of an immortal body (vv. 35). Something must happen to this flesh so that it becomes incorruptible (v. 42).

15:51, 52 we shall all be changed: The teaching here is similar to the teaching given to the Thessalonians (see 1 Thess. 4:13). Whereas the dead in Christ will be raised first, the living believers will be instantly transformed into their immortal bodies when Jesus returns.

15:53 The living will receive a body that is not subject to death (see v. 50). Satan's apparent victories in the Garden of Eden (see Gen. 3:13) and at the Cross (see Mark 15:22) were reversed by Jesus death (see Col. 2:15) and resurrection. From the vantage point of Jesus victorious return, Death and Hades (the grave) have no power over Christians, because Jesus has already conquered both. We participate in His victory.

15:58 The Corinthians were to continue steadfast in the work of Christ, specifically because of the resurrection. your labor is not in vain: All the work that we do for Christ will be rewarded (see 2 Cor. 5:10; Rev. 22:12).
 
Drew said:
The argument has been made that the fact that names are used in the Luke 16 indicates that this text is a literal account. I find this argument to be rather dubious. In the account of the Good Samaritan, specific place names are used - the victim is travelling between Jerusalem and Jericho. Is the use of specific place names really evidence that this is a true account?

in my opinion, you remind me of the rich man in this story.
16:19 clothed in purple: Purple clothes were extremely expensive because they were made with a special dye extracted from a kind of snail.

16:20, 21 To have his sores licked by dogs threatened Lazarus with infection as well as ritual uncleanness, since dogs fed on garbage, including dead animals.

16:22 Abraham's bosom was the blessed place of the dead. Angelic escorts for the dead were also known in Judaism. This verse indicates that the dead know their fate immediately.

16:23 Note the reversal of fortune from vv. 19. Here the rich man was suffering and Lazarus was at peace. Hades in the Old Testament was the place where the dead are gathered. It is also called Sheol in Ps. 16:10; 86:13. In the New Testament, Hades is often mentioned in a negative context (see 10:15; Matt. 11:23; 16:18). Hades is where the unrighteous dead dwell. Gehenna is the place where final judgment occurs (see 12:5; Matt. 5:22).

16:24 I am tormented: The rich man desired relief from his suffering. The image of thirst for the experience of judgment is common (see Is. 5:13; 65:13; Hos. 2:3).

16:25 The standard by which the rich man treated others was applied to him. In his lifetime he lacked compassion, so now there was no compassion for him.

16:26 a great gulf fixed: This detail illustrates the fact that the unrighteous, once they have died, cannot enter into the sphere of the righteous.

16:27, 28 The rich man asked for a heavenly envoy to be sent so that his brothers would not repeat his irreversible error. It is difficult to know if his concern for his brothers was sincere, or just a backhanded way of saying that in his own life he had not received adequate warning about the judgment.

16:29 They have Moses and the prophets: Abraham made it clear that the rich man's brothers should have known what to do, since they had the message of God in the ancient writings. The point here is that generosity with money and care for the poor were taught in the Old Testament (see Deut. 14:28, 29; Is. 3:14, 15; Mic. 6:10, 11).

16:31 If they do not hear: A person who rejects God's message will not be persuaded by resurrection. Though the rich man's request for a heavenly messenger is denied within the parable, it is honored in the telling of the account, because the parable is part of a Gospel that announces Christ's resurrection.
 
oscar, I don't know if the commentary on 1 Corinthians 15 is yours or someone elses but I never thought that someone could actually go through the chapter and some how turn it around to come away with still a belief in the immortality of the soul.

It's like missing the forest through the trees...

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, the gospel message is pointless, empty, and dishonest. Jesus Christ would not be alive, interceding for us..According to Paul, "if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins" (15:17; see Rom. 4:25).

Why is it pointless and empty?

'because if Christ be not raised then the dead are not raised.And ye are yet in your sins, then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished."

Now this right here complete negates the immortality of the soul. Can you not see the clarity here? If Jesus didn't resurrect, the dead will have perished in their graves. This right here says that they are not in heaven right now or were before Jesus died.

Jesus' resurrection makes the resurrection at the end possible. Without EITHER resurrection, there is no life and the dead have perished.

The resurrection of Christ was designed to reveal what lies ahead for those who put their trust in Jesus (15:20). Paul called Christ "the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" (15:20). This Old Testament image (see Ex. 23:16) means that Christ serves as both an example and a guarantee of what we can expect. Because He has conquered death (15:26, 27, 54), we need not fear death. Because He now enjoys a glorified body, we also can expect to inherit a "spiritual body" (15:44) after this mortal one wears out.).

But it's not just about receiving an 'immortal body'. It is about resurrection to life...PERIOD. Without the resurrection, there is NO life at all. The entire chapter makes this clear as day.

We will once again be both material and immaterial beings, our soul being reunited with our resurrected body..).

You CANNOT get this rendering from teh chapter. To claim this is to completely negate the rest of the chapter which speaks of resurrection to life of the whole man, not immortality of the soul.


Some of the Corinthians were teaching that there is no resurrection. These opponents of Paul may have been denying the reality of Christ's resurrection. They may also have been teaching that resurrection is only spiritual rather than physical. Or they may have been teaching that the resurrection had already happened (see 2 Tim. 2:18). Whatever the case, they contradicted the essential teaching that Christ had been physically raised from the dead and that believers in Him will someday also be resurrected..).

not only that, but they were pagan Greeks who believed in the immortality of the soul which is why Paul emphasises the resurrection to life so much and ties it directly in to Christ's death and resurrection. The message is clear: as Christ died and was resurrected to life, so too shall we. If Christ didn't rise, we'd be dead in the grave! But their is hope for eternal life'

Paul then goes on to tell of the resurrection and not my immortal soul conquering death in heaven.

15:20 Jesus is the firstfruits of all others who believe in Him. This is an Old Testament image of the first installment of a crop which anticipates and guarantees the ultimate offering of the whole crop (see 16:15; Rom. 8:23). Because Christ rose from the dead, those who are asleep in Christ (v. 18; 1 Thess. 4:15, 16) have a guarantee of their own resurrection

One cannot be 'asleep' and 'awake to life' when they are already 'alive in heaven' and not asleep. This is a contradiction the traditionalist continually glosses over.


15:23The Commander is raised first; His troops afterward. In 1 Thess. 4:13, His coming is described as Christ's coming with those who have "fallen asleep" (the dead), who are then united with their physical bodies

Again, a false assumption that cannot be supported by the context of the chapter. Those who are in their graves would have 'perished' had it not been for Christ's death. They are still asleep and Paul says that they will be 'made alive' and 'not perish'

HOW?

The verse explains itself:

"But each man in his own order: Christ's the first fruits, afterward, they that are Christ's at His coming

15:30 why do we stand in jeopardy: Paul risked his life daily. To do so would have been of no advantage without the hope of a resurrection. Why else should Paul have endured difficulties like fighting beasts at Ephesus? It would have been better for him to take the position of the Epicureans, who sought pleasure and avoided pain. The reference to beasts might be a figurative reference to Paul's human enemies at Ephesus. Acts 19 does not record any confrontation with animals.

It's amazing that the whole point of Paul's words and their signficance are completely missed here.

Paul says, 'If the dead are not raised, then eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die'

Don't you see what that means? If there is no resurrection, then there is no life! "Who cares? If we die, we die! Might as well live it up!"

This is a complete redundancy to say if I am indeed alive when I physically die and my soul goes to heaven

Please, prove my logic wrong! Paul emphasises again and again and again that without the resurrection there is no life and that life is only realized and received, not at my physical death, but at the resurrection of the just!

This is the culmination and fulfillment of the entire gospel! Man is finally realized in immortality and THEN (and ONLY THEN) is death 'swallowed up in victory!) O death where is thy sting??

If my soul went to heaven at my physical death then DEATH HAS BEEN CONQUERED AND IT IS NOT THE 'LAST ENEMY' BUT THE 'FIRST ENEMY' TO BE DESTROYED

I believe that this is enough to show what Paul was speaking of.

Go back and read verses 13-30 again and again and again and see that an immortal soul makes Paul either deluded or a liar in this chapter.

'Then shall this mortal put on immortality'

This is not speaking merely about the body. This is an assumptive fallacy that is read into the chapter. Paul makes no mention about rewards for the soul and then rewards for the body. It is found nowhere in scripture.
 
Oh
That's not mine. I purchased a new bible from The word for today from Pastor Chuck smith and it came with a cd rom commentary. So when Guibox critized the commentary I posted, he critized one of the greatest theologians in history :o

Guibox. Do you know who chuck smith is???????
 
oscar3 said:
Oh
That's not mine. I purchased a new bible from The word for today from Pastor Chuck smith and it came with a cd rom commentary. So when Guibox critized the commentary I posted, he critized one of the greatest theologians in history :o

Guibox. Do you know who chuck smith is???????

Nope. Did he play short stop for the Yankees?

I like to follow the other greatest theologian in history: Paul. He makes it quite plain and simple with no preconceived notions in the text.
 
guibox, I'm not gonna take either side between you guys. But if you don't know who Chuck Smith is, then my friend you are missing out on alot of knowledge. The man is awesome
 
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