The Changing Face of "Christianity"

Refashioning The Soul

It is commonly believed today that humans have an immortal soul that survives the death of the body. But did you know that this church teaching was also a later addition? Jesus affirmed the Biblical truth that the dead "are conscious of nothing at all," that they are asleep, as it were. (Ecclesiastes 9:5; John 11:11-13) Life would be restored by means of a resurrection-'a standing up again' from the sleep of death. (John 5:28, 29) An immortal soul, if existed, would need no resurrection, since immorality precludes death.

Jesus even demonstrated the Biblical teaching of the resurrection by raising people from the dead. Take the example of Lazarus, who was dead for four days. When Jesus resurrected him, Lazarus came out from the tomb a living, breathing human. No immortal soul slipped back from heavenly bliss into his body when Lazarus awoke from the dead. If that were the case, Jesus would hardly have done him a favor by resurrecting him! -John 11:39, 43, 44.

What, then, is the source of the immortal soul theory? The Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology says that the concept "owes more to Greek philosophy than to Biblical revelation." The Jewish Encyclopedia explains: "The belief that the soul continues its existence after the dissolution of the body is a matter of philosophical or theological speculation rather than of simple faith, and its accordingly nowhere expressly taught in the Holy Scripture."

Often, one falsehood leads to another, and that is true of the immortal soul teaching. It opened the way for the pagan notion of eternal torment in a fiery hell. yet, the Bible plainly states that "the wages sin pays is death"-not eternal torment. (Romans 6:23) Thus, describing the resurrection, the King James Version states: "The sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them." Likewise, the Douay Bible says that "the sea . . . and death and hell gave up their dead." Yes, simply put, those in hell are dead, 'asleep,' as Jesus said. -Revelation 20:13.

Do you sincerely believe that the teaching of eternal damnation in hell draws people to God? Hardly. In the minds of just and loving people, it is a repelling thought! The Bible, on the other hand, teaches that "God is love"and that cruelty,even to animals, is abhorrent to him. -1 John 4:8; Proverbs 12:10; Jeremiah 7:31; Jonah 4:11.

Next time: Disfiguring the "Portrait" In Modern Times

Watchtower, 2000