Eternal Souls?

Rikk Watts continues to amaze me with his wisdom and depth of insight.  I am listening to a shorter session now and today he introduced an interesting idea.  Rikk posited that the notion of an eternal soul is actually not biblical, but pagan.  He argues that Socrates was the guy who dreamed up the notion of an eternal soul so that he could deal with the differentiation between the body and the spirit.  The question he posed today was if Jesus does not grant you eternal life as a result of ones trust in him, is it biblical to argue that those who refuse his grace will suffer eternally apart from him?  I for one was intrigued by the question, and will delve deeper.  Hopefully I might even get a chance to ask Rikk personally as I plan to drop into Regent and knock on his door, with the hopes of wooing him to SJE for a weekend session.

Comments

[Joe]

Bear in mind, however, that the word "eternal" is very precise in theological and philosophical understanding. It does not mean the same thing as "immortal" or "infinite". "Eternal soul" would indeed be a term from Greek influence - and from any system which espouses reincarnation (transmigration of souls in the Greek world). Its roots predate Pythagorean influence on Greek thought.

Nor have Christian theologians traditionally espoused the view of an eternal soul. Eternal is a quality that belongs to God alone - it means that there is no beginning nor end. All created things - souls included - have beginnings, and hence are not "eternal" in the proper sense of the word. This is different from infinite - which has a beginning but no end, and immortal - "incapable of death".

But that's just off the top of my head, there is probably more to say after coffee...

[Joe]

ps - there is also a difference between a thing being eternal in and of itself, and "eternal" by virtue of its participation in the eternal life of God. Can I go 100km/h? No, but when I'm riding in the jeep, I can go 100km/h.