answers question.
When speaking of theology, there are different worldviews. We have dogmatic theology, systematic theology, and biblical theology, not to mention the numerous other theologies based on certain aspects of the Bible, which are often nothing more than dogmas based on assumptions turned into assertions.
Noting that there are three stages of theological development (biblical to systematic to dogmatic) helps us understand why there are different theologies; however, certain schools of theology do not distinguish between systematic and dogmatic theology. Likewise, these schools tend not to differentiate between the soul and the spirit as distinct entities. Moreover, in a similar vein, individuals from some of these schools tend not to distinguish between the Written Word of God and the Living WORD of GOD. Instead, they claim that the Written Word of God is alive and active, rather than recognizing that the distinction between the two is explicit in the truth that the Written Word of God bears witness to the Living WORD of GOD. For too many, this truth is obscured by the darkness of the god of this world, who lures them into the sin of bibliolatry.
- For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:12-13)
- You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (John 5:39-40)
- He is clad in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. (Revelation 19:13)
In the Scripture provided from the book of Hebrews, we can see that the Word of God mentioned in the text is alive and active and is referred to as male. From the Gospel of John, we learn that the Scriptures are unable to impart life; only those who come to Jesus are able to receive life (which, if not eternal, is not life). Just in case we need a revelation of what or who the Word of God really is, the last book of the Bible tells us what we need to know. The Book of Revelation informs us that the Word of God is the One whose robe is dipped in blood, which is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. The Son of God is the Living Word of God.
The Son of God is capable of distinguishing between the spirit and the soul of a human being. This means that the soul is not the spirit, and the spirit is not the soul. They are distinct elements (components, features) of the human constitution, as is the brain, which controls the autonomous functions of our body.
Interestingly, Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
People die every day. When people die, they are biologically dead. They did not ask to be born, but they die physically, and many people are killed by others. But Jesus said not to fear those who can only kill the body but not the soul and makes no mention of the spirit.
According to the Bible, we have a body, a soul, and a spirit. This is clearly stated when the Apostle Paul refers to those who are waiting for the resurrection unto eternal life.
- May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Clearly, the Bible teaches that there is a difference between the spirit of man and the soul, and, of course, the body. At the resurrection of the dead, those who are to appear before the Great White Throne Judgment will have been given resurrected bodies, but we read that if their name is not recorded in the Book of Life, along with the false prophet, they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire that was created for the Devil and his angels
- Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they shall reign with him a thousand years….The devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat upon it; from his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, by what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead in them, and all were judged by what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; 15 and if any one’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:6, 10-15)
Now, if the soul and the body are destroyed in the second death when people are thrown into the Lake of Fire, what happens to the spirit? Jesus indicates what happens to the spirit when he makes the statement that the fire is not quenched; those who are perceptive note that annihilation is not the plan because, for those subjected to the unquenchable fire, their worm does not die.
- Where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. (Mark 9:48)
The worm that never dies represents the judgment of sin and the eternal reliving of the events that are the reason why they are thrown into the Lake of Fire. The body is destroyed, the soul is destroyed, but the spirit is quickened to the truth. Sin brings forth death. Spiritual death is not like physical death. One is the cessation of life in a biological form; the other is an activation of the realization of the truth that is rejected: our Creator is Lord; our Creator is righteous; our Creator endorses our decision to reject Him—if we do not accept Him.
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