Who and What Is Man?

The world’s religions share a major belief: At the time of death, the soul separates from the physical body and departs to the hereafter—purgatory, nirvana, heaven or hell. This promotes the idea of an immortal soul that lives on, independent of one’s physical body.

Death is a mystery to humanity, and popular religion capitalizes on this. When dealing with death, many seek religion for reassurance and comfort. Professing Christianity—which claims to teach from the Bible—teaches the very opposite.

Let’s review the origin of the immortal soul doctrine. We will see that it does not come from the Bible. We will also look at facts that are so amazing as to shock those who have assumed such beliefs originated from Scripture. What God teaches about what is man and what is his ultimate destiny is truly fascinating.

To accept doctrines contradicting the Bible—such as the immortality of the soul—requires a denial of what God’s Word teaches. Notice this short, pointed statement: “Many reform Jews, while rejecting the doctrine of the resurrection of the body, accept the doctrine of the immortality of the soul” (“Resurrection,” The New Jewish Encyclopedia).

The Jewish Encyclopedia addresses the core of this issue: “The belief that the soul continues its existence after the dissolution of the body [death] is a matter of philosophical and theological speculation rather than of simple faith, and is accordingly nowhere taught in the Holy Scripture…The belief in the immortality of the soul came to the Jews from contact with Greek thought and chiefly through the philosophy of Plato, its principle exponent, who was led to it through Orphic and Eleusinian mysteries in which Babylonian and Egyptian views were strangely blended” (“Immortality of the Soul”).

Plato drew upon Babylonian and Egyptian speculations. His ideals were further developed by Aristotle. This school of thought, termed “Platonism,” was later revisited and adopted by philosophers and theologians of the second and third centuries. These philosophers developed the theological ideas adopted by the Catholic Church, making their modified gospel more acceptable to the elite intellectuals of that day—Gnostics and others with different schools of thought.

Some of the most influential philosophers contributing to Catholic theology were scholars such as Justin Martyr (AD 100-167), a Platonist (a follower of Plato). He strongly opposed Jewish practices and beliefs. Thus, he opposed the Law of God—including the Sabbath, which he termed “Judaizing.”

Tertullian (AD 150-220), a philosopher and lawyer from Carthage, Tunisia, was another Platonist. Also an advocate of Stoicism and Asceticism, he was instrumental in the development of monastic orders. Tertullian wrote extensively on doctrines such as the trinity and the immortal soul.

More than those preceding him, Origen (AD 185-254) of Alexandria, Egypt, blended Platonism with Catholic theology. His philosophy became known as neo-Platonism, which strongly advocated the belief in the immortal soul.

Despite total lack of biblical foundation, a number of other philosophers, writers and theologians contributed to this belief. Even today, modern Christianity vainly attempts to use the Bible to prove and explain these pagan theories.

What does the Bible really teach?

Man—A Mortal Soul

(1) Upon being created and God imparting to him “the breath of life,” did Adam become a living soul? Genesis 2:7.

The word “soul” is translated from the Hebrew term nephesh, meaning a breathing creature or animal. Throughout Genesis, nephesh is translated as “creature” when referring to animals. Nephesh is even found in the book of Numbers on several occasions to represent a dead body. This word pertains to a physical body—animal or human. Adam became a living soul and, upon death, he was a soul that had ceased living!

(2) What would happen to Adam if he failed to obey God’s instructions? Genesis 2:17.

This did happen. Adam and Eve did eventually die.

(3) Who told Eve she would not die if she disobeyed God’s instructions? Genesis 3:4.

Read Genesis 3:1-6 for the full context. The serpent—Satan—first exposed human beings to the doctrine of the immortal soul.

(4) What happens to the soul that sins? Ezekiel 18:4, 20.

(5) What is the end result, or wages, of sin? Romans 6:23.

(6) What event befalls both humans and beasts at the end of their lives? Ecclesiastes 3:19.

(7) Where does man go after he dies? Ecclesiastes 3:20-21; 12:7.

The Hebrew word translated “spirit” in Ecclesiastes 3:21 is ruwach. The correct translation of ruwach is “air, breath or wind” and occasionally “spirit.” Ecclesiastes 12:7 clearly answers the question in Ecclesiastes 3:21.

(8) Are there any other verses that support Ecclesiastes 3? Psalm 49:12, 20.

(9) Does God’s Word refer to physical man as mortal or immortal? Romans 6:12; Job 4:17.

(10) What happens to people and animals when their breath is removed? Psalm 104:29; 146:4.

(11) Does God clearly differentiate between flesh and spirit? John 3:6.

(12) What is wrong with the physical, carnal mind? Romans 7:18; 8:7.

Blood—The Wellspring of Physical Life

(1) What did God instruct the Israelites regarding the blood of animals? Deuteronomy 12:23.

In verse 23, “life” is translated from nephesh. Just as the breath sustains life, the blood, providing oxygen to the cells, is the wellspring of physical life for animals and man.

(2) Does God emphasize abstaining from ingesting animal blood? Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:11, 14.

God clearly shows a certain sanctity for life, typified by the blood—showing that the shedding of blood atones (pays the price) for sin by reason of the life within it. In Leviticus 17:11, nephesh is translated “soul,” where the context clearly means “life”—life within the blood.

(3) Isaiah 53:10 shows that Jesus Christ was to become an offering for sin, as the Father and the Word (Jesus) had previously determined. How was this to happen? Verse 12.

Christ became a sacrifice for sin by offering His soul—His physical life. Jesus’ own lifeblood was poured out unto death as the ultimate atonement for sin.

(4) Are the dead conscious and able to think? Psalm 146:4; 115:17; 6:5; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 10.

These verses show that all thoughts cease at death.

The Spirit in Man

(1) Although mankind suffers the same fate as animals—death—does man have a far greater purpose? Genesis 1:26-27.

Not only was man given dominion over all the physical creation, he was also created in God’s image. This entails not only a physical resemblance, but also mental attributes on a far higher plane than animals. God placed a certain element inside the human brain that raised it to a higher level—a human mind.

(2) While man is a soul, what has God placed within the human brain, giving man the ability to think and reason? I Corinthians 2:11.

Man himself is not a spirit. The human spirit is an element added to the human brain. This dimension added to his brain is what sets him apart from all other living creatures.

(3) Did God form the spirit of man to be placed within him? Zechariah 12:1.

This spirit that God placed within man does not have a separate consciousness of itself. It cannot function apart from the sensory organs that provide input to the mind through the physical senses. Although this human spirit is not a separate entity, it is spirit essence, which expands the human brain into the human mind. It is this element within the mind that Satan led the ancient philosophers to perceive as an immortal soul. But the human spirit is limited to knowledge of physical things—not spiritual.

(4) Besides imparting the ability of creative forethought and reasoning, does the spirit in man also motivate him to achieve physical accomplishments? Proverbs 18:15.

The human spirit can help one aspire to higher levels of accomplishment, but it is still limited to the physical plane.

(5) How then, can man, limited to physical knowledge, come to understand spiritual things? I Corinthians 2:9-14.

The Spirit of God far exceeds the human spirit. The gulf between the understanding that is possible through God’s Spirit and that which is possible by the spirit of man is far greater than the gulf between the human mind and the animal brain. Only when the Spirit of God—the Holy Spirit—enters the human mind and guides the spirit in man can one come to understand spiritual matters.

A Spiritual Dimension Opened for Man

(1) Although now only mortal, can man acquire immortality? I Corinthians 15:53-54; Romans 6:23.

(2) Who is the only Being that has existed as a physical human, but is now immortal? I Timothy 1:16-17.

Christ set the pattern for those who believe Him to attain eternal life.

(3) How did Christ answer the man who asked how he could attain eternal life? Matthew 19:17.

(4) Is obedience a requirement for receiving the Holy Spirit? Acts 5:32.

(5) Who will be changed to immortal spirit beings at the time appointed by God? Romans 8:11.

(6) Has King David already ascended into heaven as an immortal soul, or is he still dead? Acts 2:29, 34.

The Resurrection—The Hope of True Christians

(1) Did David prophesy of the resurrection of Christ? Psalm 16:10.

Acts 2:27 quotes this same scripture.

(2) How can we be sure this prophecy refers to Jesus? Acts 2:30-31.

The Greek word in Acts 2:27, 31 translated “soul” is psuche. This word could be translated as “breath” and “life,” just as the Hebrew word nephesh. Hence, the body of Christ was not left in the grave to deteriorate—He was resurrected.

(3) Does the Bible show that the unrepentant—who lack God’s Holy Spirit—are destined to perish? Luke 13:3-5.

If all humanity had immortal souls, they would not die or perish. But death is the natural course of mortal mankind.

(4) Why was Adam, after he had sinned, not allowed to eat of the tree of life? Genesis 3:22-24.

In verse 22, we read, “lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever.” Adam and Eve did not have immortal souls—only by eating of the tree of life would they have received the Holy Spirit, thus imparting them with eternal life.

As mentioned earlier, Satan’s statement to Eve, “you shall not surely die,” is the same lie he has fostered by way of false religion—that mankind has an immortal soul. Had Adam and Eve not sinned, but rather chosen to obey God and eaten from the tree of life, they would have received the Holy Spirit.

(5) If Christ had not risen from the dead, would our faith be in vain? I Corinthians 15:14-18.

(6) What does I Corinthians 15:20-22 assert about Christ’s Resurrection?

Not only did Paul personally witness the resurrected Christ after being called, he was also trained and tutored directly by Jesus (Gal. 1:15-18). The apostles also saw Christ a number of times after His Resurrection, and even spoke directly with Him (John 20-21; Luke 24; Mark 16; Matt. 28). The apostles would have never been willing to be martyred for what they would have known to be a hoax.

(7) How did Job answer his own question, “If a man die, shall he live again?” Job 14:14-15.

(8) Where are some other verses in the Old Testament in which resurrection—so central to the belief of God’s true servants—is referenced? Psalm 17:15; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2.

(9) Will the dead soon hear the voice of Christ and be raised up in resurrection? John 5:25; Ephesians 5:14.

Note that it is the dead who instantaneously awake to a new life upon resurrection. No mention is made of immortal souls, standing by, awaiting the resurrection.

Final Issues

(1) Many read verses such as I Thessalonians 4:17 or Philippians 1:23 and assume that phrases such as “to be with the Lord” or “to be with Christ” mean that souls have gone to heaven. What do these phrases really mean?

The first phrase deals with the time of the resurrection. Those resurrected will be with Christ, reigning on Earth as kings and priests (Rev. 5:10; 20:6).

The second phrase (Phil. 1:23) has to do with Paul’s desire to be with Jesus Christ, as every convert would want. But heaven is not mentioned in this context. Neither is the timeframe mentioned as to when he would be with Jesus. The answer is given in II Timothy 4:6-8. Verse 8 shows the timeframe Paul had in mind. The phrase “at that day” meant the time of the Return of Christ and the resurrection, when Paul—along with others—would receive their crowns.

(2) If souls were immortal, they would be indestructible. Can souls actually be killed or destroyed? Matthew 10:28.

In the above scripture, the meaning of “soul” applies to life rather than the physical breathing creature. This life certainly refers to the spirit-begotten life that begins once someone receives the Holy Spirit. Yet this embryonic stage of life is not immortal—not until one is changed to a spirit being does he “put on” immortality (I Cor. 15:52-54).

(3) What does “earnest of the Spirit” mean? II Corinthians 5:5.

The term “earnest” means a small portion of the Holy Spirit that God gives to demonstrate His agreement to give eternal life to the recipient who remains faithful. The recipient must allow the Spirit to lead him toward spiritual growth and maturity. The small portion of the Spirit is given in advance as a pledge of the full Spirit body—changed at the resurrection.

You can now better appreciate verses such as Psalm 8:4-6: “What is man, that You are mindful of him? And the son of man, that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honor. You made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things [ultimately the entire universe] under his feet.”

You should now have clearer insight into who and what man is. Human beings are far more transitory than most have thought, yet with far greater potential for glory and honor than we could ever imagine.

The hope of true Christians is resurrection into the God Family—not the false hope of an immortal soul separating from the body at death. For a greater understanding of this vital subject, review our booklets Is There Life After Death? and What Science Will Never Discover About Your Mind.