Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 6/30/2007

Question
hello..i would like to ask your opinion about body and soul...do you believe that man has soul? does the soul exists prior to the body? which comes first (body or soul) lastly, is there a christian view regarding the existence between body and soul? do they exist simultaneously?thank you so much..

-bon

Answer
Dear Bon,
   Thanks for writing.  You have a good question, perhaps akin to, "Is there more to life than eating, working and sleeping?"
   The accomplishments of humans speak for themselves, that they are not simply animals, even though physically there is not so much difference.  Humans use words, which are our link to our Creator, in whose image we were made.  
   John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  Then in verse 14 it says, "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us."  That God is three in one is outside our physical understanding, like the miracles written about in the Bible.  Humans have three parts, body, soul, and spirit, that exist simultaneously before death, which is separation of the body from the soul and spirit.  Because of the sin nature we inherited from Adam, we were born spiritually dead--separated from a holy, perfect God.  God the Son became human to bridge that separation by paying the consequences of our sin (separation from God--spiritual death, and separation from our bodies--physical death).  He offers us His eternal life if we entrust our sinful life to Him.
   John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  Even though our bodies temporarily will be separated from our soul and spirit by physical death, God offers us life forever with Him by believing His Word.  
   I pray that God's love will help you receive Him as your Lord and Savior from your sins, as I have.
   Priscilla