4

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=90 BGCOLOR="#CC9900" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="043005a0dwnjzk.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="EDWARD WATSONS WEBWORLD"><U><B>home</B></U></A><B> | </B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>EDWARD WATS</B><B>ON'S WEBWORLD</B></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION"><U><B>SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="1"><U><B>1</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="2"><U><B>2</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="3"><U><B>3</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><B>4</B><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="5"><U><B>5</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="6"><U><B>6</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="7"><U><B>7</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="8"><U><B>8</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="9"><U><B>9</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="10"><U><B>10</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id73.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="11"><U><B>11</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="12"><U><B>12</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="13"><U><B>13</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id76.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="14"><U><B>14</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="15"><U><B>15</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id78.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="16"><U><B>16</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id79.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="17"><U><B>17</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="18"><U><B>18</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="APPENDIX"><U><B>APPENDIX</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id82.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SECTION 1: CONCLUSION"><U><B>SECTION 1: CONCLUSION</B></U></A><B>   |   </B><A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABBREVIATIONS"><U><B>ABBREVIATIONS</B></U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>[MORMONISM. The Faith of the Twenty-first Century. Volume 1. Edward K. Watson. (Liahona Publications. Copyright © 1998 Edward K. Watson.) pp. 40-50. MORMONISM: Section 1, Chapter 4. All rights reserved.]</B></div> <bR> <div> <U>CHAPTER 4</U></div> <bR> <div> <B>What is “Spirit” “Soul” and “Matter”?</B> <B> What is Spirit Soul and Matter?  </B></div> <bR> <div>      This chapter examines the ontological status of Heavenly Father. Is he material or nonmaterial? God is supposed to be “spirit” but does him being “spirit” mean he is nonmaterial (<I>asomatos</I>)? </div> <div>      Mormonism doesn't see “spirit” and “matter” to be exclusionary but only different in degree. What is known as “spirit” is a form of “matter” that is unlike the normal states we're familiar with.</div> <div>      This view is sharply at odds with how “spirit” and “matter” are viewed by today's society.</div> <div>      Is the Mormon concept right or wrong? Since no one has been able to examine first hand what a spirit is composed of, we must rely on what the Scriptures actually say, not on what tradition or philosophy say. </div> <div>      If we accept the Bible as the Word of God, we must accept how it defines certain words and can't impose our own understanding on the meaning of these words.</div> <div>      God is “Spirit” but does this mean he is “nonmaterial” or does it mean he is “material” but in an unknown state?</div> <bR> <div> <B>What is a “</B> <B>spirit”? What is a spirit? </B></div> <bR> <div>      The common understanding of what “spirit” means is it's a formless force or energy that is the opposite of matter and is also occasionally  interchanged with the word “soul.” Surprisingly, the idea that a “spirit” is a nonmaterial force (it isn't comprised of matter such as protons, electrons and neutrons) isn't from the Bible but is inherited from  Greek Philosophy<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >1</FONT> that modern society has unconditionally accepted as fact. It is so deeply ingrained in our worldview that almost all accept such a definition without question, and any alternate understanding is immediately ridiculed and then rejected. </div> <div>      All the biblical references of “spirit” that our opponents use against us are automatically interpreted to mean nonmaterial but this common understanding of “spirit” is actually  foreign to the original writers of the Bible since it was never part of their worldview.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >2</FONT> The word “spirit” in Hebrew is from <I>rûah</I>, (7307)<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >3</FONT> and the Greek “<I>pneuma</I>,” (4151/4460) which normally means “breath, wind, air.”<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >4</FONT> A noticeable problem is the fact that these descriptions of <I>rûah/pneuma</I> are all items comprised of matter, <I>not</I> nonmaterial substances.</div> <bR> <div>  D&C <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>131:7-8 <I>There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter.</I></div> <bR> <div>      We believe our spirit is comprised of matter that is “more refined” than regular matter.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >5</FONT> This nicely eliminates the “interface”problem associated with a “nothingness” interacting with a “somethingness.” There has to be common-ground between any merger (in this case, spirit and body). </div> <div>      The three “normal”  states of matter found on earth are solid, liquid and gas. The fourth state of matter can be found within an area of extremely high temperature and pressure such as within stars and is called plasma. The fifth state of matter is called the  Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC), in which numerous atoms packed densely together act as if they're only one big  atom (a singular quantum state) at very, very low temperatures (a couple of billionth of a degree above absolute zero) and is the basis for the “atom lasers” which is due to the wave-like nature of matter.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >6</FONT></div> <div>      Most don't realize that “matter” is mostly space! Atoms themselves aren't solid balls but are mostly empty space. They are made up of elementary  (sub-atomic) particles with the nucleus comprising of protons and neutrons, with the electrons in orbit “somewhere”(because of Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle) around the nucleus. </div> <div>      The  solidity of matter is actually an illusion due to the electromagnetic forces associated with matter. If the atom was the size of a basketball, its nucleus, which comprises 99.9% of its mass would be so small as to be invisible to the naked eye,<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >7</FONT> being a hundred thousand times smaller than the atom itself.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >8</FONT> An ever clearer analogy would be to magnify the atom to the size of the earth. At this magnification, the nucleus would be the size of a domed baseball stadium at the center/core with all the areas aside from the tiny electrons being empty space!</div> <div>      Magnifying further down causes us to realize the protons and neutrons are comprised of triplets of quarks<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >9</FONT> (but not the electrons which are leptons). Quarks in turn are probably composed of smaller particles dubbed “preons” [quinks],<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >10</FONT> which also combine to make numerous other subatomic particles.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >11</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT><I>The</I> <I> densest matter is actually billions of times more space than matter when the atoms themselves are examined</I>. </div> <bR> <div>      Having our  spirits comprised of a type of matter (such as a network of sub-atomic particles of some sort with a half-life in excess of a proton) which is united with our physical bodies during mortality doesn't cause exclusionary conflict since such thinking betrays lack of understanding the sub-atomic world. A  neutrino is a real particle that can pass unimpeded through solid lead a billion kilometers thick. In fact, neutrinos are passing through you this very moment, as you read this book. <I>There isn't any valid scientific reason why a </I> <I>material spirit can't inhabit a material body. </I></div> <div>      Jesus never defined what the word “spirit” meant (especially pertinent to John  4:24) and it isn't the Bible but the  Greek heritage of the theologies of Christianity, Judaism and Islam which determined it to mean  “the opposite of matter.” Matter is <I>something</I> and its opposite is <I>nothing.</I> Insisting God is a spirit that is the opposite of matter means “God is nothing” which basically means “There is no God.” </div> <div>      The basic assumptions inherited from Greek philosophy that our society uses to define what is a “spirit” are: </div> <bR> <div> 1. It is formless. </div> <div> 2. It is a nonmaterial force. </div> <div> 3. It is ontologically invisible or non-discernable. </div> <bR> <div>      The assumptions behind these definitions also applies to humans and God's <I>ousia</I>. These naturally raises three questions:</div> <bR> <div> 1) Does the Bible teach a spirit is formless? </div> <div> 2) Does the Bible teach a spirit is nonmaterial?</div> <div> 3) Does the Bible teach a spirit is ontologically invisible or non-discernable? </div> <bR> <div>      It is enlightening to learn the true biblical stance on the subject. </div> <bR> <div> <B>How does the Bible use the word “spirit”? How does the Bible use the word spirit? </B></div> <bR> <div>      The Bible uses the word “spirit” in many ways and<I> not once </I>does it use it in reference to a  nonmaterial formless (either omnipresent or non-omnipresent) force:</div> <bR> <div> 1. The <I>Spirit</I> of God (undefined) moved upon the face of the waters- Gen  1:2.</div> <div> 2. Pharoah's <I>spirit</I> was troubled because of his dreams- Gen  41:8.</div> <div> 3. Jacob's <I>spirit</I> was revived when he found out his son Joseph was alive - Gen  45:27.</div> <div> 4. The Israelites had anguish of <I>spirit</I> because of being in bondage - Ex  6:9.</div> <div> 5. The wise-hearted have the <I>spirit </I>of wisdom - Ex  28:3.</div> <div> 6. The righteous's <I>“spirit</I> made willing” voluntary offerings for the tabernacle - Ex  35:21.</div> <div> 7. A husband's <I>spirit</I> of jealousy - Num  5:14.</div> <div> 8. The <I>spirit</I> which was upon Moses was shared with 70 righteous men - Num  11:17,25-29.</div> <div> 9. Caleb had another <I>spirit</I> within him (he was righteous) - Num  14:24.</div> <div> 10. God hardened the <I>spirit </I>of Sihon - Deut  2:30.</div> <div> 11. Their hearts melted and neither was there <I>spirit</I> in them anymore when they heard God dried up the water of the river Jordan for the Israelites to cross over into their land - Josh  5:1.</div> <div> 12. God sent an evil<I> spirit</I> to cause conflict between Abimelech and the men of Sechem - Judg  9:23. </div> <div> 13. His <I>spirit</I> came again and he revived after drinking water - Judg  15:19 / 1 Sam  30:12.</div> <div> 14. I am a woman of sorrowful <I>spirit</I> - 1 Sam  1:15.</div> <div> 15. No more <I>spirit </I>in the queen of Sheba after seeing Solomon's wisdom and wealth - 1 Kng  10:5.</div> <div> 16. Why is thy <I>spirit</I> so sad? - 1 Kng  21:5.</div> <div> 17. Elisha asked for a double-portion of Elijah's <I>spirit </I>- 2 Kng  2:9.</div> <div> 18. The LORD stirred up the <I>spirit </I>of Cyrus - 2 Chr  36:22.</div> <div> 19. God influenced/prompted their <I>spirit </I>- Ezra  1:5.</div> <div> 20. God's <I>spirit</I> is in his prophets - Neh  9:30.</div> <div> 21. Job had anguish of <I>spirit</I> and bitterness of soul - Job  7:11.</div> <div> 22. The <I>spirit</I> of God is in my nostrils - Job  27:3.</div> <div> 23. Man has <I>spirit</I> and <I>breath</I> - Job  34:14 / Isa  42:5.</div> <div> 24. My <I>spirit</I> was overwhelmed within me - Ps  142:3 / Ps  143:4.</div> <div> 25. My <I>spirit </I>faileth - Ps.  143:7.</div> <div> 26. God's<I> spirit </I>is good - Ps  143:10.</div> <div> 27. He who is of a faithful <I>spirit</I> is good - Prov  11:13.</div> <div> 28. He that is hasty of <I>spirit </I>exalteth folly - Prov  14:29.</div> <div> 29. The <I>spirit</I> is broken - Prov  15:13.</div> <div> 30. A broken<I> spirit</I> drieth the bones - Prov  17:22.</div> <div> 31. Wounded <I>spirit</I>? - Prov  18:14.</div> <div> 32. The <I>spirit</I> of man is a candle of the LORD and searches the inside of the belly - Prov  20:27.</div> <div> 33. Who knows if the <I>spirit</I> of man goes upward and the<I> spirit</I> of beasts go downward? - Eccl  3:21.</div> <div> 34. No man has power over the <I>spirit</I> to retain the <I>spirit</I> - Eccl  8:8.</div> <div> 35. The <I>spirit </I>returns to God while the body returns to the earth - Eccl  12:7.</div> <div> 36. <I>Spirit </I>of judgement/<I> spirit </I>of burning - Isa  4:4.</div> <div> 37. The <I>Spirit</I> of the LORD is the <I>spirit </I>of wisdom and understanding, <I>spirit </I>of counsel and might, <I>spirit </I>of knowledge and fear of the LORD - Isa  11:2.</div> <div> 38. The <I>spirit</I> of Egypt - Isa  19:3.</div> <div> 39. My <I>spirit</I> within me - Isa  26:9.</div> <div> 40.<I> Spirit</I> of deep sleep - Isa  29:10.</div> <div> 41. Erred in <I>spirit</I> - Isa  29:24.</div> <div> 42. Life of my <I>spirit </I>- Isa  38:16.</div> <div> 43.<I> Spirit</I> of heaviness - Isa  61:3.</div> <div> 44. Wherever the <I>spirit</I> went; their <I>spirits</I> went - Ezek  1:20.</div> <div> 45. The <I>spirit</I> of the living creature was in the wheels - Ezek  1:20-21.</div> <div> 46. In the heat of my <I>spirit</I> - Ezek  3:14.</div> <div> 47. The <I>spirit </I>of the living creature was in them - Ezek  10:17.</div> <div> 48. I will put a new <I>spirit</I> within you - Ezek  11:19 / Ezek  36:26.</div> <div> 49. Foolish prophets follow their own <I>spirit</I> and see nothing - Ezek  13:3.</div> <div> 50. Make yourselves a new heart and a new <I>spirit </I>- Ezek  18:31.</div> <div> 51. Every <I>spirit </I>shall faint - Ezek  21:7.</div> <div> 52. Nebuchadnezzar's <I>spirit</I> was troubled - Dan  2:1,3.</div> <div> 53. An excellent <I>spirit</I> was in Daniel - Dan  6:3.</div> <div> 54. <I>Spirit </I>of whoredoms - Hos  4:12 / Hos  5:4.</div> <div> 55. If a man walks in the<I> spirit </I>and falsehood do lie ...  - Mic  2:11.</div> <div> 56. They have quieted my <I>spirit</I> in the north country - Zech  6:8.</div> <div> 57. God formeth the <I>spirit </I>of man within him - Zech  12:1.</div> <div> 58. <I>Spirit</I> of grace and of supplications - Zech  12:10.</div> <div> 59. God will cause the prophets and unclean <I>spirits </I>to pass out of the land - Zech  13:2.</div> <div> 60. Familiar <I>spirits</I> (evil spirits) - Lev  20:27; 1 Sam  28:7-8; 1 Chr  10:13; etc.</div> <div> 61. Blessed are the poor in <I>spirit</I> - Matt  5:3.</div> <div> 62. David in<I> spirit </I>called him Lord - Matt  22:43.</div> <div> 63. The <I>spirit</I> is willing but the flesh is weak - Matt  26:41 / Mark  14:38.</div> <div> 64. Jesus perceived in his <I>spirit</I> that they reasoned within themselves - Mark  2:8.</div> <div> 65. He sighed deeply in his<I> spirit</I> - Mark  8:12.</div> <div> 66. My son has a dumb (mute) <I>spirit </I>- Mark  9:17.</div> <div> 67. The <I>spirit</I> tare (convulsed) him - Mark  9:20.</div> <div> 68. Jesus rebuked the foul <I>spirit</I> saying, “Thou dumb and deaf <I>spirit</I> ... ” - Mark  9:25.</div> <div> 69. In the<I> spirit</I> and power of Elias - Luke  1:17.</div> <div> 70. And the child grew and waxed strong in the <I>spirit</I> - Luke  1:80 / Luke  2:40.</div> <div> 71. You don't know what kind of <I>spirit</I> you are - Luke  9:55.</div> <div> 72. A woman who had a<I> spirit</I> of infirmity eighteen years - Luke  13:11. </div> <div> 73. Into thy hands I commend my<I> spirit </I>- Luke  23:46.</div> <div> 74. A <I>spirit </I>hath not a body of flesh and bones as ye see me have - Luke  24:39.</div> <div> 75. I saw the<I> Spirit</I> descending from heaven like a dove - John  1:32.</div> <div> 76. Upon whom thou shalt see the <I>Spirit </I>descending and remaining on him - John  1:33.</div> <div> 77. Except a man be born of water and the<I> spirit</I> ...  - John  3:5.</div> <div> 78. Born of the flesh is flesh; born of the <I>Spirit</I> is<I> spirit</I> - John  3:6.</div> <div> 79. Those who are born of the<I> Spirit </I>are like the sound of the wind - John  3:8.</div> <div> 80. The words I speak to you are <I>spirit </I>- John  6:63.</div> <div> 81. They were unable to resist the wisdom and <I>spirit</I> by which Stephen spake - Acts  6:10.</div> <div> 82. A certain girl had the<I> spirit</I> of divination - Acts  16:16.</div> <div> 83. If a <I>spirit</I> or an angel spoke unto him - Acts  23:9.</div> <div> 84.<I> Spirit</I> of holiness - Rom  1:4.</div> <div> 85. Newness of <I>spirit</I> - Rom  7:6.</div> <div> 86. Those after the <I>Spirit </I>do mind the things of the <I>Spirit</I> - Rom  8:5.</div> <div> 87. God the Father's <I>Spirit </I>dwells in you - Rom  8:11.</div> <div> 88.<I> Spirit</I> of bondage / <I>Spirit</I> of adoption - Rom  8:15.</div> <div> 89. The<I> Spirit</I> witnesses to our <I>spirit</I> - Rom  8:16.</div> <div> 90. The<I> Spirit </I>himself makes intercession for us - Rom  8:27.</div> <div> 91. The Father knows the mind of the<I> Spirit</I> - Rom  8:27.</div> <div> 92. God gave them the <I>spirit</I> of slumber - Rom  11:8.</div> <div> 93. God revealed them to us by his <I>Spirit</I> - 1 Cor  2:10.</div> <div> 94. Only the<I> Spirit</I> of God knows the things of God - 1 Cor  2:11.</div> <div> 95. <I>Spirit </I>of meekness - 1 Cor  4:21 / Gal  6:1.</div> <div> 96. Absent in body; present in <I>spirit</I> - 1 Cor  5:3.</div> <div> 97. There are diversities of gifts but the same <I>Spirit -</I> 1 Cor  12:4-13.</div> <div> 98. If I pray in an unknown tongue, my<I> spirit</I> prays but my understanding's unfruitful - 1 Cor  14:14.</div> <div> 99. The first Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam, a quickening<I> spirit</I> - 1 Cor  15:45.</div> <div> 100. They have refreshed our <I>spirits -</I> 1 Cor  16:18.</div> <div> 101. I have no rest in my <I>spirit </I>- 2 Cor  2:13.</div> <div> 102. The Lord is that <I>Spirit:</I> and where the <I>Spirit </I>of the Lord is, there is liberty - 2 Cor  3:17.</div> <div> 103. We have the same <I>spirit</I> of faith - 2 Cor  4:13.</div> <div> 104. If you receive another <I>spirit</I> which you didn't receive [from us] - 2 Cor  11:4.</div> <div> 105. God sent the <I>Spirit</I> of his son into your hearts - Gal  4:6.</div> <div> 106. The flesh and the <I>Spirit </I>are contrary to one other - Gal  5:16-18.</div> <div> 107. He who sows of the flesh receives corruption in the flesh; but he who sows to the <I>Spirit</I> shall of the<I> Spirit </I>reap everlasting life - Gal  6:8.</div> <div> 108. Be renewed in the <I>spirit </I>of your mind - Eph  4:23.</div> <div> 109. Word of God is the sword of the<I> Spirit -</I> Eph  6:17.</div> <div> 110. The supply of the<I> Spirit</I> of Jesus Christ - Phil  1:19.</div> <div> 111. I pray to God that your whole <I>spirit,</I> soul and body be preserved blameless - 1 Th  5:23.</div> <div> 112. The<I> spirit </I>of God's mouth - 2 Th  2:8.</div> <div> 113. God didn't give us the <I>spirit </I>of fear - 2 Tim  1:7.</div> <div> 114. The Word of God divides the soul and <I>spirit</I> - Heb  4:12.</div> <div> 115. The<I> Spirit </I>of grace - Heb  10:29.</div> <div> 116. The body without the<I> spirit</I> is dead - Jas  2:26.</div> <div> 117. Don't believe every <I>spirit</I> but test them if they're really from God since there are many false prophets in the world - 1 Jn  4:1.</div> <div> 118. Every <I>spirit </I>which confesses Jesus Christ comes in the flesh is of God - 1 Jn  4:2.</div> <div> 119. Every <I>spirit </I>which doesn't confess Jesus Christ comes in the flesh isn't of God and is the <I>spirit</I> of the anti-Christ. - 1 Jn  4:3.</div> <div> 120. <I>Spirit </I>of truth/<I>spirit</I> of error - 1 Jn  4:6.</div> <div> 121. The <I>Spirit</I> bears witness, the<I> Spirit</I> is truth - 1 Jn  5:6.</div> <div> 122. Apostates don't have the<I> Spirit -</I> Jude  1:19.</div> <div> 123. I was in the<I> Spirit </I>- Rev  1:10 / Rev  4:2.</div> <div> 124. Carried me away in the <I>Spirit</I> - Rev  17:3 / Rev  21:10 / Ezek  37:1.</div> <div> 125. Foul <I>spirit</I> - Rev  18:2.</div> <div> 126. The God of the <I>spirits </I>of all flesh - Num  16:22 / Num  27:16.</div> <div> 127. God made his angels <I>spirits </I>and his ministers a flaming fire - Ps  104:4 / Heb  1:7.</div> <div> 128. God weighs (judges) <I>spirits </I>- Prov  16:2.</div> <div> 129. Evil<I> spirits</I> who leave and then return bring more wicked <I>spirits</I> with them - Matt  12:45 / Luke  11:26.</div> <div> 130. The <I>spirits</I> of the prophets are subject to the prophets - 1 Cor  14:32.</div> <div> 131. Ministering <I>spirits</I> sent forth to minister to the elect - Heb  1:14.</div> <div> 132. The <I>spirits</I> of just men made perfect - Heb  12:23.</div> <bR> <div>      These passages cover every single conceptual usage of “spirit” found in the over 500 instances in the Bible. <I>Not once does the Bible explain what a “spirit” is,</I> while it is used in a way that makes it one of the most versatile words in the Bible.  <B>It is never used to mean nonmaterial substance.</B> It is used to mean  wind, breath, the invisible [never nonmaterial] part of man which exists despite death, a resurrected being, characteristics, disposition, states, God's power/gifts, personages (divine, benevolent, human and malevolent), and numerous other concepts.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >12</FONT> </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT>Simply saying “ God is a spirit” or “God is spirit” or  “angels are spirits” (Ps  104:4; Heb  1:7)13 <I>can't </I>prove anything about what “spirit” is composed of since the definition of what “spirit” means is absent in the Bible and in fact is problematic since the understanding of what it means by our opponents can't be found in the Bible.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Is a “spirit”</B> <B> formless? Is a spirit  formless? </B></div> <bR> <div>      Did the biblical writers believe a “spirit” is formless or did they believe it is in human form?</div> <bR> <div>  a) Matt <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>14:26 And <I>when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled,</I> saying, <I>It is a spirit</I> [<I>phantasma</I>]; and they cried out for fear.</div> <bR> <div>  b) Mark<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 6:49-50 But <I>when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit </I>[<I>phantasma</I>],and cried out: For they all saw him, and<I> were troubled</I>. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.</div> <bR> <div>  c) Luke <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>24:36-37 And as they thus spake, <I>Jesus himself stood in the midst of them,</I> and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and <I>supposed that they had seen a spirit </I>[<I>pneuma</I>]. </div> <bR> <div>  d) Job<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 4:15-16 Then <I>a spirit passed before my face</I>; the hair of my flesh stood up: <I>It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes,</I> there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,</div> <bR> <div>  e) Ezek<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 1:26 And above the firmament that [was] over their heads [was] the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne [was]<I> the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.</I></div> <div>  f) Ezek<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> 8:1-3 And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that <I>the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.</I> Then <I>I beheld, and lo a likeness</I> as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber. And<I> he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven</I>, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north; where was the seat of the image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy. </div> <bR> <div>      <B>(a) Matt </B> <B>14:26; (b) Mark</B> <B> 6:49-50 & (c) Luke </B> <B>24:36-37</B> What did they see? [ <I>phantasma</I>] (5326/5753) found in Matt  14:26/Mark  6:49 means “apparition/ ghost.”<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >14</FONT> It is from the word “<I>phaino</I>” (5316/5743) which means “to appear, be visible, to shine,”<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >15</FONT> and isn't from “<I>pneuma</I>” (4151/4460).</div> <div>      It is important to contrast these passages with Luke  24:36-37 since the <I>effect </I>of Jesus' appearance in Luke  24:36-37 is identical with what was perceived to be an apparition in the other two. Jesus suddenly appeared <I>within</I> their midst. The only difference is one appearance was seen at a distance which made identification impossible, resulting in the writers using the word “apparition” and the other occurred within close proximity to the witnesses making discernment easier. If the incident of Jesus walking upon water occurred immediately adjacent to the boat, Matthew and Mark would've never used the word “apparition” since he would be clearly discernable.</div> <div>      Did they understand the word “ spirit” or “apparition” to mean a formless being or did they see a “shape,” a “human shape” walking upon the water? Was this “spirit” <I>discernable</I>? </div> <div>      <B>(d) Job</B> <B> 4:15-16</B> Job couldn't specifically discern the spirit for recognition but he was able to see a general outline. He saw an image but had difficulty focusing on it to clearly discern its appearance. </div> <div>      <B>(e) Ezek</B> <B> 1:26 & (f) Ezek</B> <B> 8:1-3</B> Ezekiel said the spirit which carried him by his hair between heaven and earth was in human form [likeness] (also see Ezek  40-41). </div> <bR> <div>      Did these biblical writers believe a “spirit” is in human shape or did they believe in a formless ness of a “spirit”? What about the NT description that everyone in heaven, earth and the underworld (Phil  2:10; Rev  5:3,13) will kneel in adoration of Jesus' name. How can formless angels kneel and worship (Heb  1:6) if they aren't  in anthropomorphic form?</div> <bR> <div> <B>What is a “</B>  <B>soul”? What is a soul? </B></div> <bR> <div>      The word “soul” comes from the Hebrew “<I>nepeš</I>” (5315) and the Greek “<I>psuch</I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="WP MultinationalA Roman" ><I>‘</I></FONT>” (5590/6034) and normally means  breath,  life, human, self, the seat of personality, will, desire, perception, feeling, the “inward man” and the invisible [not nonmaterial] part of man.<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >16</FONT> The distinction between “spirit” and “soul” is very difficult to identify since their usage is sometimes interchangeable (e.g. Isa  26:9; Matt  6:25;  10:28; Luke  12:20; Acts  20:10 cf. Luke  8:55; 1 Cor  5:3;  7:34; Jas  2:26. Matt  26:38 cf. John  13:21. Ps  42:11 cf. 1 Kng  21:5. Ps  35:9 cf. Luke  1:47)<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >17</FONT> but at the same time are identified as  separate (1 Th  5:23; Heb  4:12; D&C  33:1). </div> <div>      For simplicity, Mormons usually say the spirit is our being, us, (D&C  93:33) which reside within our physical bodies. The union of the body and spirit (being alive) results in the soul (D&C  88:15) or what is called “ life.” This is accurate with the vast majority of scriptural passages but conflicts with some passages. </div> <div>      The entire concept of “spirit” and “soul” lacks formulation in the Bible but the majority of instances support this Mormon formulation as long as it's understood it can be used in the latter sense. </div> <bR> <div> <B>How does the Bible use the word “soul”? How does the Bible use the word soul? </B></div> <bR> <div> 1. Man became a living <I>soul</I> - Gen  2:7.</div> <div> 2. My <I>soul</I> shall live because of thee - Gen  12:13.</div> <div> 3. That<I> soul </I>shall be cut off - Gen  17:14.</div> <div> 4. As her <I>soul</I> was departing - Gen  35:18.</div> <div> 5. Any<I> soul</I> who eats blood shall be cut off - Lev  7:27.</div> <div> 6. Thou shalt love the LORD with all your <I>soul</I> - Deut  6:5.</div> <div> 7. His <I>soul </I>was grieved - Judg  10:16.</div> <div> 8. His <I>soul</I> was vexed to death - Judg  16:16.</div> <div> 9. She was in bitterness of <I>soul </I>- 1 Sam  1:10.</div> <div> 10. The child's <I>soul</I> came into him again - 1 Kng  17:21-22.</div> <div> 11. My <I>soul </I>is weary of my life - Job  10:1.</div> <div> 12. God holds in his hands the<I> soul </I>of every living thing and mankind's breath - Job  12:10.</div> <div> 13. You won't leave my <I>soul </I>in hell - Ps  16:10.</div> <div> 14. God brings up his <I>soul</I> from the grave - Ps  30:3.</div> <div> 15. My <I>soul</I> shall make her boast in the LORD - Ps  34:2.</div> <div> 16. I chastened my <I>soul </I>with fasting - Ps  69:10.</div> <div> 17. Thou hast delivered my <I>soul </I>from the lowest hell - Ps  86:13.</div> <div> 18. Their <I>soul</I> fainted in them because they were hungry and thirsty - Ps  107:5.</div> <div> 19. My<I> soul</I> is continually in my hand - Ps  119:109.</div> <div> 20. Only God can destroy a<I> soul; </I>not man - Matt  10:28.</div> <div> 21. I will say unto my <I>soul, Soul</I> ...  - Luke  12:19.</div> <div> 22. They smote all the <I>souls </I>with the sword and killed them. No one was left to breathe - Josh  11:11.</div> <div> 23. I saw the <I>souls</I> of them who were beheaded - Rev  20:4.</div> <bR> <div>      The OT uses “<I>nepeš</I>” to mean “ life” (Gen  9:4-5;  19:17,19;  32:30;  44:30)<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >18</FONT> “lives” (Gen  9:5; Josh  2:13;  9:24)<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >19</FONT> and  “breath” (Job  41:21).</div> <div>      Just as was the case with “spirit,” “soul” isn't defined in the Bible and our opponents can't prove it means “nonmaterial,” or “formless.”</div> <bR> <div> <B>[ENDNOTES]:</B></div> <bR> <div> 1.Early Israel didn't view God to be nonmaterial. The concept of God being nonmaterial derives from Plato, not the Bible. See ROT. pp. 72, 142. `The spirit of a substance is not an immaterial entity. Plato, with his notion of “ideas” as the ultimate reality, was the first thinker to assume the existence of immaterial realities.' ROT. p. 102.</div> <div> 2.DB. p. 842 “... there is no evidence that a concept of the immaterial [nonmaterial] was developed in the OT. Spirit is opposed not to the material (for which there is no Hb word) but to flesh: the mortal, corruptible, weak and sinful element in man. Spirit is not flesh; and the OT could say no more about it.”</div> <div> 3.NUW. pp. 240-241; ABDBHL. 7307; TWOT. 2131a; MDB. p. 854; BDBGHEL. pp. 924b-926a; WBDB-R. B9234; NUBD. Spirit; NIDNTT. 3:690-693; EDBW. p. 576; ISBE. Spirit.</div> <div> 4.BAGD. p. 674; FALGNT. 4242; SECB-G. p. 58c; CGEDNT. 4932; VEDBW-NT. pp. 593-594; ATGL. G4151; TDNT. 6:332 ff; NTGED. 4011; MDB. p. 854; EDNT. 3:117-122; NIDNTT. 3:689-690,693-708; NUBD. Spirit; EDBW. pp. 576-577; NAGL. 4151; ISBE. Spirit.</div> <div> 5.cf. OM. p. 150.</div> <div> 6.See BEC.</div> <div> 7.NYPLSDR. p. 299.</div> <div> 8.ISUBB. p. 16.</div> <div> 9.IU. p. 117.</div> <div> 10.With a nod and a wink to Gerard 't Hooft. ISUBB. p. 141.</div> <div> 11.NYPLSDR pp. 297-298.</div> <div> 12.NUW. pp. 593-594; ABDBHL. 7307; TWOT. 2131a.</div> <div> 13.And his ministers blazing fire? Angels are turned into the wind? This is from Ps  104:4 which says God uses the winds as his messengers and fire as his ministers. Some translations render this passage, “he makes his angels like winds.” See GELNT-SD 14.4.  </div> <div> 14.BAGD. p. 853; GELNT-SD 12.42; SECB-G. p. 75b; FALGNT. 5450; CGEDNT. 6338; ATGL. G5326; TDNT. 9:6 ff; EDNT. 3:415; NIDNTT. 3:324; NAGL. 5326; NTGED. 5164.</div> <div> 15.BAGD. p. 851; GELNT-SD. 14.37; SECB-G. p. 75a; FALGNT. 5440; CGEDNT. 6327; ATGL. G5316; TDNT. 9:1ff. </div> <div> 16.NUW. pp. 237-238; ABDBHL. 5315; TWOT. 1395a; BDBGHEL. pp. 659a-661b; WBDB-R. B6461; BAGD. p.893; FALGNT. 5715; CGEDNT. 6613; VEDBW-NT. pp. 588-589; SECB-G. p. 79a; ATGL. G5590; TDNT. 9:608 ff; NTGED. 5425; NIDNTT. 3:676-687; MDB. p. 854; NAGL. 5590; NUBD. Soul; EDBW. pp. 575-576.</div> <div> 17.Taken from. VEDBW-NT. p. 589.</div> <div> 18.Also see Ex  4:19;  21:23,30; Lev  17:11,14; Num  35:31; Deut  12:23;  19:21;  24:6; Josh  2:14; Judg  9:17;  12:3;  18:25; Ruth  4:15; 1 Sam  19:5;  20:1;  22:23;  23:15;  26:24;  28:9,21; 2 Sam  1:9;  4:8;  14:7;  16:11;  18:13;  19:5; 1 Kng  1:12;  2:23;  3:11;  19:2-4,10,14;  20:31,39,42; 2 Kng  1:13,14;  7:7;  10:24; 2 Chr  1:11; Est  7:3,7;  8:11; Job  2:4,6;  6:11;  13:14;  31:39; Ps  31:13;  38:12; Prov  1:19;  6:26;  7:23;  12:10;  13:3,8; Isa  15:4;  43:4; Jer  4:30;  11:21;  21:7,9;  22:25;  34:20-21;  38:2,16;  39:18; 44:30;  45:5;  49:37; Lam  2:19; Eze  32:10; Jon  1:14;  4:3.</div> <div> 19.Also see Judg  5:18;  18:25; 2 Sam  19:5;  23:17; 1 Chr  11:19; Est  9:16; Prov  1:18; Jer  19:7,9;  46:26;  48:6; Lam  5:9.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:ewatson@shaw.ca"><U>e-mail me!</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>