The spirit, soul or ghost of man, for now let us only consider the soul of man. Lets disregard ths spirit of man. When thinking of the spirit of man we think of exuberance. We can even have a spirited horse or dog but only man possesses a soul. The soul of man is considered a tangible part of man an yet an entity within itself. While the ghost of course is only of the dead.
Let us consider the soul. first let us consider if a man does indeed possess a soul wherein does that soul reside? Is it in the heart of man as some believe? Or could it reside only in the brain? A man is pronounced dead when the brain no longer functions. whereas at one time he was dead when the heart no longer beat. Most people think the soul resides within the entire body filling every living cell. filling the body as air fills a balloon.
Ah, but this being the case does big people have more soul than little people? Or is every ones soul the same. With small peoples souls having more density making them more compact while larger people have sparse souls giving them more volume. And in this way fit confortably within their own respective bodies. Of course the soul has no mass. Or no measurable amount anyway as the weight of man remains the same just after, as just before death.
But of course we don't know how long the soul remains inside the body after death. It could linger for a considerable time in hopes of a miraculous recovery. Or as most people seem to think it could zip out on its own at the very moment of death leaving only the gost of man behind with it's worthless decaying body and zip on up to heave, or slide down into the pits of hell as the case may be.
Is the soul responsible for the actions of man while he lives? Or is the physical man responsible while the soul only remains passive just there but uninvolved? If that be the case, it certainly doesen't seem right that it should be only the soul to receive the rewards or punishment for mans deeds.
Or is man himself influenced somehow by the soul to do the things he does and really has no choice in the matter? Does some of us then just possess an evil soul, while others of us are possessed by a kindred soul? Do we then only have the soul to blame for all the conflicts and troubles of man? It's nice to have a soul to blame though isn't it?
There might be some who believe man and soul act in tangent with each other. With each being responsible for the actions of the physical deeds of man. But if that be the case surely there would come times where conflict would arise between the two. After all their interest are hardly the same is it now? The interest of the physical man would be to receive his pleasures whatever they might be, while still alive here on earth, while the souls only concern would be the hereafter. And if their interest conflict, which would be the one who could make the final decision? Or are they somehow required to take turns?
There are those who believe that once a person dies the soul takes the form of a ghost and lingers here on earth. Hanging around to haunt the living, but wouldn't our own soul recognize the ghost even after it has left the body of another. Some believe they only reside in cemetaries while others believe they hang out where they died. If that is true it seems to me hospitals would be full of ghost. Hospitals are suppose to keep people from dying, yet most deaths occur in hospitals. But I have never known of a haunted hospital.
Others believe only violent deaths or murder cause the soul of man to become a gost and linger here on earth in hopes of avenging his killer and his killer's relatives throughout future generations. And then there are the old misers whose ghosts hang around to guard their hidden treasure. I myself believe the soul of man and ghost are two seperate things. The soul is a religious concept while the ghost falls within the realm of mystics. Of course I suppose mystics consider their belief a religion also. So maybe I am wrong.
My concern is the connection of the soul with living man and why after death the soul an eternal entity in its own right is allowed to zip off to its eternal reward or punishment as the case may be. While the body stays behind with it ghost to decay and return to dust.
And if the soul is indeed eternal, why then can it never find redemption for the sins committed by the human physical body of man, during the breaf time they were connected here on earth? And is the promise of eternal reward so binding that it is fulfilled regardless of the atrocities the soul might commit while receiving this eternal reward.
Perhaps God should rethink his solution to the eternal problems which might arise. After all since he created the imperfect men couldn't he have also created the imperfect soul? And eternity I think we must agree is certainly a very lomg time. Given all this time couldn't even a righteous soul become a little rebellious and stray?
Perhaps God actually has made provisions for just such an occurence, and just hasen't told anybody about it. If I was a soul who had made it to heaven I wouldn't set anywhere near the back door, especially if it felt a little warm back there. Perhaps some of those un-forgiven does find redemption after awhile, and make their way through the back door. And those heavenly souls who are now becoming rebellious are seated neer the back door, so as to be cast out, as heaven becomes overcrowded with the redeemed. It might even become necessary to completely recycle the whole crop every thousand year or so. Don't mess with God!
I believe this brings up some interesting questions to ponder. I readly admit I have no answers. While I'm sure your pastor or preast has answers to all these questions. But where does he get the answers? Not in the bible. Does his soul have a personal relationship with God who comes down and talks it over with him and tell him the amswers while keeping them a secret from the rest of us? And is he sure God isn't holding anything back? Or is it as I suspect? The possession of a soul is just wistful thinking. A soul I believe I can do without. Thanks but no thanks. |
