Is there an eternal soul?

A recent editorial in the LA Times by a mathematician claimed that modern science has proven beyond any real doubt that there is nothing eternal inherent within humans – no eternal soul. Of course, the first question that should arise for all of us is whether science is even equipped to tell us if we have an eternal soul. But let me suggest that the answer to that question really doesn’t matter. In fact, I suspect that he is correct. And if he is, then the choice for the human race is quite simple and quite stark. You see, most of the other religious alternatives, other than the monotheist religions and atheism, depend on an independent existence of the human soul, in order that they might migrate to the next life. But Judaism and Christianity in particular reject this concept. Rather they tell us that humans were created by God as a part of this universe. That should lead us to expect that we would be prey to the same second law of thermodynamics as anything else – and that would mean that eternity is no more possible for us than it is for this universe. But the Bible doesn’t stop there. Rather, we are told that it is God Himself, who exists outside of this universe and is therefore not subject to its laws, who will bring us back to life again. Now the Bible doesn’t say how He is going to do that – and I suspect that if it did we wouldn’t understand it anyway. For my money, Dr. John Polkinghorne may have the best answer, but the real point is that God is the one who will accomplish our resurrection. But is that more than just a hollow promise? It might be except for one thing – Easter! God raised Jesus from the dead with a new body but the same person. And He is going to do the same for you and I. Or as the Bible says, Jesus is the “firstfruits” of the resurrection from the dead. So, this Easter when the preacher says, “The Lord, He is risen,” you can give back the traditional response with a new sense of joy: “He is risen indeed!” And perhaps, under your breath, you can also repeat, “And so, too, will I be!” Happy Easter!

Pastor Ken