I
was really intrigued by this topic because I never really took into
consideration the difference and whether or not they were both two integrated
or separate elements. In truth, there is actually a radical distinction between
the body and the soul. The body was created and is part of nature while the
soul is a completely different component that is not derived from natural
things. The soul sets the foundation of reasoning, will and desire. In other
words, every irrational or rational decision that we have come to is because of
the soul that occupies our body. The body itself serves as a structure or a
template for the soul to act with. The soul tells and the body does. They go
hand in hand with one another but are entirely different. With this idea behind
the soul and our body another question can sort of be brought up because of
this. What is the purpose of human life? Is our purpose here to pass a test or do
we have no purpose? Maybe we will never know.
The soul is the spiritual aspect of one's being therefore it is more important in terms of Christianity. In judgement, the soul is also the focus. There is a real separation between body and soul for this purpose, that the soul is judged however, the body is solely the vessel for action. The soul has purpose after life more than it does on earth. This purpose is to exercise free will with God as a guide on earth and thus be able to live with God after death.
ReplyDeleteThe body and the soul are separate. The soul detaches from the body in death and therefore they must be different. When you look at a dead body the person you once knew is not there. Their being is gone but their physical matter remains. Therefore, our bodies are separate from our souls.
ReplyDeleteThis difference between the body and the soul can be illustrated by “chastity”. Chastity is purity of the soul and not necessarily of the body. It represents a spiritual state. As you mention, the soul is responsible of the actions of the body. It also comes back in the Augustine’s City of God’s, when they refer to first and second death. The most explanatory quote of this is “The first death drives the soul from the body against her will: the second death holds the soul in the body against her will. The two have this in common, that the soul suffers against her will what her own body inflicts.” (Book XXI, Ch. 2, p. 569) , from Tiffany’s presentation. The soul is immortal, when the body is a sign of our mortality.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what Sophie said, that during judgement day, the soul is what is judged (sins/deeds while on earth, etc.) and it leaves the body behind. The body is our means of living while on earth, which is why we're able to have earthly desires through our free will, while our soul is our living on Heaven and in the afterlife, and our free will in our afterlife doesn't consist of earthly desires, but rather a desire to be closer to God and be holier.
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