Fall 2007 Online Certificate Students:
View all sessions below. Then log all your comments, questions, discussion question answers, criticisms, or thoughts below.
NOTE: This is not the place for general discussion and questions. Go to the foyer for general discussion and refer to the FAQ on the right for question. Time spent in the comments section will apply toward your one hour of community time per week. To download audio sessions, visit the course homepage on the TTP site. The next session will be posted each Wed.
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When was the soul created? Does God directly create each soul ex nihilo placing them in the human body or does He create the soul intermediately through the parents as He creates the physical part of man? If he creates the soul directly, when does He “insert” the soul? At conception? Birth? Or sometime in between? This session explores a subject that most Christians have never thought about in a significant and critical manner but has many implications on social issues such as abortion. In the end, the student should leave with a further understanding on how Gnosticism finds its way into Christianity affecting our most fundamental views about man.
What are the negative effects of Gnosticism? [9:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download When and how was our soul created? Part 1 [18:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download When and how was our soul created? Part 2 [16:53m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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September 25th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
H & S Session 4
1. I think the study of the creation of the soul is relevant. Thinking through this issue helps us to understand the nature of sin; which also clarifies other areas of theology. And what we believe in this regard affects some of our choices and views, i.e. abortion.
2. The theory that our souls pre-existed can be seen in people’s beliefs such as: reincarnation, karma, déjà-vu, soul mates, kindred spirits.
3. The creation view of the soul might be attractive because it’s a view that was held by some early church fathers and the idea of a separation of the soul and body has Biblical support.
4. I think parents can be intermediary causes of the soul in the same way that parents are intermediaries in the creation of the body. God uses secondary means in many areas of our lives even though He is sovereign.
5. I believe a creationist view can be consistent with support of abortion since it’s uncertain at what point God places the soul in the body.
6. Most people have not dealt with the issue of the creation of the soul possibly because it is not clear-cut in Scripture. Learning about the various theories is very challenging and might alter long-held beliefs, which can be uncomfortable.
7. Learning the various views about when the soul was created has challenged my thinking.
October 13th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Discussion Questions Session #4
Discussion Question #1
Yes, while it is not important to the salvation message, it does make one think about how God created us.
Discussion Question #2
I think many people believe in the pre-existence theory by stating the belief in various ideas like reincarnation. They profess other religions that offer a way of progressing to upper levels by the living of a better life than the one before.
Discussion Question #3
It shows that God is intimately involved with the creation of each person at their time of creation. And with the tradition of the Church supporting this belief, it makes it just that more receptive.
Discussion Question #4
Yes, just as God no longer ‘creates’ people in the same way that He created Adam, it stands reasonable that He would use a similar process to create the soul.
Discussion Question #5
No, I don’t think anyone who holds to a strong moral standard could support abortion no matter when they believe the soul is joined with the body. It is God’s creation and not ours to destroy.
Discussion Question #6
Mostly because it is not relevant to the salvation message.
Discussion Question #7
The Traducian theory is the most compelling. I have never heard of it before this class, but it seems extremely plausible. I have always been a creationalist (even though I didn’t know it), but the bible does say God ceased creation after the sixth day. You have really given me ‘food for thought’ here.