Just what is spirit

[Nathan]

I don't buy it . . .they were discussing his death . . .Peter was freaking out about wanting to give homage to all three of them . . .Jesus had revealed his true nature to them . . .nothing futuristic about any of that other than their conversation was pertaining to something yet to come . . . there is no references after this where Abraham, Moses and Jesus were reunited.

I believe what really was going on there was God was restoring that which the Israelites lost in the ark . . .they lost the manna and the rod that budded . . .manna being Christ, the rod being Aarons was considered to be the mouthpiece of Moses . . .Elijah was representing the prophets in that he was the first to actually raise up schools of prophets . . .he was to prophets was Moses was to the law.  So when Elijah and Moses both appeared with Jesus, it was symbolizing the restoration of the heart of God . . .the innermost articles within the ark.

As for the inactive part . . .there's no pattern to life/spirit being inactive.  It's always moving, breathing . . .I believe the soul side of things is inactive, but not the spirit.  We are not souls, we are spirits in which souls manifest when our spirits inhabit bodies . .

[micah7:9]

We are hobbled to the earthy for we have been taught that the heavenly is somewhere other that within and among us. We are afraid to believe in Jesus and that we are above all that is below, WE ARE A NEW CREATURE but we live in fear. I say Glory!

I agree with everything you just said, Micah.

But, I showed you the word 'pneumatikos' because I believe it is referring to spiritual beings.
Where are "beings" or "spiritual beings" found in the Bible?

I also believe these spiritual beings are involved in things for good or evil.  Ephesians 6 is talking about evil spiritual beings that we are to wrestle [vibrate] against.  But it's interesting that one of the definitions is 'human ethereal,' implying that we are also spiritual beings.b]"ethereal"[/b]


Where are "spiritual beings" discussed in the Word?[/b[/size]


•aeriform: characterized by lightness and insubstantiality; as impalpable or intangible as air; "figures light and aeriform come unlooked for and melt away"- Thomas Carlyle; "aerial fancies"; "an airy apparition"; "physical rather than ethereal forms"
•of or containing or dissolved in ether; "ethereal solution"
•celestial: of heaven or the spirit; "celestial peace"; "ethereal melodies"; "the supernal happiness of a quiet death"


First definition 'aeriform.'--•resembling air or having the form of air

I know you'll never agree we have celestial, ethereal, spirit bodies--but it's something that I believe.  Right now, in this aeon,  Satan has the power over the 'air.'

You are correct in what you say, that I will not agree, at least at this point.
That is the very question of my post. Man has his "ideas" and mans imagination is powerful, and when man is asked just what is spirit, it is mans conception that is given to prove what man does not understand.
I am in the boat as well, and as I recall Peter was called out of the boat and for a second Peter, I believe was in The Spirit, but then he began to go under....WHY....I reflect on Jesus' statement... Luk 18:8  I say to you, that He will execute the justice to them quickly; but the Son of Man having come, shall he find the faith upon the earth?'
Still, I believe that is Spirit.
I believe and reason that the Son of Man has come, only I, as many have been taught it is unreachable for the called, To day.

Ephesians 2:2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

I saw a good movie about this :Ink.

[micah7:9]

Greetings reFORMer and micah7:9:

1 Pet 3:19
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison.

Hummmm,.... so when the Lord Jesus Christ spoke to SPIRITS in prison...he was consulting with familiar spirits and necromancy? SHAME ON HIM.

This word spirit, I understand and reason to mean souls which is a breathing creature.
And one must understand that God Is Spirit, so all spirits are from and out of Him. No consulting with familiar spirits or necromancy. He Is Spirit (John 6:24) and He is the Father of spirits.(Heb. 12:9)

No consulting with familiar spirits or necromancy. He Is Spirit (John 6:24) and He is the Father of spirits.(Heb. 12:9) [/b]

Then according....your views also make Jesus Christ guilty of "incarnating" and "channeling."
SHAME ON HIM again.

I stand with Christ and I will NEVER make any of his work an abomination.
I stand with Christ and you.

Most of what happens in the spirit world - we really know little if any about it.


Ephesians 5:1 commands us to be imitators of Christ. Jesus Himself stated many times that He came as an example and, over 30 times, the New Testament uses some tense of the phrase "follow me", "follow Him" or "followers of Christ."
The word "followers" can be traced back to the Greek word "mimos" which means "to imitate." From the word "mimos", we can easily see from where the English words "mime" and "mimic" are derived.

Scripture is loaded with examples revealing how and what one must do in order to be an imitator of Christ. Love your enemies. Forgive those who have sinned against you. Heal the sick.
Cast out devils. Set captives free. Make disciples.
Visit the imprisoned, the infirmed and feed the hungry. Things like that, right?

So how's all that coming along anyway?

Peace my friends, AJ.


.

[Molly]

Micah I can't understand your post.  If you could make it a little clearer by formatting it.

EVERYONE PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SITUATION IN JAPAN.  As one newsman put it, the situation is dire if not desperate.  There are four reactors in some stage of [pre?]meltdown, and now they are dropping water on them from the sky?  This is unbelievable.  Please pray.

[micah7:9]

My response is in the bold (several days old)

The Lord has had me praying for Japan from the very first, I happened to be awake when the first news came over FOX. From what I have seen on FOX the Japanese are a people to admired in there stability in the face of what I would call total devastation. Yes I pray for those people.

[micah7:9]

Micah I can't understand your post.  If you could make it a little clearer by formatting it.

EVERYONE PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SITUATION IN JAPAN.  As one newsman put it, the situation is dire if not desperate.  There are four reactors in some stage of [pre?]meltdown, and now they are dropping water on them from the sky?  This is unbelievable.  Please pray.

It was not my intent enlarge my responses that big.Tryed to reduce them but alas it did not work.

[micah7:9]

I realize my posts cause different emotions to arise in this little forum community, and I may be misunderstood and I may not have the finesse that others have when responding or putting forth a question.
I find an apology for this weakness of action, out of the question, this is how I am.
I also believe that my post "Just what it spirit," is a good question and could use more response than it has, but that is only my opinon. Someone out there probably knows just what spirit is...I would like to hear more from others, it can only help all who have considered the thought. 
I am gratefull for the ones who have responded. Yes, it is true that we may not agree, and in my case you can almost figger that what I have to offer will cause an awe and several oohs by the the person reading the post, perhaps with a silent shake of the head... with  hands not even touching the keys for the response. And a capital WHAT? rolling back on the vocal cord.
But come on...I like to know "Just what is spirit." And thank and I hope the Lord will continue to bless. :bigGrin:

[micah7:9]

Paul didn't talk about it that I know of, other than to say "it is raised a spiritual body".

I don't know, but do you think it could be something like Jesus had after the crucifixion and his resurrection?  He was seen by people, ate food, but could apparently pass through walls and "transport" from one place to another.  Could it be something so "foreign" to us, we really can't get a good handle on it, as none of us have (probably) seen one?   :dontknow:

Or do you think it's something else, brother micah?

1Co 15:44  it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body; there is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body;

As far as I can tell in my reading, this is the only place where we see the use of a "spiritual body."  There is no speak that I can find, no other verses or information of "spiritual bodies" other than christian and religious speak from orthodox religion.
I do not believe that it is "foreign" to us, for we "claim to believe," still (and I may have said something like this on a response post earlier) we dont "walk out on whatever it maybe,"  as Peter, who saw his Master walking on the water and was ready to come meet Jesus, and Jesus said "Come," Peter ventured forth and began to walk on the water, but the sea was overwhelming in his mind, he began to sink...and who helped the sinking man, Peter,(a stone).... who stepped forward to help the slave/servant who stepped out on the raging sea to go (or COME to his Master) no one else but the Master of Love....Jesus.
I contend it was that "faith" that "love" that "forgetting all of what he was" that was SPIRIT, not the spirit, not a spirit, but the very SUBSTANCE that is I AM.
That is SPIRITUAL. Just what is this "spiritual body."
BODY G4983 sōma ...the body (as a sound whole)
From G4982  sōzō   to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.
I will let you all respond to spiritual= "pneumatikos" that is  From G4154; a current of air, that is, breath

[reFORMer]

Consider the metaphor comparing electricity in a lightbulb with spirit.  The bulb represents the body.  The electric current in the lightbulb produces light as the spirit in a body produces the soul.  The soul is thought, will, and emotion.  Rather than following the impulses of the flesh and producing a carnal mind we are to be given over to the spirit.  Because of the weakness of the flesh we become slaves of either flesh or the spirit.  By becoming incarnate Jesus has sanctified our being in the flesh, only it must be brought into subjection to the spirit.  There is a soul according to the flesh which is death, but when disposed to spirit the soul, or psyche (Greek) is life and peace.

Inherent in the Greek language itself is a metaphor of spirit, soul and body.  Body is "soma," and, as flesh, is three-fourths water.  Spirit in Greek is BLOWeffect according to A. E. Knoch.  He also gives "Psyche," what we call soul, the meaning of COOLeffect.  The spirit blows on the water and the effect produced is cooling.

Many think of the soul as the "inner man."  Actually the spirit is the inner man, though it is confused with the soul, being dead in trespasses and sins and our walking according to the spirit of stubborness.  When regeneration occurs, the Spirit of God (that Jesus says comes in His name) by inhabiting our our bodies with us and in union with our spirits, divides (Grk:  merismos) the soul from the spirit and quickens the spirit to "newness of life."  So we are raised to sit in the heavenlies (or, celestials) with Christ; indeed, He, "...hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ..." (Ephesians 1:3, AV)

Ephesians 2:1-10 (Concordant Literal Translation)...
1 And you, being dead to your offenses and sins,
2 in which once you walked, in accord with the eon of this world, in accord with the chief of the jurisdiction of the air, the spirit now operating in the sons of stubbornness
3 (among whom we also all behaved ourselves once in the lusts of our flesh, doing the will of the flesh and of the comprehension, and were, in our nature, children of indignation, even as the rest),
4 yet God, being rich in mercy, because of His vast love with which He loves us
5 (we also being dead to the offenses and the lusts), vivifies [i.e., makes alive the spirit of] us together in Christ (in grace are you saved!)
6 and rouses [i.e., awakens the soul of] us together and seats us together among [in, plural] the celestials, in Christ Jesus,
7 that, in the oncoming eons, He should be displaying the transcendent riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For in grace, through faith, are you saved, and this is not out of you; it is God's approach present,
9 not of works, lest anyone should be boasting.
10 For His achievement are we, being created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God makes ready beforehand, that we should be walking in them.



(Don't forget to mark the words:  "spirit," "spirits," and "spiritual" in 1st and 2nd Corinthians. examining the context in which they appear!)

[micah7:9]

Thank you very much, but without sounding to well, I dont know, that is the same BS that is always  handed down to the folk. I was not asking about the weakness of the flesh.
All the cool words as "psyche" dont mean nothing to answer the question. Inner man, baah humbug! Ya all always go back to that "soul" stuff, read Gen. 2:7 yeah as time would have its changes, soul took on a different meaning in the NT, but that does in no way change what a soul is..." and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature. now that according to the Bible is a living soul. Man does not HAVE a soul, man was not GIVEN a soul...MAN IS A SOUL.

Now besides that, is there a clear thought as to just what is the spirit? Jesus said...Joh 6:63 the spirit it is that is giving life; the flesh doth not profit anything; the sayings that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life;

We must ask To Day, what is "spirit" for it is spirit that is the veheicle, the source, the substance, that makes up all that we believe and embrace and accept that we shall be...Co 15:52  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, in the last trumpet, for it shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we--we shall be changed:

Just what is spirit

[Molly]

pneumatikos
G4152


1) relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as part of the man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ

a) that which possesses the nature of the rational soul

2) belonging to a spirit, or a being higher than man but inferior to God

3) belonging to the Divine Spirit

a) of God the Holy Spirit

b) one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God

4) pertaining to the wind or breath; windy, exposed to the wind, blowing



versus


sarkikos

G4559

1) fleshly, carnal

a) having the nature of flesh, i.e. under the control of the animal appetites

1) governed by mere human nature not by the Spirit of God

2) having its seat in the animal nature or aroused by the animal nature

3) human: with the included idea of depravity

b) pertaining to the flesh

1) to the body: related to birth, linage, etc



Micah, from these words we can see there is pneumatikos which are spiritual beings, not man, which are higher than man and lower than God.

We also see there is a part of man that is akin to God--the rational soul, and that man can be totally filled and governed by the Spirit of God.--which I think would put man on an equal footing with these other spiritual beings, and, in fact, superior to them.

What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how
infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and
admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like
a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals—
--Shakespeare, Hamlet

[Ross]

Hi;
2 Tim 1;7 " For God has NOT given us a spirit of cowardice, but of Power and Love and Correction."
1 Tim 1;12 " I am grateful to Him that empowers me, Christ Jesus our Lord."
2 Thess 2;13,14 " But we are bound to give thanks to God continually concerning you, brethren beloved by the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning to salvation, in sanctification of spirit and belief of the truth, unto which He called you through means of our glad-message to an acquiring of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
John 4;23,24 " But there comes an hour and now is, when the real worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for even the Father is seeking such as these as His worshippers. God is spirit; and they that worship Him must needs worship Him in spirit and truth."
Acts 1;8 " But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you."

You will have heard, read, seen many scriptures that say all these scenarios. What does it mean personally?
I am personally convinced that we know His presence when there is a personal inexpicable power that actually fills every part of our being. Power that I have no say in and is a literal gut wrenching experience. This seems to be the very thing Paul refers to when he said I will boast in the Lord. For my power is made complete in my weakness.Most glady will I boast in my weaknesses that the POWER of Christ may spread a tent over me.[2 Cor 12;9]

The give away part about if that power is real or false is stated in ;
1 John 4 2-4 " Hereby do you perceive the Spirit of God;
every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ as having come in the flesh is of God;and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not of God, and this is the antichrist, touching which you have heard that it comes; it is even now already  in the world. Dear children, you are of God and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world."

1 John 4;12,13 "  No-one has gazed upon God at any time; if we love on another, God lives in us and His love has been perfected in us. Hereby we perceive that we are living in Him and He in us, in that He has given to us of His spiritand we for ourselves are bearing witness that the Father sent forth the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever shall confess that Jesus Christ is th Son of God, God lives in him and he in God."

[Nathan]

Isn't it crazy that we have a hard time explaining something that would appear to be as simple as what the spirit is?

In a word, for me . .it's essence.  Spirit is also not a Hebrew word.  There is no word in the Hebrew vocabulary for spirit.  The word they use and has been translated to say spirit is "breath" or "breathe"  The spirit itself can't be seen, only sensed.  Like wind in the leaves, you can't see the wind but you can see it's affect on the leaves.

It's like trying to identify God . . .he is I am.  Jesus explains himself as yesterday, today and forever . . .which is . . .I am.  So I guess it shouldn't be much of a surprise to see us struggling in trying to define what Spirit "is".  Because even though we, ourselves, are spirits, we reason with our minds and Scripture has already informed us that our minds are not equipped to operate on such plains as this . . .the only thing that would clearly define to each of us what the spirit "is", would be personal "experience".  It's an inward affirmation that my mind can't quite put a finger on how to define it.

[Molly]

And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
--Gen 1

Hebrew
"Spirit" [of God]

H7307
רוּח
rûach
roo'-akh
From H7306; wind; by resemblance breath, that is, a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions): - air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage,mind, X quarter, X side, spirit ([-ual]), tempest, X vain, ([whirl-]) wind (-y).

[thinktank]

Micah are you looking for a scientific explanation of what spirit is composed of?

Spirit is composed of unseen things, the closest material to spirit I think is light and water. For Jesus came by water and in Rev 22 the lamb of God is the light of the city, both morally and physically.

Spirit gives life.

Water and light also give life and are the main power substances in this world.

I refuse to believe that God almighty, though is nothing more than some kind of force, you can believe that if you wish. But my God is a personal God.

[WhiteWings]

50 is a bit hardcore, 20 is a good target, I can currently do about 16, proper ones, not the jelly wobbly walrus type ones you see a lot doing, claiming a 100  :laughing7:

16? That's nothing with your arms  :icon_jokercolor:
(http://www.ianstevenson.co.uk/images/myspace/short_arms_422.jpg)

[thinktank]

 :bigGrin: Carefull wings, notice the size of my mouth, do you know that a trex has short arms too, not wise to battle a T-rex!.

[micah7:9]

I don't buy it . . .they were discussing his death . . .Peter was freaking out about wanting to give homage to all three of them . . .Jesus had revealed his true nature to them . . .nothing futuristic about any of that other than their conversation was pertaining to something yet to come . . . there is no references after this where Abraham, Moses and Jesus were reunited.

I believe what really was going on there was God was restoring that which the Israelites lost in the ark . . .they lost the manna and the rod that budded . . .manna being Christ, the rod being Aarons was considered to be the mouthpiece of Moses . . .Elijah was representing the prophets in that he was the first to actually raise up schools of prophets . . .he was to prophets was Moses was to the law.  So when Elijah and Moses both appeared with Jesus, it was symbolizing the restoration of the heart of God . . .the innermost articles within the ark.

As for the inactive part . . .there's no pattern to life/spirit being inactive.  It's always moving, breathing . . .I believe the soul side of things is inactive, but not the spirit.  We are not souls, we are spirits in which souls manifest when our spirits inhabit bodies . .

March 15,2011  Nathan
"We are not souls, we are spirits in which souls manifest when our spirits inhabit bodies . ."
I find that absurd and not Biblical..
Gen 2:7  And Jehovah God formeth the man--dust from the ground, and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature.Gen 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Man is a "living soul" a "living creature." How can you possibly say we are not souls?

[micah7:9]

And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
--Gen 1

Hebrew
"Spirit" [of God]

H7307
רוּח
rûach
roo'-akh
From H7306; wind; by resemblance breath, that is, a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions): - air, anger, blast, breath, X cool, courage,mind, X quarter, X side, spirit ([-ual]), tempest, X vain, ([whirl-]) wind (-y).

Yes I agree with Strongs. I contend that "the Spirit" of God is quite different from
Gen 6:3

(ASV)  And Jehovah said, My spirit shall not strive with man for ever, for that he also is flesh: yet shall his days be a hundred and twenty years.

(CLV) And saying is Yahweh Elohim, "Not abide shall My spirit in the human for the eon, in that moreover, he is flesh. And come shall his days to be a hundred and twenty years.

(KJV)  And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

(Rotherham)  And Yahweh said—My spirit shall not rule in man to times age—abiding, for that, he also, is flesh,—Yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.

(YLT)  And Jehovah saith, `My Spirit doth not strive in man--to the age; in their erring they are flesh:' and his days have been an hundred and twenty years.

Other than Youngs (there may be others) it is a small "s" as I believe it should be.
God is Spirit... from that Spirit, comes "spirit," which is the very instigation than moves man in his direction and choices.
I believe that it is in error to teach that the Spirit of Genesis 1:2 is the spirit of man.
Man is motivated(kept alive) by the "breath of life," the unconscience act of breathing this, keeps the human being alive.

When we speak of the "Spirit of God" we are not speaking of the "spirit" that motivates man(human being aka mankind.)
God is Spirit and the endeavors of man and is weaknesses and indulgences are not of the Spirit of God.
God is Spirit... Joh 4:24 "God is spirit, .."CVL)
Man is Gods breath, his spirit, it is what gives man life, to be alive, to breath.

[Nathan]

I don't buy it . . .they were discussing his death . . .Peter was freaking out about wanting to give homage to all three of them . . .Jesus had revealed his true nature to them . . .nothing futuristic about any of that other than their conversation was pertaining to something yet to come . . . there is no references after this where Abraham, Moses and Jesus were reunited.

I believe what really was going on there was God was restoring that which the Israelites lost in the ark . . .they lost the manna and the rod that budded . . .manna being Christ, the rod being Aarons was considered to be the mouthpiece of Moses . . .Elijah was representing the prophets in that he was the first to actually raise up schools of prophets . . .he was to prophets was Moses was to the law.  So when Elijah and Moses both appeared with Jesus, it was symbolizing the restoration of the heart of God . . .the innermost articles within the ark.

As for the inactive part . . .there's no pattern to life/spirit being inactive.  It's always moving, breathing . . .I believe the soul side of things is inactive, but not the spirit.  We are not souls, we are spirits in which souls manifest when our spirits inhabit bodies . .

March 15,2011  Nathan
"We are not souls, we are spirits in which souls manifest when our spirits inhabit bodies . ."
I find that absurd and not Biblical..
Gen 2:7  And Jehovah God formeth the man--dust from the ground, and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature.Gen 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
Man is a "living soul" a "living creature." How can you possibly say we are not souls?

So ironic that you use "that" verse to try to disprove what I'm trying to say.  "That" verse is the REASON why I'm trying to say it.  It states God first created man . . .no life manifesting, just the clay pot.  But then he "breathed" which is the Hebrew word for SPIRIT . . .  So you have the two of three major elements.  With just the body, there's nothing happening, then the breath (spirit) of life enters into the clay and clay BECOMES something all together different . . . when SPIRIT entered the BODY the SOUL manifested that marriage . . .. thus . . . . I AM a SPIRIT that lives in a BODY which manifests by my SOUL.  It takes all three components to complete who I am . . .which again, for me, points to the reason as to why it's so important that we all return to our bodies when all things are complete . . .the return of our spirits to our bodies is a part of that completion.  My soul does not manifest "me" if there is no marriage of body and spirit.

[lastpost]

I recently moved and found an old letter I wrote to the newspaper about 15 years ago in response to neo-Darwinism articles. It's not "religious" but aimed at ordinary people hoping to get them to "look up" and see more than physical life and perhaps see "Spirit" behind it all...

"THE scientific assertions of the evolutionist have but a small portion of truth regarding the origins of life, but until non-physical life and spiritual evolution is seriously considered, the equation will never balance.

Atoms belonging to our material universe are suspended in etheric waves which vibrate at a certain speed and density.

However, etheric waves continue to increase in frequency and density beyond the Physical and become unimaginably immeasurable. Any life which exists in these waves is beyond the perception of the human eye which can only see within three dimensional time and space.

Even logically, there is likely to be more life beyond the Physical than in the Physical, the material being just a small part of a greater existence. Surely it is non-physical life which animates physical life for the duration of its relatively short existence.

Regarding the existence of a design to our lot, only the purblind could fail to notice the existence of unifying principles. For instance, the acorn and the egg are similar in structure, and both require warmth and incubation for the life within to break forth. The motion of life from inner to outer is a universal law and is never broken.

There is also the spiral principle: The spiral activity of sub-molecular particles; climbing plants spiral as they reach for the light; veins of trees tend to incline from the perpendicular as they traverse the trunk's length; seeds float afield or fall to the ground in a similar curve; a course of sufficient extent shows that birds neither swim nor fly in a straight line; the snail's shell; the orbits of our solar system's planets, and the collection of constellations in our galaxy all show this principle at work.

Finally, why should life have started with the formation of physical planets capable of supporting transient physical life? Physical evolution exists to accommodate spiritual evolution which predates the material.

There is a much grander scheme afoot than we mere humans can truly cognize."

Ah, Life in the Spirit - And forever to live in it because of the Generosity of the One Loving God whom we adore.

[eaglesway]

I recently moved and found an old letter I wrote to the newspaper about 15 years ago in response to neo-Darwinism articles. It's not "religious" but aimed at ordinary people hoping to get them to "look up" and see more than physical life and perhaps see "Spirit" behind it all...

"THE scientific assertions of the evolutionist have but a small portion of truth regarding the origins of life, but until non-physical life and spiritual evolution is seriously considered, the equation will never balance.

Atoms belonging to our material universe are suspended in etheric waves which vibrate at a certain speed and density.

However, etheric waves continue to increase in frequency and density beyond the Physical and become unimaginably immeasurable. Any life which exists in these waves is beyond the perception of the human eye which can only see within three dimensional time and space.

Even logically, there is likely to be more life beyond the Physical than in the Physical, the material being just a small part of a greater existence. Surely it is non-physical life which animates physical life for the duration of its relatively short existence.

Regarding the existence of a design to our lot, only the purblind could fail to notice the existence of unifying principles. For instance, the acorn and the egg are similar in structure, and both require warmth and incubation for the life within to break forth. The motion of life from inner to outer is a universal law and is never broken.

There is also the spiral principle: The spiral activity of sub-molecular particles; climbing plants spiral as they reach for the light; veins of trees tend to incline from the perpendicular as they traverse the trunk's length; seeds float afield or fall to the ground in a similar curve; a course of sufficient extent shows that birds neither swim nor fly in a straight line; the snail's shell; the orbits of our solar system's planets, and the collection of constellations in our galaxy all show this principle at work.

Finally, why should life have started with the formation of physical planets capable of supporting transient physical life? Physical evolution exists to accommodate spiritual evolution which predates the material.

There is a much grander scheme afoot than we mere humans can truly cognize."

Ah, Life in the Spirit - And forever to live in it because of the Generosity of the One Loving God whom we adore.

Awesome!

[marie glen]

. . .no life manifesting, just the clay pot.  But then he "breathed" which is the Hebrew word for SPIRIT . . .

..Interesting!

I recently moved and found an old letter I wrote to the newspaper about 15 years ago in response to neo-Darwinism articles. It's not "religious" but aimed at ordinary people hoping to get them to "look up" and see more than physical life and perhaps see "Spirit" behind it all...

Ah, Life in the Spirit - And forever to live in it because of the Generosity of the One Loving God whom we adore.

Very nice!!  :banana: :smile:

[marie glen]

what is spirit?  :Chinscratch:  :Chinscratch:
   - Jude 19 "sensual, having not the spirit" (of God, GR=4151-pneuma - "current (of air)-breath-blast; from 4154,pneo-blow") ..we can be "breathing" and "alive" but have not the spirit/breath of God.. "sensual, having not the spirit"

John 4:23-24 - "..the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

I  think "the spirit gives life" 2 Cor 3:6 means God is Life.. the life force, vitality.. "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself" - John 5:6 (inherent life; everlasting as opposed to being "a living soul"/alive)

verses 1 John 4 and 5 - all from #4151-pneuma - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+john+4%3A1-6%3B+1+John+5%3A6-8&version=NKJV

all the Listings in Strong's Concordance:

spirit
in the Hebrew/OT, translated from two:
7307 ruwach - "wind-breath-exhalation-blow"
178 owb - "prattling, mumble" used for familiar spirit

in the Greek/NT, also two:
4151 pneuma - "current (of air)-breath-blast; from 4154,pneo-blow" translated for/as: of God, the spirit, poor in spirit, spirit is willing, unclean spirit, etc
5326 phantasma - "show-phantasm, ie spectre" - tranlated as: a spirit

spirits = same in the Heb and the Gr; unclean/evil, discerning of, ministering spirits, Father of spirits, spirits in 'prison'-(imo,locked into perishing as the ark was being prepared)

life
the HEB:
2416 chay - "alive, from 2421-to live"
5315 nephesh - "breathing-abstr=vitality=from 5414-to breathe" translated for/as: legalities, life for life, etc
2421 chayah - "to live"

the GR:
5590 psuche - "breath-from 5594-psucho,breathe" translated for/as - lose life..
2222 zoe - "life-from 2198,zao-to live" translated as/for: enter life, life eternal, leads to,
979 bios - "life" and 982 biotikos "present life, both used for, this life
981 biosis - "living"
895 apsuchos - "lifeless"
2198 zao - "to live" despaired of life
2227 zoopoieo - "vitalize" - 2 Cor 3:6 "the spirit giveth life"
72 agoge - "a bringing up-manner of life"
4151 pneuma - "current(of air)-breathe" [bk rev (13:15) animate?]

living
the HEB:
2416 chay - "alive, from 2421-to live"
2417 chay - "alive-from 2418,chaya-to live"

the GR:
2198 zao - "to live"
979 bios - "life"
              :Peace2:

P.S. - " And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, `Receive the Holy Spirit`." John 20:22

[sheila]

  you are delving into the mystery of godlyness and the mystery of godlessness..marie...