Does animals have a soul? I want go into it yet, I would like to see what some of your thoughts are on this.

In Christ,
Jerry

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.

It is not mentioned in the Bible brother so either they don't or God did not feel it important enough to include in the Bible.

In Christ,
George

Cults often point to this verse:

And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle: one soul of five hundred, both of the persons, and of the beeves, and of the asses, and of the sheep: (Numbers 31:28)

This verse says "spirit" instead of "soul", but it sheds a bit more light on it:

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? (Ecclesiastes 3:21)

Amen, brothers! People seem to really have a hard time with that. Of course, in America where an animal is more important than a human life--- I am not surprised. *sad* Don't get me wrong... I love animals! I have 3 doggies. As my son said, years ago... "human beings are above the animals... as animals are secondary." He was a young guy, then.

Have you ever noticed... in the grocery store how the dog/cat/bird/fish isles are loaded with food, treats, bones, etc? Then... the isles for the infants and children have little food? Of course, we have all the pet stores, etc. out there, too. It is so heartbreaking to think of that.

God bless,

Molly

It seem at fist seeing this some are thinking if the answer to this question is yes, its equating animals to humans, but that is far from the truth, as this little portion of a study will point out.

B. Is Man a Dichotomous ( 2 part) being or a Trichinous (3 part) being? Is he simply body and soul or is he body, soul, and spirit?

1. Argument for Dichotomy (Man is a 2 part being - body and soul)

a. There is only material and non-material - nothing else.
b. The terms soul and spirit are often used interchangeably in scripture.

2. Argument for Trichotomy

a. Because some passages use the term interchangeably does not mean all passage do.
b. Two key passages seem to distinguish spirit and soul.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

c. Animals is Scripture are described as soul, but never as possession a spirit. Thus this part of man is that which makes us superior and separate to animal nature and what lives on after death.
d. Trichomy best explains the three levels consciousness.
1) World Consciousness - Body ( soma )
2) Self Consciousness - Soul ( pusher )
3) God Consciousness - Spirit ( pneuma )

Illustration: The term “man” and “Woman” are obviously separate in meaning and yet often the term “man” refers to all mankind, both male and female.

From “Doctrine of Man” by Brother John Yates. Page 594

As for the pet food, more people have dog, cats, and other pets than have babies, plus many of the families that has babies has pets. I know of a few husbands and wifes who can't have children, but most of them have pets.


In Christ,
Jerry

Pastor Jerry said:

It seem at fist seeing this some are thinking if the answer to this question is yes, its equating animals to humans, but that is far from the truth, as this little portion of a study will point out.

Obviously, I was. Thank you for clearing that up for me, Pastor.


So, we are having a very intellectual conversation here? My brain is very fuzzy right now... haha. You are taking me way back to my years learning science in the public school system. Oh... I love it!!

Pastor Jerry said:

c. Animals is Scripture are described as soul, but never as possession a spirit. Thus this part of man is that which makes us superior and separate to animal nature and what lives on after death.
d. Trichomy best explains the three levels consciousness.
1) World Consciousness - Body ( soma )
2) Self Consciousness - Soul ( pusher )
3) God Consciousness - Spirit ( pneuma )


This is going to be a very interesting conversation. I can see that already. I really need to get my "thinking cap" on for this one. Where are Upholder and George? And, I know we have many other brains in this field. I would love to learn this all over again; however, I want to be able to relate it to the KJB, of course.

Pastor Jerry said:

As for the pet food, more people have dog, cats, and other pets than have babies, plus many of the families that has babies has pets. I know of a few husbands and wifes who can't have children, but most of them have pets.


That is VERY true. I was thinking in another route (you know what I mean)... and, I won't go there.

In Christ ~

Molly

I recall when we 1st studied that, in the late 90's, I was skeptical at 1st, for when it 1st hits ones brain we think of equating animal and dogs, and naturally want to balk at that. Especially as we are living in the days of PETA, those people do equate animals and humans.

But when you think of it on those terms, it makes sense. I was wondering if anyone else had thought about it this way.

I was reading some post on a PETA board, one fellow told that he had fell in love with this cow his neighbor has, and that he felt for this cow as well as for all the cows this man had, for he raised them to sell beef. Said if he had the money he woudl buy all of them, but them he woudl not have a place to keep them.

One reply read something like this.

Go open the gate late one evening, by morning all of the cows will be gone, they deserve their freedom.

Think what might have happened if he did this. A family comes driving down the road after dark, hits the cows, and it kills everyone of them. Could happen, hope the fellow did not do that. Those PETA people are nuts. Some of them will do almost anything to save the life of an animal.

I've thought about all the stuff they have for pets in Walmart's, they are loaded down with that stuff and it sells like hot cakes. That is why I thought of that, it had already hit my mind.

May God Bless,
Jerry

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Philippians 1:9-10

Brother Jerry, man was created by God as a trichotomy. We are composed of body (the fleshly part or our physical being,) soul (our mind, will and emotions,) and spirit. At the commission of the original sin our trichotomy became a dichotomy in that our spirits died. Our spirit is that which has the ability to communicate with the Holy Spirit and vice versa. It is only when we are born again that we are transformed back into a trichotomy and regain that ability to communicate with God's Spirit.

Yet it is not us who live int he spirit but the Spirit of the infinite God that lives in us that brings us back to life and life renewed.

(Gal 2:20) I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

I know it is extremely difficult for us to think of any living creature as not having a spirit but the Bible does not mention animals as being in heaven. We know that all human beings will live somewhere forever. However animals simply perish.

Have you ever seen or heard this Sylvia Brown woman?She is a work of art. She supposedly has the ability to foretell the future as well as to communicate with "the other side." Lately she has been on the bandwagon for animals having a spirit and going to heaven. I think she even wrote a book on the subject. Of course it is quite obvious to me that she has no relationship with the Lord and does not read a Bible.

In Christ,
George

I once had a cat who was a gentle old soul. He lived to sit in my lap any time I sat down. His name was Rat. He lived for about 20 years. I do not expect to see him in Heaven, however.

George, I never said an animal had a spirit, I did say our spirit is what makes us different than animals.

I never said there was a part of an animal that lived on after death, only a part of mankind that lived on after death.

"...The spirit shall return unto God Who gave it." Eccl. 12:7

"...The Lord....formeth the spirit of man within him." Zech 12:1


Now animals, they are missing:
1. Intellect - that part of the soul which tell us whether a given issue is right or wrong.

2. Sensibility - that aspect which tells us what we would like to do about the issue.

3 Conscience - that aspect which tells us what we should do about the issue.

4. Will - that aspect which tells us what we chose to do about the issue-

Of course the most important issue before man is salvation of which is not offered to animals, they do not have the ability to deal with such an issue as we do.

The day will come when many will wish that mankind was just a 2 part being, not a 3 prat being, they will not like it when they are compelled to bow before Christ.

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Phil 2:10-11 (KJV)

Of course, we're looking forward to bowing before Jesus is adoration.

In Christ,
Jerry

-

That being true, which it is, then the obvious answer is that animals have neither a spirit nor a soul.

In Christ,
George

This post was last modified: Fri Apr 24, 2009 05:10 PM by George.

George, Lets try again, I'll give you some examples in the Bible you can check out, I am not trying to lead you wrong, just pointing to what the Bible has to say about this issue of the soul.

Of lower animals, Gen. 1:21,24; 2:19; 9:10, 12; Lev. 11:46; Lev. 11:10; Ezek 47:9; Gen. 1:20, 30; Lev. 24:18, Job 12:10; Job 41:21; Isa. 19:10; Jer. 2:24

Of animals & man together
Gen 9:15-16; Lev. 17:11, 14; Num. 21:28

There is a few examples you will find in the Bible where the word soul is being use when speaking about animals. Its there for you, you can chose what you want to believe about it. I know for some it comes as a shock, for there be many who do not teach the whole truth about this matter, I was in that group for several years.

In Christ,
Jerry

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:32 (KJV)

Pastor Jerry said:

I was reading some post on a PETA board, one fellow told that he had fell in love with this cow his neighbor has, and that he felt for this cow as well as for all the cows this man had, for he raised them to sell beef. Said if he had the money he woudl buy all of them, but them he woudl not have a place to keep them.

Oh, my!!

I believe that I know where you are heading with this topic, now... Pastor Jerry. I will keep silent.. lol, until someone else posts.

God bless everyone,

P.S. ~ So funny, Brother Tim!!

The essential and most important truth is this:

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(John 14:1-3)

The Lord Jesus died for us, and he has gone to prepare a place for us in Heaven. As much as we are fond of any pets we might have, Jesus did not die for those pets, and he has not prepared a place for them in Heaven. When animals die, they simply return to the dust from whence they came. There does seem to be Biblical evidence that animals do have a soul of some sort, but the soul in that case only consists of a "life force" that ceases to exist once the animal is dead, and there awaits neither eternal bliss nor eternal torment for the animal.

When God created man, he gave man dominion over the animals (Genesis 1:26-28). After the Flood, God decreed that animals could be killed and eaten as food. (Genesis 9:3)

Animals are for our use, but not our abuse:

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. (Proverbs 10:12)

Animal liberation groups like PETA go much further than merely opposing cruelty to animals. Because of the evolution and humanism that dominates their thinking, they place animals on an equal level to humans, and if they had their way, they would outlaw all consumption of meat, milk, and eggs, and any other use of animals by people. This part of their agenda is in complete opposition to God's Word. Interestingly enough, if you replace God's Word with evolutionary theory, you end up with more excuse for animal cruelty that ever before, because if we are only animals ourselves and only the products of blind chance with no God to hold us to account, then we could do anything we like, including animal cruelty.
No wonder the world is going crazy. That business with the cow just blows me away!

Surely no one could get the idea with what I've stated that I equate animal life with human life nor that I believe in evolution the least bit.

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

I believe in a literal 6 days creation.

But that said, you might browse thru this PETA message board and see how ignorant these people are.

http://streetteam.peta2.com/public/folde...lderid=727

That is where I found the cow story I posted about in a previous post. No doubt, if they could they would outlaw eating any and all meat. Its quite amazing how true infidels think. They would do anything to save an animal but yet they have no morals.

In Christ,

Jerry

Joh 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.