Soul and Spirit

[Nebuchadnezza10]

Hey catsmeow,

I have heard it said that animals have a spirit and not a soul, but humans have both and that is what distinguishes us from the animals.

I will see if i can get some biblical back up for that. But for now it is just opinion.

[Catsmeow]

I can't even support it with scripture so it's purely conjecture and nothing more...Or maybe just wishful thinking...

But I do believe in my heart that there's a special place for animals...a sort of animal heaven.

Again, I'm not teaching some weird, new doctrine...it's purely a guess or hope of mine and I openly admit that.

I have animals I really love and pray over. I actually pray over my animals. I am very much an animal person and big on animal rights (to prevent cruelty to animals, particularly pets).

[Dad Ernie]

DE: I've never heard of Biafra babies. I did a Google search and all I found was references to either children in Africa or Africa or an atheist group with really vulgar lyrics about abortion and the Lord Jesus...*pretty evil site..stay out.

I found nothing of what you were talking about...where did you hear about this?

Greetings Catsmeow,

Years ago, apparently before your time, Life, Time and other magazines carried pictures of starving children and babies in Biafra. Babies peering up in their mother's arms with a blank stare, not quite dead, but lifeless none-the-less.

I couldn't find the picture I wanted on the web, because I think all the photography is probably proprietary.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Catsmeow]

A Google search gave me nothing. Since I'm forty-something, I'm fine on the age part; I just never read much from those magazines.

It sounds as though their "condition" is brought on by starvation and disease, filth and fatigue, rather than being a spiritual state or condition. Just a guess; I don't know.

I sure wish I could find something on it.

[Nebuchadnezza10]

Me again,

Well had a look through to see if there was a difference between soul and spirit, but it looks like it is used interchangeably. They could possibly be the same thing?

[WayneB]

Me again,

Well had a look through to see if there was a difference between soul and spirit, but it looks like it is used interchangeably. They could possibly be the same thing?

Not from I see and understand.

Soul and life, yes...they are used interchangeably.

Soul and spirit...not that I see. Where do you see that?

If they were the same, explain Hebrews 4:12, which says "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-

[Catsmeow]

Wait, wait, wait!!! I have a thought...(although I'm having a blonde day so no telling how good it is...)

Look, you always hear about the "souls" of the dearly departed or souls in hell or whatever.

The souls either seem to go to heaven or hell...but the spirit is considered dead or alive.

If a person is "dead" spiritually, they are those who's souls are condemned to hell.

If a person is alive in Christ they are spiritually "alive"....no longer dead and destined to eternal life.