This article looks at the Platonic Soul versus the resurrection.
“The Son quickeneth whom he will.” – John 5:21
The Platonic Soul
The Greek philosopher Plato has been called “the prophet of the doctrine of immortality.” By this, of course, is meant the immortality of a human soul.
It was Plato’s earnest undertaking to prove the eternal existence of the soul – its pre-existence, its present existence, and its continued existence after death. Thus, to Plato, death was the medium to a blissful future, for it meant the release of the soul from the body (cf. Dollinger, The Gentile and the Jew, I, 336).
Jesus of Nazareth
By way of contrast, Jesus of Nazareth may be called the prophet of the resurrection of the dead. Not only did He teach a resurrection from the dead, but he also claimed the power and authority to perform that resurrection. He told Peter and the disciples that “the gates of hell” would not prevail against His “church” or “congregation” (Mt. 16:18). The power of the grave could not keep them. Someday, in the resurrection, they would come forth.
He told the Jews that as the Father raises up the dead, and forms them alive, so He, the Son, forms them alive. Resurrection power has been committed to the Son of God (Jn. 5:21).Finally, Jesus said that someday the dead would hear the voice of the Son of God — and those who hear that voice will come to life again (Jn. 5:25). They will live again in resurrection. Jesus of Nazareth proved His claims. He brought the widow’s son back to life (Lk. 7:15). He raised the little maid, Jairus’ daughter (Lk. 8:55). And finally, He raised Lazarus from the dead (Jn. 11:44). The philosopher Plato never really proved his claims as to “the immortality of the human soul.” One of his so-called proofs was to accept as a certain fact the pre-existence of the soul (cf. Dollinger, op. cit., p. 337)!
Plato and his followers have never captured a so-called “soul” and put it on display. They have always had much help from the doctrines and practices of spiritualism, and from demons that impersonate “departed souls.” But the evidence is rejected, both by careful students of Scripture and by reasonable men.
Given these facts, is it not reasonable that we reject Plato’s doctrine, and accept that of Christ?
One excludes the other. If we have immortal souls, then we really do not need a resurrection from the dead — in fact, we do not really die!
But God’s Word tells us that death is conquered, not by Plato’s philosophy, but by Christ’s resurrection from the dead, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory [over death and the grave] through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57).
From Sidney Hatch; Brief Bible Studies, Vol. 21, No.1, p. 21.
About David Burge
David Burge was the Editor of From Death to Life for 6 years and the chairperson of the Conditional Immortality Association of NZ from 1993 until his death in 2010 from Leukemia.
"He was a genuine leader, a gifted, enterprising, focused and humble person who could be relied upon to make the most of his own gifts and to take others with him. David was not afraid of responsibility, but rose to every opportunity granted him to serve His Lord and Saviour. He was inspirational, a man of courage and vision, who earned the complete confidence of all who knew him. He carried heavy burdens lightly, and displayed unfailing, cheerful good will towards all."from A Tribute to David Burge by Warren Prestidge . He was the father of eight and dearly loved husband of Tarnya . He pastored the Takanini Community Church for 12 years and he had cerebral palsy.
What do you think about 1st Corinthians 15:40-42, this is something that has often drawn my attention, it sound as though there are three glories we can rise in the resurrection to?