In "Elihu's witnesses" Jefferson Vann presents two collaborating biblical texts that affirm Elihu's assertion that human souls go to the grave at death. Elihu's witnesses A few days ago, I posted an article featuring Job 33:14-22, in which Elihu mentioned that the human soul goes not to heaven or hell, but to the grave at death. see Elihu on the soul at death In that … [Read more...]
Body and Soul
Articles in this subcategory seek to identify and explain who human beings are by noting what the Bible says about our composition. Key biblical terms discussed in these articles include:
body (בֶּטֶן ) (σῶμα)
flesh (בּשָׂר) (σάρξ)
soul (נֶפֶשׁ) (ψυχη)
spirit (רוּחַ) (πνεῦμα)
heart (לֵב) (καρδία)
mind (כּלְיָה) (νοῦς)
Key theological terms discussed in these articles include: dichotomy, trichotomy, and composite unity and functional unity.
Elihu on the soul at death
In "Elihu on the soul at death" Jefferson Vann looks at what an Old Testament character says about the soul, and shows that he did not believe it an immortal entity that survives death. Job 33:14-22 (KJV) [14] For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. [15] In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in … [Read more...]
soul hole
In "soul hole" Jefferson Vann explains that a human soul can be buried! soul hole Can the human soul be buried in a hole? "Nonsense" you say, "the soul is an immaterial being, free from any constraint. It cannot be buried." Well, then, what did Jeremiah mean in this verse? "Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul" (Jeremiah 18:20a … [Read more...]
Rahab’s only hope
In "Rahab's only hope" Jefferson Vann talks about why Rahab chose to side with the Israelites against her own city. Joshua 2:8-14 (JDV) Joshua 2:8 Before the men fell asleep, she went up on the roof Joshua 2:9 and said to them, "I know that Yahveh has given you this land and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and everyone who lives in the land is panicking because … [Read more...]
throat adventure
In "throat adventure" Jefferson Vann discusses the translation of Judges 9:17. Judges 9:17 (JDV) because my father fought for you, risked his throat, and rescued you from Midian, For several years now, I have been translating the Bible, and it has given me opportunities to investigate some of my hypotheses concerning biblical words relevant to conditionalism. One of those … [Read more...]
throats on the battlefield
In "throats on the battlefield" Jefferson Vann explores Deborah's use of the word nefesh in Judges 5. He shows that she uses the word not as "soul" but "throat." For several years now, I have been translating the Bible, and it has given me opportunities to investigate some of my hypotheses concerning biblical words relevant to conditionalism. One of those biblical words is … [Read more...]
Alter on ‘nefesh’
In "Alter on nefesh" Jefferson Vann shares a Jewish scholar's choice to stop using 'soul' to translate the Hebrew 'nefesh.' I came across an interesting article in the New York Times yesterday. Avi Steinberg's December 20, 2018 article was entitled "After More Than Two Decades of Work, a New Hebrew Bible to Rival the King James." It featured an interview with 83 year old … [Read more...]
a humbling for all
In "a humbling for all" Jefferson Vann explains why all creatures die, and return to dust, but the gospel offers a resurrection to eternal life. a humbling for all If we claim to be telling the world what God has said in his word, the least we can do is be honest about it. There have been libraries of books assuring the curious that human beings are made up of immortal stuff, … [Read more...]
what Zedekiah swore
In "what Zedekiah swore" Jefferson Vann explains what Jeremiah 38:16 really says. Jeremiah 38:14-16 (JDV) Jeremiah 38:14 King Zedekiah sent for the prophet Jeremiah and received him at the third entrance of Yahveh's temple. The king said to Jeremiah, "I am going to ask you something; don't hide anything from me." Jeremiah 38:15 Jeremiah replied to Zedekiah, "If I tell … [Read more...]
theological humility
In "theological humility" Jefferson Vann explains why conditionalism reflects theological humility. I came across an interesting quote the other day in Sarah Arthur's wonderful devotional Walking With Frodo. "The word humility is related to humus, which means "dust" or "earth." In ancient times a humble person could be seen bowing at the feet of someone great, … [Read more...]