I’m a Soul Man – A Response

Greetings Dear Reader,

Thank you for disagreeing with me.  Thank you for doing so thoughtfully and respectfully.  For those who did not see I will re-post the comment here so that we have context.

“I have to simply disagree with this particular opinion. It is totally unclear whether the mind and body are separate things even in the vast majority of Christian religions.

There also happens to be plenty of good thought put into the idea that what we call our soul is real only insofar as it is an idea.

The malady that is vaguely referenced here is the major religious view that people are evil and in need of salvation.

Many "saved" people act out on evil, and their souls are bot remedied by the tired of Christian salvation. Many Muslims, atheists, and generally agnostic people act out for the good of humanity. They do not "try to do good". They do good. In fact, many do so with no reason besides making the world a little better while they struggle on its soil.

This is not to say that Christians are bad. There are good Christians. There are Christians that understand that no one is evil by nature. It is to say that people can serve other people for humanity's sake just as well.as they could serve any god. What do you think?”

As I have said clearly before my view is based on a biblical world view.  I do understand that many detract from the idea that we have clearly separate entities.  Jesus made it clear that there is a distinction.  “Don't be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.”

I do believe that people are fallen and in need of redemption.  It is based on clear statements from both the Old and New Testament that we are.  The entire first three chapters of Romans are dedicated to the idea that we are all in need of redemption no matter how good or moral we are.

You are right Dear Reader that people do not just try to do good.  There are good moral people who accomplish much that is noble and lasting.  The problem is that we are not measured by this.  We are measured by our faith and following. 

It is true that many who claim to follow Christ do that which is evil.  It is true that many who do not believe live honorable and charitable lives.  That is not, however, how we are measured by God. If a Christian rejects that idea that we are fallen by nature then I would like to hear them address the clear statements from the Bible that say we are.

One of the driving factors in my life is that I care for the souls of women and men.  I see everyone as eternal.  I see everyone as fallen and in need of redemption.  This is not a judgment but rather compassion out of obedience to the truth.  Even the greatest command says we must Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind.  Why would Jesus make the distinction if there were not one?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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I’m a Soul Man - Interdependence

Greetings Dear Reader,

We are at least two parted beings.  Some think we are three parted.  Whether we are body, soul, and spirit or body and soul we are more than just flesh and bones.  If we do not accept this then we ignore a vital interdependence. 

Many people attempt to feed the spiritual part of the being whilst refusing to acknowledge the existence of it.  People feed the spirit by trying to be moral or good.  The problem is that the soul still has a malady without faith and redemption. 

If I live as if I do not have an eternal soul then I will put things ahead of its care.  Morals and values become preferences not necessities.  Spiritual truths become opinions not mandates from God.  The lines of right and wrong become unclear.

I must assure that I see everyone as soul in need of love and care.  If I proceed from the eternal nature of my congress with others then I am likely to be more careful what I say and do.  If I see my own being as eternal then I am likely to be  more particular what I do when I am alone.

The body is fed by the soul much more than by food and drink.  If I tend the soul then the body benefits.  The opposite is true in a lesser way.  The nature of things is that we are eternal.  I want to do and say things that echo positively through the eternal.  In that I must be always vigilant.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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I’m a Soul Man – 21 Grams

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the early twentieth century, Dr. Duncan MacDougall of Haverhill, Massachusetts performed a series of experiments to determine if the soul had weight.  He concluded that it did.  Over the decades this has been accepted and rejected. 

An intriguing movie titled 21 Grams treats the subject with interest.  It is worth the couple of hours to watch.  It raises the question of the weight of the soul.  The weight is not as important as the worth.  The movie also addresses this well.

We live in a soul where we value 21 grams of gold far above the human soul.  We value so many things more that the life of humans.  We will allow souls to be dispensed over oil, drugs, and politics.  We have relegated the idea of the soul to the children’s table.  We do not treat souls as the precious things they are.

Whether or not Dr. MacDougall was correct we need to consider the worth of the soul.  If I see everyone as eternal it motivates me to treat them better.  If I see that every soul has needs then perhaps I will do more to meet those needs.  It does not matter what I amass here if I do not feed the souls around me.  They are hungry for love, grace, and kindness.

It is my obligation to see the souls around me.  It is my privilege to see people as more than tissue and systems.  It is my joy to once in a while feel as if I have nourished that which is eternal.

The Touch of the Masters Hand - Myra 'Brooks' Welch

T’was battered and scarred, and the auctioneer thought it scarcely worth his while

to waste much time on the old violin, but held it up with a smile;

"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,

"Who'll start the bidding for me?"

"A dollar, a dollar"; then two!"

"Only two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars twice; going for three." But no,

from the room, far back, a gray-haired man came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, and tightening the loose strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet as caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer, with a voice that was quiet and low,

Said; "What am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow.

A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two? Two thousand! And who'll make it three? Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice, and going and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not quite understand

What changed its worth." Swift came the reply:

"The touch of a master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune, and battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, much like the old violin,

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine; a game - and he travels on.

"He is going" once, and "going twice, He's going and almost gone."

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought by the touch of the Master's hand.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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I’m a Soul Man – Constitutional Issues

Greetings Dear Reader,

It occurs to me that no matter what belief system one adopts if that system focuses on the soul and it eternal nature it also focuses on peace and kindness.  It is common that the eternal view leads to long term thinking about our lives, the world, and our actions.

The problem is a constitutional one.  We are a soul.  We are eternal and the choices we make have an eternal impact.  If we deny that then we are not seeing our constitution accurately.  When we put the body above the soul then we tend to care for our wants over what is best for us.

Some people manage to care for their soul without faith.  Many do not.  The accountability factor is important.  It is more important to see that there is something beyond ourselves.  The journey is not just the brief voyage of the body from cradle to grave.  It is the transmigration of the soul during that time that is eternal.

We neglect the soul and then over-indulge the body.  We live for what we want instead of what we need.  It does not matter if we simply embrace a non-eternal view or dive into the greater vices.  It impacts us and how we treat others.

The solution to the so many problems is admitting that I have a problem.  My soul must be invested in the eternal.  I must see everyone as eternal.  I do my best to do that.  Every life matters both soul and body.  If I hope to follow Christ then I will live as if everyone is eternal.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

I’m a Soul Man – Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

It is not unusual that we focus on the wrong things.   It is not even uncommon.  If we ponder that then we see that it runs deep in us.  We worry more about our lattes than we do the homeless.  We mourn over football scores instead of healthcare.  We argue over politics instead of changing the world.

We exercise the body and ignore the soul.  C.S. Lewis said, “You don’t have a soul.  You are a soul.  You have a body.”  Our focus on what we build, nourish, and tend is so very out of balance.  An eternal soul traveling through this weigh station called life matters. 

Jesus came to redeem the souls of all humans.  He wanted to rescue us from the malady that separates us from God.  As we approach All Souls Day I want to assure that I am nourishing mine.  It is interesting to see the seeming contradictions between what is good for the soul and what we do.

Walk with me a bit whilst I prepare for All Souls, All Saints, Thanksgiving, and Advent.  Perhaps we can establish a routine that is not routine to nourish that which lasts beyond this mortal coil.  

Jesus Lover of my Soul – Michael Card

Jesus, lover of my soul

Let me to Thy bosom fly

While the nearer waters roll

While the tempest still is high

Hide me, O my Savior, hide

Till the storm of life is past

Safe into the haven guide

O receive my soul at last

Other refuge have I none

Hangs my helpless soul on Thee

Leave, oh! leave me not alone

Still support and comfort me

All my trust in Thee is stayed

All my help from Thee I bring

Cover my defenseless head

With the shadow of Thy wing

Thou, O Christ, art all I want

More than all in Thee I find

Raise the fallen, cheer the faint

Heal the sick, and lead the blind

Just and holy is Thy Name

I am all unrighteousness

False and full of sin am I

Thou art full of truth and grace

Plenteous grace with Thee is found

Grace to cover all my sin

Let the healing streams abound

Make and keep me pure within

Thou of life the fountain art

Freely let me drink of Thee

Spring Thou up within my heart

Rise to all eternity

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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