Then you don't accept the bodily resurrection at the Cross per Matthew 27.
I don't think that follows from what I said.
You can function only as a soul. The OT redeemed waited in Abraham's bosom only as a soul without a body and spirit.
Unifying body and spirit resulted in a living person - a soul. Once the spirit leaves the body the person - the soul - no longer exists.
So God cannot see the souls in sheol? Do those currently in sheol have a physical body?
Bodies lay in sheol - the grave- a hole in the ground. A review of Acts chapter 2 will be helpful to our discussion. In that passage, Peter argues on the basis that "David both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day." By contrast, Christ was not abandoned to Hades (Sheol) nor did is flesh suffer decay. "Jesus was raised up again." says Peter. "And having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he pour forth this which you both see and hear."
What can we conclude from this? Peter argues that David spoke as a prophet, and because God promised that a son of his would rule on his throne, he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of Christ -- that it would be Christ whom God would not abandon to Hades. Consequently, we must conclude that David did not rise up to heaven, as many believe. David was left in Hades (Sheol.) where his flesh decayed. The same is true of all the Patriarchs. As of now, they remain abandoned to Hades. This is why it says, "the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them . . ."
My argument is that the soul is physically dead with or without a physical body, because this flesh itself is called "mortal" meaning death. Humanity should pick another word to describe this "mortal" body besides "mortal" per your argument.
You can define your terms however you like, but if we are discussing what the Bible means by such terms, then I don't think you are using the term "mortal" the way the Bible does. A mortal body isn't a dead body. A mortal body is a body
subject to death. It isn't dead now; it will be dead eventually.
You can argue with Scripture over whether the body returns to dust or is literally in sheol so they can see each other. That has never been my point.
Humans are only their soul, and obviously don't need a body nor spirit to actually exist.
Well, I argued from scripture that a "soul" results from the unification of body and spirit. Genesis 2:7 Consider other alloys or combinations of things, which result in something entirely new. Steel is a mixture of Iron and nickel, and stainless steel is a mixture of iron, nickel, and chrome. The combination of these elements results in something new and unique.
When you mix red and yellow, you get orange. If you remove the red, the orange color will disappear, and you'll be left with yellow. Similarly, when you mix blue and red, you get violet. If you take away the red, the violet color will disappear, and you'll be left with blue.
Likewise, when a body and a spirit come together, a soul is formed. However, if you remove the body, the spirit will remain, but the soul will be lost.
"What happens to a soul that is abandoned in Hades?" This question arises because the term "soul" refers to one's life and experiences. Therefore, when the body dies, the soul is lost, and the person's life ends, which means they can no longer create new memories, take care of their loved ones, accomplish important tasks, or begin new projects. That person is lost.
Comparing humans to a mouse trap is not even close to what Scripture indicates. Can a mouse trap be dead even with all it's parts? Is it alive and can it think for itself? Your argument falls apart, because a soul is already in a state of death, in a mortal body that means dead body, and a spirit that becomes a demonic spirit is already dead, yet has a purpose to possess another soul. And a legion of demonic spirits can possess one soul. Luke 8
Again, "mortal" doesn't mean "dead." A body subject to death is still alive. And Luke 8 doesn't support your contention that demonic spirits can possess a soul.
We know the soul separates from the body, and can do just fine at that point. The body is left behind and normally in a casket until placed into the ground. Are you arguing there is another body the soul enters into in sheol?
No. I am arguing that at death, the body and the spirit separate and as a result soul ceases to exist. What enters the grave is the body, which is subject to decay as it returns to dust. The spirit returns to God who gave it.
The concept of the "soul" refers to the life a person lives, encompassing all of their experiences, relationships, accomplishments, struggles, and everything in between from birth until death. Once a person passes away, their life comes to an end and they cease to exist. The only possibility for continued existence would be through some sort of resurrection from death.
The phrase "the soul of David was abandoned to the grave" indicates that all of David's activities, hopes, dreams, aspirations, plans, loves, hates, goals, and his way of life have come to an end. After he was buried, he was no longer able to serve as the King of Israel, provide for his family and people, or defend his country against their enemies. He was no longer a living
soul, so his story ended there.
If so, then why argue against the soul having God's permanent incorruptible physical body currently in Paradise?
My argument is based on the implications of Genesis 2:7. God took dust from the ground and breathed into it and it became a
living soul. The adjective indicates that Adam was active, busy, occupied with everyday life, setting goals, performing tasks and things such as these. When a body dies, the spirit, not the soul, returns to God who gave it. The soul ceases to exist.
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
Paul states that our glorification is pending the return of Jesus Christ. We currently possess it as an inheritance.
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
Paul indicates that we shall be changed, and he subsequently describes the change in the verses that follow. He compares those who have died with those who are still alive. According to him, the dead who follow Christ will first be raised from the dead before they can experience the change. This contradicts the belief that the dead are waiting in heaven for this transformation to occur.
The Greek word for spirit may mean air, but the Scriptural term is associated with a flaming fire, which is light.
The Greek word for spirit naturally includes the concept of "breath" (not air) since a lack of breath usually indicates a dead body. Since breath seems to animate the body, the term spirit indicates that which animates the person, e.g love, hate, dreams, wishes, beliefs, hopes, and other things that motivate a person.
With regard to the spirits of God, Paul is indicating that the spirits of God bring light, that is, wisdom, knowledge, enlightenment, insight, and discernment.
