The Doctrine of Man in Relation to God. (2)

2. The Origin of the Soul of Each Individual.

Introduction.

"There are three views respecting the Origin of the Individual Soul.

1. Pre- Existentialism Some advocate the idea that the souls of men existed in a previous state, and that something that happened then accounts for their present condition. A few found this an explanation of the fact that man is born as a sinner. This view is now unfavourable.
2. Traducianism. This view states that men derive their souls as well as their bodies from their parents.This is the common view of Lutherans. Support for this view comes from the fact that nothing is said about the creation of Eve’s soul. and that the descendants are said to be in the loins of their ancestors. Gen 46:26  All the souls that came with Jacob into Egypt, who came out of his loins, besides Jacob's sons' wives, all the souls were sixty-six.  Heb 7:9  And if I may say so, Levi, also, who receives tithes, paid tithes in Abraham. Heb 7:10  For he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.  There are similarities with animals.

However, there are some serious difficulties. It either makes the parents, creators, or    assumes that the soul can be divided into various parts. This endangers the sinlessness of Jesus.

c.   Creationism. This holds that each soul is a direct creation of God, of which the time  can not be precisely determined." L.Berkhof p.68

d. Myer Pearlman states, “ The Origin of each soul may be explained by the co-operation of both Creator and Parents. In the beginning of a new life, a divine creation and the creative use of means work together. Man begets man in co-operation with the “Father of spirits”. God’s Power controls and permeates the whole world. Acts 1:28 and Hebrews 1:3; so that all creatures come into being according to laws he has ordained. There for the normal processes of Human Reproduction set in motion those Divine laws of life which cause a human soul to be born into this world.

The Origin of all forms of life is a veiled mystery.

Ecc 11:5  As you do not know what is the way of the spirit, as how the bones grow in the pregnant woman's womb; even so you do not know the works of God who makes all.

Psa 139:13  For You have possessed my inward parts; You have covered me in my mother's womb.

Psa 139:14  I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are marvelous and my soul knows it very well.

Psa 139:15  My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret and skillfully formed in the lowest parts of the earth.

Psa 139:16  Your eyes saw my embryo; and in Your book all my members were written, the days they were formed, and not one was among them.

This fact should warn us against all speculation beyond what the Scriptures say.