DIFFERENT DEATHS OF ANIMALS AND HUMANS
Animals are two-part beings: body and soul.
- The body is the physical/visible part.
- The soul includes the mind, the will, emotions, and the five senses. It keeps the body alive.
Humans are three-part beings: body, soul, and spirit.
May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23b)
- The body is the physical/visible part.
- The soul includes the mind, the will, emotions, and the five senses. It keeps the body alive.
- The spirit is the inmost being, the part that connects humans to their Creator who created humans in His spiritual image.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
Scripture explains the two separate parts, soul and spirit.
The word of God is living and active. Sharper that any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. (Hebrews 4:12)
At His crucifixion, Jesus made the clear distinction between soul and spirit.
- (soul: the part with emotions)
My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. (Matthew 26:38a)
- (spirit: the part connecting Him to the Father)
Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. (Matthew 27:50; Luke 23:46; John 19:30)
At death, humans leave their bodies immediately. Jesus said to the believing criminal on the cross beside Him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:43)
Animals just cease to exist when they die.
This is the Summary: The real difference between humans and animals is that humans were created in God's image, and animals were not.
Gray, C., Hunting and Fishing: A God-given Responsibility. ©2004. p. 53
