Soul Survivor

Abstract

The word “soul” is frequent in English Bible versions, interpreted in popular culture in ways both similar to, and different from, the ancient meanings of the respective Hebrew and Greek words. Recently some scientists have proposed a meaning related to the brain’s energy field. The question is raised if “soul” is the best translation gloss for the passages where it appears in English versions. Do the related Hebrew and Greek words (nephesh and psuchē) in these contexts mean what modern readers usually think when they encounter “soul” in a Bible version? This essay provides a selective exegetical examination of pertinent passages and issues to help clarify when “soul” is an appropriate translation. This has implications for how we talk about the afterlife and related issues as we communicate internationally about biblical theology and the Gospel.