Spirits – Is the Human Spirit Born or Created ج1
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III addresses an important theological and spiritual issue: Is the human spirit born with the body, or is it created separately for every person? He also discusses common ideas circulating among people about spirits, their movement, and their relation to angels and demons, correcting many popular concepts that are not based on the Holy Bible or the teaching of the Church.
First: Is the Spirit Born or Created?
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the human being is one entity composed of body, soul, and spirit, and that a living being is born with its complete nature. Therefore, the claim that the body is born while the spirit is created later creates many theological problems. The human being is born with his full nature, and the spirit is an essential part of this nature, not something added from outside later.
Second: The Relation Between the Spirit and the Original Sin
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III refers to the historical debate between the saints about this issue. He explains that saying the spirit is created independently may create difficulty in explaining humanity’s participation in the fallen human nature. But if the spirit is part of the inherited human nature, the unity of human nature becomes clearer.
Third: The Church’s Position on Abortion
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III connects this topic with the issue of abortion. He explains that if it is said that the spirit is given to the fetus only after a certain time, this might be used to justify abortion before that time. However, the Church’s teaching affirms that the fetus is a human life from the beginning, therefore abortion is not permitted even if the fetus is only one day old.
Fourth: Wrong Ideas About Spirits After Death
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III corrects some common beliefs among people, such as the idea that the spirit of the deceased stays in the house for several days or wanders in places of memories. He confirms that at death the spirit returns to God who gave it. What is called the third-day prayer is not to expel or send away the spirit, but rather a prayer of consolation for the family of the deceased and a reminder of Christ’s resurrection on the third day.
Fifth: The Invalidity of the Idea of Transmigration of Spirits
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III completely rejects the idea that spirits move between humans or that a human spirit can enter another human, animal, or plant. He affirms that these ideas are not based on the Holy Bible but come from philosophies or beliefs foreign to the Christian faith.
Sixth: The Difference Between the Human Spirit and the Spirit of the Devil
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that demons were originally fallen angels, therefore they possess an angelic nature and powers greater than humans. The human spirit is not of the same nature, and therefore human spirits cannot be equated with demonic spirits in their abilities.
Seventh: God’s Authority Over Everything
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III emphasizes that God is the ruler of all things. Even demons cannot do anything unless God permits it. Everything that happens in the world takes place under God’s authority and wise providence.
The Spiritual Message of the Lecture
The main message is the importance of adhering to the teaching of the Holy Bible and the Church, and not being carried away by popular ideas or philosophies foreign to the Christian faith. Believers are called to understand the spiritual nature of humanity deeply and to trust in God’s perfect providence for human life and destiny.
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