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Why did God give us physical body if spirit can live?

InvestigateTruth

Well-Known Member
For those who believe in scriptures. This question came up in another thread by @Tumah, that if our soul can live, why God gave us a physical body.
I suggest, first asking this question:
Does God have a physical Body, or He is Spirit?

The Scriptures of various Religions, teaches God is invisible Spirit, thus no physical Body. So, if physical Body is important and worthy, why doesn't God have one for Himself?

In my view, from Bahai perspective, our coming to this physical world has a purpose. It is likened to the womb. We first live in the womb, so, our body is developed. Once completed, we are born to this world. Then in this physical world, we develop our Spiritual qualities, so, when we leave this World, our spirit is developed to live in the next world, which is spiritual. So, coming to this physical world only is a temporary place to develop our spirit. The physical body is not worthy beyond this life. God's spirit is already perfect, and no need to be developed any farther, and thus He does not need a body.

But once we leave this world, we do not return in the body, as in a physical resurrection. Just as when we are born from the womb, we never go back inside anymore.
 
Last edited:

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Seen from a buddhist P.O.W we are born with physical body because we did not keep the higher standard of moral and ethic in non physical existance and because of this we suffer here on earth until we can go back to non physical bod,y we must end the suffering (no not killing our self) but let go of all attachments to human existance, meaning no matter what happens in life with physical body we should not cling to it, cling to attachments like. greed, anger, jealosy, dispear, like/dislike, and so on.
(this is only a very short explenation)
 

Katzpur

Not your average Mormon
For those who believe in scriptures. This question came up in another thread by @Tumah, that if our soul can live, why God gave us a physical body.
I suggest, first asking this question:
Does God have a physical Body, or He is Spirit?

The Scriptures of various Religions, teaches God is invisible Spirit, thus no physical Body. So, if physical Body is important and worthy, why doesn't God have one for Himself?

In my view, from Bahai perspective, our coming to this physical world has a purpose. It is likened to the womb. We first live in the womb, so, our body is developed. Once completed, we are born to this world. Then in this physical world, we develop our Spiritual qualities, so, when we leave this World, our spirit is developed to live in the next world, which is spiritual. So, coming to this physical world only is a temporary place to develop our spirit. The physical body is not worthy beyond this life. God's spirit is already perfect, and no need to be developed any farther, and thus He does not need a body.

But once we leave this world, we do not return in the body, as in a physical resurrection. Just as when we are born from the womb, we never go back inside anymore.
Well, Mormons believe that He does have a body -- not a mortal body like ours, but an immortal one like each of us will have after we are resurrected. Unlike any other religion I know of, Mormons believe that God created our spirits billions of years prior to our birth here on earth and that we lived in His presence in spirit form before we came to earth. Also, unlike any other religion I know of, we believe that He actually gave us a choice as to whether we wanted to come to earth or not. We understood that in order to attain our full potential as His offspring, this was something we would need to do. We believe that we're here to gain a body and experience the difficulties that only a mortal body can (i.e. sickness, pain, etc.) and to grow spiritual through these adversities. We're also hear to learn to distinguish between right and wrong and to learn to trust in Him and live our lives in accordance to His will. We believe that when the spirit leaves the body at death, it continues to be a cognizant entity and to be able to learn, grow, and make choices. When we are resurrected, that spirit will once again join our body to give it new life. Our new bodies, however, will be perfect and immortal, never to die again. They will be sustained not by blood but by pure spirit.
 

sun rise

The world is on fire
Premium Member
The Scriptures of various Religions, teaches God is invisible Spirit, thus no physical Body. So, if physical Body is important and worthy, why doesn't God have one for Himself?

From another perspective than the Western one, God does have a body. God becomes man as Avatar. Man becomes God, perfect, as well after a long journey of reincarnation.
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
For those who believe in scriptures. This question came up in another thread by @Tumah, that if our soul can live, why God gave us a physical body.
I suggest, first asking this question:
Does God have a physical Body, or He is Spirit?

The Scriptures of various Religions, teaches God is invisible Spirit, thus no physical Body. So, if physical Body is important and worthy, why doesn't God have one for Himself?

In my view, from Bahai perspective, our coming to this physical world has a purpose. It is likened to the womb. We first live in the womb, so, our body is developed. Once completed, we are born to this world. Then in this physical world, we develop our Spiritual qualities, so, when we leave this World, our spirit is developed to live in the next world, which is spiritual. So, coming to this physical world only is a temporary place to develop our spirit. The physical body is not worthy beyond this life. God's spirit is already perfect, and no need to be developed any farther, and thus He does not need a body.

But once we leave this world, we do not return in the body, as in a physical resurrection. Just as when we are born from the womb, we never go back inside anymore.

Real quick. Physical body. The body means life and Crucifixion. The spirit means resurrection.

When you die in the body (confess etc) you are resurrected in spirit with christ. Whether symbolism or literal, it doesn't matter. I say literal since christians have real salvation and real resurrection rather than symbolic.

I'd quote verses, but they never get anywhere.. but that's the idea of the physical nature. As for symbolism, I don't understand that. That's like saying a christian's faith is symbolic.

edit (Recap your quotes) Does Bahai separate spiritual from physical, one symbolic and the other literal; or, are there two types of literal one not depreciating the nature of the other?
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
For those who believe in scriptures. This question came up in another thread by @Tumah, that if our soul can live, why God gave us a physical body.
I suggest, first asking this question:
Does God have a physical Body, or He is Spirit?

The Scriptures of various Religions, teaches God is invisible Spirit, thus no physical Body. So, if physical Body is important and worthy, why doesn't God have one for Himself?

In my view, from Bahai perspective, our coming to this physical world has a purpose. It is likened to the womb. We first live in the womb, so, our body is developed. Once completed, we are born to this world. Then in this physical world, we develop our Spiritual qualities, so, when we leave this World, our spirit is developed to live in the next world, which is spiritual. So, coming to this physical world only is a temporary place to develop our spirit. The physical body is not worthy beyond this life. God's spirit is already perfect, and no need to be developed any farther, and thus He does not need a body.

But once we leave this world, we do not return in the body, as in a physical resurrection. Just as when we are born from the womb, we never go back inside anymore.

Where does it say God is invisible? In fact Genesis 32:22-30; Exodus 24:9-11 both indicate a God which is seen.
 

InvestigateTruth

Well-Known Member
“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1 Timothy 1:17).

Invisible or "unseen". No one in that time had "seen" God. However if taken as invisibility being an aspect of God, then who was Jesus? Jesus was visible.


John 14:9
Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
 

Tumah

Veteran Member
For those who believe in scriptures. This question came up in another thread by @Tumah, that if our soul can live, why God gave us a physical body.
I suggest, first asking this question:
Does God have a physical Body, or He is Spirit?
In Jewish theology G-d neither has a physical body, nor is He spirit. Both of those are limited existences and G-d is Infinite.

The Scriptures of various Religions, teaches God is invisible Spirit, thus no physical Body. So, if physical Body is important and worthy, why doesn't God have one for Himself?
What type of question is that? If eating healthy is important, why doesn't G-d eat healthy? G-d isn't a larger person, he's an entirely different existence.

In my view, from Bahai perspective, our coming to this physical world has a purpose. It is likened to the womb. We first live in the womb, so, our body is developed. Once completed, we are born to this world. Then in this physical world, we develop our Spiritual qualities, so, when we leave this World, our spirit is developed to live in the next world, which is spiritual. So, coming to this physical world only is a temporary place to develop our spirit. The physical body is not worthy beyond this life. God's spirit is already perfect, and no need to be developed any farther, and thus He does not need a body.
This doesn't make a lot of sense to be, because it's analogous to training for underwater swimming, by running around a track. There might be some overlapping benefits, but probably the best place to train for swimming is in a swimming pool. I don't understand why it should make more sense to develop spiritual qualities in a physical world, rather than a spiritual world.

The way I understand it from Jewish sources is that the purpose of the physical creation is to give us the opportunity to be tested so as to come closer to G-d. The testing gives us the impression of having worked for it, which increases the experiences the enjoyment of being connected to G-d, similar to how receiving a paycheck is more enjoyable than receiving a handout. The physical world is the testing grounds for this, because it's the only place where free-will can manifest - in the spiritual dimensions, G-d's Presence is too strong to allow an opportunity for anything but choice in G-d. So the physical world is the place where G-d's Presence is hidden to a significant enough extent as to allow for free-will. The body is the level of the soul that parallels the physical world and the vehicle through which the soul navigates it over the course of it's tests. Since the body and soul together are what is tested, it's only with the body and soul together that true justice can be met. The Resurrection returns the soul to the body and the Day of Judgement provides the final judgement for the soul and body together for their choices over their lifetime and allows them to receive their reward and/or punishment together.
 

2ndpillar

Well-Known Member
In Jewish theology G-d neither has a physical body, nor is He spirit. Both of those are limited existences and G-d is Infinite.

Apparently, man was made in the image of God, therefore, God apparently has an image (Genesis 1:26). Apparently the "LORD" also has a spirit, as in the breath of life (Isaiah 11:2) & (Genesis 2:7). And apparently, the "LORD" has his own angel, such as "angel of the LORD", who ate dinner with Abraham, and talked to Moses. And apparently the Baha's have their own false prophet, Baha.

Isaiah 11:2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
 

2ndpillar

Well-Known Member
Invisible or "unseen". No one in that time had "seen" God. However if taken as invisibility being an aspect of God, then who was Jesus? Jesus was visible.


John 14:9
Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

Yeshua was a "son of man", and "man" was created in God's image (Genesis 1:26). Yeshua was not God, except in the minds of deceived/confused children of the daughters of Babylon/Babel.
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
Yeshua was a "son of man", and "man" was created in God's image (Genesis 1:26). Yeshua was not God, except in the minds of deceived/confused children of the daughters of Babylon/Babel.

So your saying John 14:9 is wrong?
 

2ndpillar

Well-Known Member
So your saying John 14:9 is wrong?

I am saying that Yeshua was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), which does not make him God, but made in the image of God. I am saying that you and the daughters of Babylon are wrong, and if that grouping does not come out "of her", it won't be a pretty sight (Revelation 14:10).
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
I am saying that Yeshua was made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26), which does not make him God, but made in the image of God.

So God has an image? An image means something that can been seen.

I am saying that you and the daughters of Babylon are wrong, and if that grouping does not come out "of her", it won't be a pretty sight (Revelation 14:10).

Lots of folks claim to possess the true understanding of scripture, all certain that it will be someone else facing God's wrath.
 

Faithofchristian

Well-Known Member
For those who believe in scriptures. This question came up in another thread by @Tumah, that if our soul can live, why God gave us a physical body.
I suggest, first asking this question:
Does God have a physical Body, or He is Spirit?

The Scriptures of various Religions, teaches God is invisible Spirit, thus no physical Body. So, if physical Body is important and worthy, why doesn't God have one for Himself?

In my view, from Bahai perspective, our coming to this physical world has a purpose. It is likened to the womb. We first live in the womb, so, our body is developed. Once completed, we are born to this world. Then in this physical world, we develop our Spiritual qualities, so, when we leave this World, our spirit is developed to live in the next world, which is spiritual. So, coming to this physical world only is a temporary place to develop our spirit. The physical body is not worthy beyond this life. God's spirit is already perfect, and no need to be developed any farther, and thus He does not need a body.

But once we leave this world, we do not return in the body, as in a physical resurrection. Just as when we are born from the womb, we never go back inside anymore.

God did have a physical body, in Christ Jesus.

Now for the question you ask, "Why did God give us physical body if spirit can live?

To learn what we should haved learned the first time,
Before God put each one of us into our own body of flesh and blood, we were spirit beings.
That now being in this body of flesh and blood, we are to learn what we should haved learned the first time.

Between the truth of God's and the lies of
Lucifer ( Satan's,)
That's why God put each and everyone of us in this physical body.

Back about a Million or more years ago, Lucifer ( Satan ) started his rebellion against God and thru Lucifer ( Satan's ) rebellion lead a third of the angels in his rebellion against God.

So seeing not everyone followed Lucifer
( Satan ) in his rebellion against God.

All the others didn't know quite sure which side to choose to go to.

So God came up with a plan and created a body's of flesh and blood, and put each one of us in their own body of flesh and blood to learn between the truth of God's and the lies of Lucifer ( Satan's )

So now here we are to learn what we didn't learn before.

It's all there within the scriptures ( bible)
 

2ndpillar

Well-Known Member
So God has an image? An image means something that can been seen.



Lots of folks claim to possess the true understanding of scripture, all certain that it will be someone else facing God's wrath.

According to Daniel 12:10, the "wicked", the lawless, will have no understanding. According to Revelation 14:10, those with the "mark of the beast" will have to drink from the cup of God's wrath. As it is the "tares", "those who commit lawlessness" who will be thrown into the "furnace of fire", I would conjecture, that your everyday lawless "Christian", will be looking at a hot time in the old town soon enough.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
For those who believe in scriptures. This question came up in another thread by @Tumah, that if our soul can live, why God gave us a physical body.
I suggest, first asking this question:
Does God have a physical Body, or He is Spirit?

The Scriptures of various Religions, teaches God is invisible Spirit, thus no physical Body. So, if physical Body is important and worthy, why doesn't God have one for Himself?

In my view, from Bahai perspective, our coming to this physical world has a purpose. It is likened to the womb. We first live in the womb, so, our body is developed. Once completed, we are born to this world. Then in this physical world, we develop our Spiritual qualities, so, when we leave this World, our spirit is developed to live in the next world, which is spiritual. So, coming to this physical world only is a temporary place to develop our spirit. The physical body is not worthy beyond this life. God's spirit is already perfect, and no need to be developed any farther, and thus He does not need a body.

But once we leave this world, we do not return in the body, as in a physical resurrection. Just as when we are born from the womb, we never go back inside anymore.

I believe physical life is the way a spirit learns. The spirit can only enjoy what it has already learned when it is in the spiritual state.

I believe God is a spirit who can inhabit a body similar to the way we can but with God since He is everywhere, at the same time He is in a body, He is everywhere else as well.

I believe God also likes to experience the world He created. After all what good is it to have toys if you don't get to play with them.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
Seen from a buddhist P.O.W we are born with physical body because we did not keep the higher standard of moral and ethic in non physical existance and because of this we suffer here on earth until we can go back to non physical bod,y we must end the suffering (no not killing our self) but let go of all attachments to human existance, meaning no matter what happens in life with physical body we should not cling to it, cling to attachments like. greed, anger, jealosy, dispear, like/dislike, and so on.
(this is only a very short explenation)

I don't believe this point of view has ever been reasoned out.
 

Muffled

Jesus in me
Well, Mormons believe that He does have a body -- not a mortal body like ours, but an immortal one like each of us will have after we are resurrected. Unlike any other religion I know of, Mormons believe that God created our spirits billions of years prior to our birth here on earth and that we lived in His presence in spirit form before we came to earth. Also, unlike any other religion I know of, we believe that He actually gave us a choice as to whether we wanted to come to earth or not. We understood that in order to attain our full potential as His offspring, this was something we would need to do. We believe that we're here to gain a body and experience the difficulties that only a mortal body can (i.e. sickness, pain, etc.) and to grow spiritual through these adversities. We're also hear to learn to distinguish between right and wrong and to learn to trust in Him and live our lives in accordance to His will. We believe that when the spirit leaves the body at death, it continues to be a cognizant entity and to be able to learn, grow, and make choices. When we are resurrected, that spirit will once again join our body to give it new life. Our new bodies, however, will be perfect and immortal, never to die again. They will be sustained not by blood but by pure spirit.

I don't believe there is any text that says God has a body. The Holy Spirit in me says He doesn't.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
I don't believe this point of view has ever been reasoned out.
Well it is buddhist teaching. But we tend to not dwell on what has been, we try to only live in this moment and not in past or future, so what actually did happen that time is not of importanse now. what is important to a buddhist is how to end suffering and end the reincarnation cycle in to physicl life form.
 
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