Josh

I am puzzled by this comment

“You seem to be suggesting (with your reference to 1500 years) that the immortality of the soul is a post-biblical notion. Again, I agree.”

The Christian scriptures clearly envision an afterlife of a sort different from the descent into the twilight world of Sheol that is prevalent through most of the Jewish scriptures. This corresponds to the shift from an ethic based on human, this world flourishing to one which goes beyond this world and which involves self abnegation, the dissolution of tribal boundaries and forgiveness without limit. God also becomes a being not of this world but beyond the world.

The life beyond death of the New Testament is one for human beings, not for souls. The split between body and soul is a Greek (Platonic idea) that only begins to have currency a good deal later. My reading of the New Testament writings, especially John, is that after death we live forever. In any event, I do not think there is anything in the idea of eternal life that mandates life outside of time- again a Greek idea. It could just as well be life in time. Both ideas, of course are replete with difficulties.

Paul