The Body as a Temple
The dualistic theory of a mortal body with an immortal soul has gen-
erated various theories about the human body. For example, for ancient
Greek philosophers, the human body was the prison of the soul, which
was liberated by death. In an echo of this pagan concept, many Christians
today believe that the body is the temporal housing of the immortal soul,
which will be reintegrated with the body at the resurrection. By contrast,
pantheists make the human body divine; they believe that God and the
universe are one and the same. For them, all things are God and the
human body is part of the one single, integrated, and universal divine
substance. Surrounded by conflicting theories on the subject, we must
stand firm on what the Bible teaches regarding the nature of humanity.
Read 1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20; and 1 Corinthians
10:31. How can the understanding that our bodies are “the temple
of God” and “the temple of the Holy Spirit” positively influence
our lifestyle?
Both Adam and Eve were created in God’s own image and likeness
(Gen. 1:26, 27), which was reflected not only in their character but also
in their physical aspect. Because that image was marred and even hid-
den by the presence of sin, the work of redemption is to restore human
beings, including their physical health, to their original condition, to the
degree possible for beings unable to partake of the tree of life.
This restoration is a lifetime process that will be completed only at
Christ’s second coming, when the corruptible puts on incorruption and
the mortal becomes immortal (1 Cor. 15:53, 54).
The apostle John wrote to his friend Gaius, “Beloved, I pray that all
may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is
well with your soul” (3 John 1:2, NRSV).
If we recognize that a human being is an indivisible entity, and that
religion embraces all aspects of human life, then we should consider the
protection of our physical health also to be a religious duty. We should be
guided by the inspired principle “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever
you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31, NKJV). But remember
that we still live in a world where good people can do their best and yet
suffer the consequences of a sinful human nature and a sinful environ-
ment. So, we should trust in God and do our best, and we leave the results
with God.
