Now a few passages to show that soul (Hebrew: nephesh) is not some immaterial essence, but is applied to the ordinary, natural functions of fleshly creatures:

• Prov. 6:30: "Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul (nephesh) when he is hungry."
• Isa. 29:8: "A hungry man dreameth, and behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul (nephesh) is empty--a thirsty man dreameth, and behold, he drinketh, but he awaketh, and his soul (nephesh) hath appetite."
• Lev. 17:10-11: "I will even set my face against that soul (nephesh) that eateth blood...For the life (nephesh--soul) of the flesh is in the blood..."
• Deut. 12:20-23: "Thy soul (nephesh) longeth to eat flesh thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul (nephesh) lusteth after...the blood is the life (nephesh--soul); and thou mayest not eat the life (nephesh--soul) . . ."

It is clear that the immortal soulists' only solution is to do what they have done, and regard the Bible as merely the speculations of partially enlightened men. They could not possibly agree with Peter's statement (2 Peter 1:21), that:

"Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."