Some Christians know what an individual soul is. Other Christians do not know this.
Since God loved us so very dearly that he chose to send his only Son to die on the cross to save our souls from death, it is most important to know about the human soul with all certainty. Doesn’t this make us unique and different from all creatures like animals?
The soul of each person is the pearl of great price for which God gave up His all – His precious Son— to redeem our lives, i.e., to save our souls. You can read about the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:45-46 (Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.) Here, the soul of the individual is the pearl of great price. All that God had was God’s begotten Son, Jesus Christ, whom He gave up to die on the cross – the supreme sacrifice – so that the individual soul is saved.
Quick Navigation: Universal Soul Vs Individual Soul in Christianity
What is the Universal Soul?
Dimensions of truth on the human soul
Why is Jesus the only way?
Conclusion: Soul in Christianity Vs ‘Universal Soul’
What is the Universal Soul?
The concept that “the soul is universal” means that all souls are the same or part of a shared essence/consciousness. While other philosophies and religious beliefs may hold this view, it is in conflict with biblical doctrine and thus contrary to Christian faith.
Dimensions of truth on the human soul
The concept that “the soul is universal” means that all souls are one and the same, or part of a shared essence. It aligns with other philosophies, and it is in conflict with traditional biblical doctrine.
The Bible consistently teaches that each person has an individual soul, uniquely accountable to God.
Here are several scriptures that contradict the idea of a universal soul:
1. Matthew 10:28
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Jesus refers to the soul as something unique to the individual that can be destroyed, not eternal or universally shared.
2. Ezekiel 18:4
“Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.”
This shows individual accountability of each soul, not a shared or collective soul.
3. Hebrews 9:27
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment…”
This implies each person has a unique life and a distinct judgment, again denying any notion of a universal or shared soul.
4. Luke 16:22-23 (The Rich Man and Lazarus)
“The rich man also died and was buried. And in Hades, being in torment…”
This parable demonstrates that individual souls have different experiences after death, which would not be possible if all souls were one and the same.
Why is Jesus the only way?
The Bible is very clear about there being one God and only one way to be reconciled to Him: through Jesus Christ. This theme is central to both the Old and New Testaments.
Below are key verses that emphasise this truth:
1. John 14:6
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
This is the clearest statement in Scripture that Jesus is the only way to God.
2. Deuteronomy 6:4
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
Known as the Shema, this is a foundational statement of Jewish monotheism.
3. Isaiah 45:5
“I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me, there is no God.”
God directly declares His exclusivity: no other gods exist beside Him.
4. 1 Timothy 2:5
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Paul affirms both monotheism and the exclusive role of Christ as mediator.
4. James 2:19
“You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”
Even the spiritual realm acknowledges the singularity of God.
5. Acts 4:12
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Peter declares that salvation is found exclusively in Jesus Christ.
6. Matthew 7:13–14
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction… But the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Jesus teaches that the way to life is narrow — not many paths, but one.
7. John 3:16–18
“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Salvation is only for those who believe in Jesus. Rejecting him means condemnation.
8. 1 John 5:11–12
“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
Eternal life is tied exclusively to a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: Soul in Christianity Vs ‘Universal Soul’
The Bible affirms this, and every Christian belief is:
Every human has an individual soul.
Each soul is morally responsible to God.
Salvation and judgment are personal and not collective.
Jesus Christ is the only path to salvation
The idea of a universal soul aligns with Hinduism, Buddhism, or New Age mysticism, but it is incompatible with the personal God and individual accountability central to biblical Christianity.
Note: One of my cousin brothers, in a casual manner, spoke casually about the Universal Soul. I felt that it’s important that the truth of the matter be conveyed to my dear cousin brother, whom I love and respect very much. Hence, I got my niece, who is a Bible scholar, and my son to work on this topic. Much of the above is based on content articulated and compiled by them at my request. I am grateful to them.
