THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
We are told that no man can retain the spirit after death (Ecclesiastes 8:8), and yet Peter restored the spirit of Tabitha after death (Acts 9:37, 40). Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
Let us consider what the texts in question say:

Ecclesiastes 8:8
No one has power over the spirit to retain the spirit, and no one has power in the day of death. There is no release from that war, and wickedness will not deliver those who are given to it.

Acts 9:37, 40
But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her they laid her in an upper room. .... But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.' And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.

Certainly, none of us have the power to retain our own spirit. When death comes upon us, we will not be able to retain the spirit in our body. Tabitha did not retain her spirit. She had died, but was raised from the dead by the apostle Peter. Such power was given to the apostles, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:8).

There is no contradiction.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible, but original article is no longer listed

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