Spirit and Soul and Body, Part I
2021-12-25
What is the nature of a human being? What are the essential parts that make up a person? There are three major viewpoints.
Monism says human beings are completely one unit. There is a oneness or singleness about human nature; the material and immaterial parts make up a single unit.
Dichotomy says humans are material and immaterial. The soul and the spirit would be the same thing or part of the same larger immaterial part.
Trichotomy says humans are body, soul, and spirit. The soul and the spirit are completely separate things.
Monism is generally rejected from a Biblical standpoint. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). Philippians 1:21-23 says that Paul would rather die and be with Christ. Those who have died as martyrs are in heaven as disembodied “souls” in Revelation 6:9, not to be risen until Revelation 7 to be reunited with their bodies.
After a preliminary look, we can conclude a few things. First, the soul and spirit are different things:
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
Here, we see that the Lord wants us to be blameless in our entire spirit, soul, and body. If these things were the same, He would not mention them separately.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
The Word of God is likened to a sharp sword that could even divide the soul and spirit. This implies that they are intwined to a degree but can be separable into separate categories.
However, there is definitely overlap between the soul and spirit:
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. (Job 7:11)
And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. (1 Samuel 1:15)
Emotional pain can be felt in both the spirit and the soul.
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. (Luke 1:46-47)
In the Magnificat, Mary praises and rejoices in her Savior in both the soul and spirit.
So what exactly is the difference between the spirit, soul, and body? We will look at these shortly.