Trichotomy or Dichotomy?

[~candice~]

Some scripture to start discussions

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

[Fraught]

i have been taught that the soul is where our emotions reside. the soul is subject to temporal influences; our spirit is either the spirit of God or the other. our spirit is synonymous with the heart in many places in scripture - it remains the same and is the ultimate influence upon the soul.

[Wingwalker]

i have been taught that the soul is where our emotions reside. the soul is subject to temporal influences; our spirit is either the spirit of God or the other. our spirit is synonymous with the heart in many places in scripture - it remains the same and is the ultimate influence upon the soul.

This too is what I was taught.

[glorywatch]

We, like our creator are a three part being. Body, soul and spirit.

[ParanoidAndroid]

If you have a look at the Greek words being used in these sections, the word translated "soul" is ψυχή - (psuchē), and refers to the our physical lives. Other examples where this word is used:

....for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." ~ Matthew 2:20

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ~ Matthew 6:25

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ~ John 10:11

There are other passages, but these are three of them that give an idea of what "soul" is referred to here - our physical lives/physical existences. Compare this to the word translated as "Spirit" - πνεῦμα (pneuma), which refers to incorporeal essence. Other examples where this word is used:

....but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. ~ Matthew 1:18

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. ~ Matthew 4:1

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ~ Matthew 5:3

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." ~ John 4:24

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The boldened words are all the same words as translated in Hebrews 4. There are literally dozens of examples I could have quoted for you all, these are just a few of them. I think it fair to say that "Soul" and "Spirit" spoken of in Hebrews are different, but I think it might be better to consider the context of the verse in the sense that the word of God is a double-edged sword, capable of separating our physical finite lives (translated "soul") from our eternal infinite existence (translated "spirit").

Considering these terms then, I wouldn't say it is a "dichotomy" or "trichotomy" at all, and so as such will not necessarily vote in your poll, unless there was an "Other" option. All the best,

Edited June 18, 2008 by ParanoidAndroid

[Fraught]

Jesus' statement in mark 8:36 is one that clouds the issue somewhat. where he says what good is it to gain the world and forfeit one's own soul? if the soul is only physical and temporary like i've learned, then why would he say this? is this one of those places where the original greek makes it more clear? just wondering.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Jesus' statement in mark 8:36 is one that clouds the issue somewhat. where he says what good is it to gain the world and forfeit one's own soul? if the soul is only physical and temporary like i've learned, then why would he say this? is this one of those places where the original greek makes it more clear? just wondering.

I don't think it clouds the issue at all, Fraught. The word "soul" in this instance is the word ψυχή - (psuchē), which depending on what passage you read refers to your physical life-force *see above post for further details*

This word "soul", is probably better translated as "life" (or perhaps "life force"), in my opinion, based on reading my Greek dictionary. It may take some of the mysticism out of the understanding of passages such as Mark 8, but I think it also shows a more balanced view - what point in gaining the whole world only to lose our lives? For the record, this is what my dictionary says of this word:

ψυχή

psuchē

breath, that is, (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from "pneuma", which is the rational and immortal soul....

(pneuma being the earlier mentioned reference to the immortal soul as referenced as "Spirit" in the verses discussed).

That may not be a translation some Christians would like to hear, because it takes away from the force of this passage as a claim for gaining the whole world but losing our eternal soul to hell, but nevertheless, that is what this passage is saying, according to the Greek. I still think the concept is there - gain the whole world and you still lose your life, but it takes away from the symbolic meaning of "eternal life".

Edited June 20, 2008 by ParanoidAndroid