Introduction
The ACBC (Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) has in its certification process two exams: a theological-oriented exam and a practical counseling-oriented exam. The theological exam has a question about how man is constituted. Does the Bible see man as a trichotomy (triplex): a body, a soul, and a spirit or does it see it as a dichotomy (duplex): immaterial (soul/spirit) and body. The difference may seem trivial to some, but there are practical implications. The most simple difference is in counseling. Some religious counselors suggest that if a human can be separated into 3 parts, then we help people using those divisions. For example, medical doctors should treat the body, psychiatrists/secular psychologists should treat the soul (the unredeemed part of the human being), and the religious counselor should treat the spirit (the redeemed part of the human being).
The ACBC strongly recommends the dichotomy view since it treats the counselee as more of a integrated whole. They reject the philosophical basis of the secular psychiatrists and psychologists. ACBC asserts the Bible is sufficient to disciple the whole person. They encourage the biblical counselor to treat the whole person and actively seek to work with medical doctors in treating the whole person.
My experience has been that theologians, especially reformed theologians, argue that the dichotomy is the most biblically supported view and that trichotomy is supported by church members. This page is a summary of my notes on the subject.
Definitions
Dichotomy
Dichotomy according to Merriam Webster means "a division into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities." In the context of theology, dichotomy means that a human being is made up of two parts: the immaterial (spirit/soul) and the physical (body). It is the predominant position of Reformed theology and most serious Evangelical theologians for hundreds of years; however, there are notable exceptions like A. W. Pink. The following quotes defines "dichotomy rather well.Charles Ryrie
Man is made up of two substances, material and immaterial. Each consists of a variety within. The many facets of the material and the many facets of the immaterial join together to make up the whole of each person. Man is rich diversity in unity.
(Basic Theology, p 225)
Trichotomy
Trichotomy according to Merriam Webster is "division into three parts, elements, or classes". In theology in reference to humans it means that a human being can be divided into three substances: body, soul, and spirit (mind). There are numerous theories how the different divisions interact and exist together. Here are two quotes from two very popular systematic theologies that define the doctrine.Charles Hodge
The doctrine [trichotomy] has been held in different forms. The simplest, the most intelligible, and the one most commonly adopted is, that the body is the material part of our constitution; the soul, or ψυχή, is the principle of animal life; and the mind, or πνεῦμα, the principle of our rational and immortal life. When a plant dies its material organization is dissolved and the principle of vegetable life which it contained disappears. When a brute dies its body returns to dust, and the ψυχή, or principle of animal life by which it was animated, passes away. When a man dies his body returns to the earth, his ψυχή ceases to exist, his πνεῦμα alone remains until reunited with the body at the resurrection. To the πνεῦμα, which is peculiar to man, belong reason, will, and conscience. To the πνεῦμα, which is peculiar to man, belong reason, will and conscience. To the ψυχή which we have in common with the brutes, belong understanding, feeling, and sensibility, or, the power of sense-perceptions. To the σῶμα belongs what is purely material.
(Systematic Theology Volume II: Anthropology, p. 47)
Wayne Grudem
According to many trichotomists, man's soul includes his intellect, his emotions, and his will. They maintain that all people have such a soul, and that the different elements of the soul can either serve God or be yielded to sin. They argue that man's spirit is a higher faculty in man that comes alive when a person becomes a Christian (see Rom. 8:10: "If Christ in sin you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness"). The spirit of a person then would be that part of him or her that most directly worships and prays to God (see John 4:24; Phil. 3:3).
(Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, p. 472)
As I mentioned above, A. W. Pink supports trichotomy. He argues since the Godhead has three persons, then God's image of man is reproduce through man being tripartite: soul, spirit, and body. (See The Total Depravity of Man, p. 11).
The position is popular among churches but I looked at several systematic theologies and all of them argue that trichotomy cannot be defended consistently in Scripture. This is not to say the terms soul and spirit are exactly synonymous, but rather their definitions overlap. Charles C. Ryrie in his Basic Theology asserts that "soul" and "spirit" are words that represent different facets of the same thing. For example, I can refer to my wife using multiple words and phrases: my wife, mother-of-my-children, my significant other, the love of my life, etc. If I use multiple terms to introduce her to a stranger like "Here is my wife, my best friend, and the love of my life.", I am emphasizing how much she means to me.
My Research
I used the following tables to summarize my research into the issue. The first table is the list of systematic theologies that argue for dichotomy. These theologies are written by mainstream evangelical authors. They all make solid arguments for the dichotomy view of man. I lean to the reformed side of theology, but I could not find any systematic theologies that argue for trichotomy.
Systematic Theology References that Argue for Dichotomy
| Title | Author | Pages | Chapter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Systematic Theology | Wayne Grudem | 472 - 489 | Chapter 23: The Essential Nature of Man |
| A Theology of Biblical Counseling | Heath Lambert | 194 - 203 | Chapter 7: Biblical Counseling and a Theology of Humanity |
| Systematic Theology: Volume II Anthropology | Charles Hodge | pp. 47 - 51 | Part 2 Division 2 Topic 2. Nature of Man: Trichotomy |
| A Theology of Christian Counseling | Jay E. Adams | pp. 110 - 114 | Chapter 8, Counseling and Human Life: More than Redemption |
| Basic Theology | Charles Ryrie | 223 - 229 | Chapter 32: The Facets of Man |
Verses
| Scripture | Description | Spirit | Soul | Mind | Heart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genesis 2:7 | Creation | N | Y | N | N |
| Deuteronomy 6:4 | Love | N | Y | N | Y |
| Matthew 10:28 | Judgement | N | Y | N | N |
| Isaiah 26:9 | Desire | Y | Y | N | N |
| Mark 12:29–30 | Love | N | Y | Y | Y |
| Luke 1:46–47 | Praise | Y | Y | N | N |
| Luke 10:27 | Love | N | Y | Y | Y |
| 1 Corinthians 15:45 | Glorification | Y | Y | N | N |
| 2 Corinthians 7:1 | Sanctify | Y | N | N | N |
| 1 Thessalonians 5:23 | Sanctify | Y | Y | N | N |
| Hebrews 4:12-13 | Sanctify | Y | Y | N | Y |
| Revelation 6:9 | in Heaven | N | Y | N | N |
| Revelation 20:4 | In Heaven | N | Y | N | N |
Observations
- Heart is used four times with soul. Heart is used once with both soul and spirit. Is heart a separate concept from soul and spirit? Do humans have four different parts? How does the mind tie in?
- In Matthew 10:28 Jesus is talking about Him who can destroy both the body and soul. Jesus seems to be indicating the whole being here: both material and immaterial can be destroyed by God.
- In Luke 1:46-47, This passage is called the "Magnificat". It is where Mary, the mother of Jesus, uses the forms of Hebrew poetry, to praise God. She references "my soul" in verse 46 and "my spirit" in verse 47. The Magnificat, like all good Hebrew poetry uses parallelism: similar but not identical terms in different lines to provide artistry and clarity of expression. The trichotomy argument that the "soul" is the unsaved part of man and the spirit is the regenerated part, falls apart here. Both soul and spirit are praising God.
- In Revelation 20:4, John sees "souls of those whom have been beheaded." Where are the spirits? If "soul" represents the whole immaterial person in passage, why not other passages?
Arguments against Trichotomy
A key to understanding how God sees man is interpreting Genesis 2:7 correctly.Genesis 2:7Ross asserts that the word "soul" in Genesis 2:7 should be understood as referring to the whole man: both material and immaterial together.
then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. (ESV)
Allen P. RossMan's uniqueness in creation does reflect that Man is the image-bearer of God. Man's moral character and reasoning reflects God to creation. Even dichotomy is too strong of word for explaining how God structured Man. God will resurrect the body along with the soul, this indicates that God views humans: both material and immaterial as an essential unity.
Finally, according to Genesis 2:7, the combining of the physical body and the divine produces the "living being." The expression is often translated "living soul." The Hebrews, however, did not think in terms of a soul apart from the body. Rather, the word (nepes, "soul," describes the the whole person--the soul in the body, or a human being with all the appetites (nepes may include the idea of "throat," in the sense of a breathing person) The expression "living being" is used for animals (e.g., 2:19), but "image" never is, nor apparently, is "breath of life." Like the animals, man is a living, breathing being; unlike the animals, however, he arrived at that state in a way that assuredly distinguishes him from the animals.
(Creation and Being, p. 123)
Michael Horton:The verse used most by people who support trichotomy is Hebrews 4:12. "Soul" and "Spirit" are mentioned specifically in the same verse indicating that they cannot represent the same object. The following quotes from commentaries indicate that the distinction is not so clear.
Nevertheless, Scripture does presuppose and explicitly teaches a distinction between the body and the soul--the view known as dichotomy--especially its affirmation of the soul's living presence before God at bodily death. However, it will become obvious in the account I offer below that this view in no way entails, much less requires, a radical anthropological dualism. In that light, I would prefer a term such as psychosomateic holism, since dichotomy implies that the distinction between soul and body is more basic than its unity. The important point is that human nature is not to be identified exclusively or even primarily with the soul; the "real self" is the whole self--body and soul.
(The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims On the Way, p. 377)
Homer A. Kent Jr. on Hebrews 4:12
Although this verse clearly makes a distinction between soul and spirit, it hardly settles the long-debated issue of dichotomy versus trichotomy. Whether the spirit is a completely separate entity from the soul, or resides in the soul as one part of it, cannot be resolved by this verse. Joints and marrow is probably metaphorical here, illustrative of the most precise and inner most discriminating. Inasmuch as joints and marrow are not contiguous, the thought is not that of dividing joints from marrow, but of separating joints from the bones which meet at that point, and laying bare the marrow which is inside the bones.
(The Epistle to the Hebrews: A Commentary, 89)
F. F. Bruce on Hebrews 4:12Let us look at the verse more closely.
It would indeed by precarious to draw any conclusions from these words about our author's psychology, nor is it necessary to understand them in the sense of the Pauline distinction between soul and spirit. That the word of God probes the inmost recesses of our spiritual being and brings the subconscious motives to light is what is meant: we may compare Paul's language about the coming day when the Lord "will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts." (1 Cor. 4:5).
(The New International Commentary of the New Testament: The Epistle to the Hebrews, p. 113)
Hebrews 4:12–13
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (ESV)
Notice that soul and spirit are not the only words used in this verse to describe the immaterial part of humans: the word "heart" is used and it has "thoughts and intentions". How does the term "heart" differ from the terms, "soul" and spirit"? Second, notice that the terms "joints" and "marrow" do not describe the whole physical body. They are not even contiguous. One can divide bones from one another at the joint and one can split apart a bone to get at the marrow. Likewise, the verse is not talking about separating soul from spirit, but rather looking at the divisions of the soul and looking at the divisions of the spirit. All these terms: "spirit", "soul", "joints", and "marrow, are a metaphor of how the God's Word brings what is unseen and not understood in our lives to light.
2nd Corinthians 7:1
Another key verse that argues against the trichotomy view is 2nd Corinthians 7:1, "let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit." In another verse, 1 Peter 2:11, states that we are "to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against the soul." Using the "Trichotomy view" the spirit is what is in communication with God and is "quickened" or "awakened" when a person is converted. The trichotomy view needs to explain why Peter chose the words "body and soul" in verse 2nd Cor. 7:1 rather than body and spirit.
The Differences Between Spirit and Soul
Charles Ryrie on "Soul"To sum up: soul can mean the whole person, alive or after death; it can designate the immaterial part of a person with its many feelings and emotions; and it is an important focus on redemption.
(Basic Theology, pp. 225-226)
Charles Ryrie on "Spirit"
As a facet for the immaterial part of man, one's spirit is the center of various traits, emotions and activities. Some of these include thinking (Isaiah 29:24), remembering (Ps. 77:6), humility (Matt. 5:3), grief (Gen. 26:35), vexation (John 13:21), jealousy (Num. 5:14), haughtiness (Prov. 1618), and contriteness (Ps. 34:18). Because it may evince undesirable emotions, the spirit needs attention in the spiritual life (Ps. 51:10; 2 Cor. 7:1).
To sum up: spirit does not indicate the whole person, but the immaterial part with its various functions and feelings. In Pauline thought it assumes prominence in relation to the spirtual life. (Basic Theology, p. 226)
Conclusion
The trichotomy view might be defended by explaining away the arguments for each verse listed above; however, the view that is the simplest and most clearly supported by scripture is the dichotomy view of man. The terms spirit and soul are used interchangeably and seem to largely overlap. As Ryrie asserts spirit and soul seem to be different facets of the immaterial part of man. Every time someone codifies the definitions of the terms "spirit" and "soul" to support the trichotomy view of man, one can provide verses that seem to be exceptions to the rules.In counseling, the implications of the trichotomy view lead to confusion. The Bible is sufficient to address the whole person. Splitting a person into the different parts so they can be treated separately goes against biblical teaching. Man is a unity that needs to be treated holistically. Counseling addresses the whole man while depending on medical science to give the counselor insight. To suggest that there is a part of man, the soul, which is not being sanctified by our walking in the Holy Spirit, seems to provide excuses for people to sin. For example, counselees use phrases like, "the heart wants what it wants" to explain why a divorce is okay in their case. Sanctification involves the whole person putting to death the temptations of sin. The trichotomy view just muddies the waters of clear teaching.
Verses on Dichotomy:
Deuteronomy 6:4–5
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."
Isaiah 26:9
My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. For when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.
Matthew 10:28
And 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.
Luke 1:46–47
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
Mark 12:29–30
Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Luke 10:27
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:45
Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (ESV)
1 Peter 2:11
Beloved, I urge you has sojourners and exiles ito abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. (ESV)
Revelation 6:9
When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.
Revelation 20:4
Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
Trichotomy
Hebrews 4:12–13
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (ESV)
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:42–49
So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. (ESV)
