Does it matter trichotomy verse dichotomy?

Do these two separate views change the working of the Holy Spirit?

To be clear theologians that I love both had their own view on this topic!

Charles H. Spurgeon - did believe that humans are divided into body, soul, and spirit.

Jonathan Edwards - is generally considered to align more with the dichotomous view, which states that humans are made up of two parts: body and soul. While he engaged with various theological concepts, the dichotomy of body and soul seemed to be more prevalent in his writings.

There are great arguments for both sides.

Let us look at the positives for the trinitarian view of human beings.

Those in favor of the trinitarian view of humans or trichotomy uses these passages:

Romans 8:16 “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,”

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.”

Hebrews 4:12 “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.”

With just a quick reading of these verses one would say… man seems to be listed in a three-part composition.

Why bring it up?

Some like to divide over small items. They say, to keep with the integrity of scripture one must have my view.

They share their view and say if you don’t believe the same on this issue it’s clear that you are not saved. I must separate from you.

But as noted before Spurgeon and Edwards both had differing thoughts on the same topic.

Does that mean one of them was saved and the other lost?

I would agree that there are views that require a separation… is this one of those views?

I personally find it hard to argue for a trichotomous view after reading these passages:

Matthew 6:25 ““Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”

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.”

Or Luke 1:46–47 “And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” seemingly using soul and spirit interchangeably.

The word soul in this Luke passage is 5590. ψυχή psuchē, psoo-khay´; from 5594; breath, i.e. (by impl.) spirit, abstr. or concr. (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from 4151, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from 2222, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Heb. 5315, 7307 and 2416):—heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you Strong, J. (2009). In A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 79). Logos Bible Software.

The second word “spirit” that is used in verse 47 is the word...4151. πνεῦμα pnĕuma, pnyoo´-mah; from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by anal. or fig. a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by impl.) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, dæmon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy Spirit:—ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. comp. 5590. Strong, J. (2009). In A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Vol. 1, p. 58). Logos Bible Software.

Waren Wiersbe in his summary does not distinguish between the two words, soul and spirit. He states this about the Luke 1:46-47 passage. The joy of Mary (vv. 46–56). Hers was a joy that compelled her to lift her voice in a hymn of praise. The fullness of the Spirit should lead to joyful praise in our lives (Eph. 5:18–20), and so should the fullness of the Word (Col. 3:16–17). Mary’s song contains quotations from and references to the Old Testament Scriptures, especially the Psalms and the song of Hannah in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. Mary hid God’s Word in her heart and turned it into a song.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 173). Victor Books.

In defense of this view of the trichotomy view:

The dichotomist view notes these two words are often used interchangeably. “Soul” and “Spirit” share many meanings!

The trichotomous view response that we take the whole of scripture not just the OT to respond.

The dichotomist view notes that both “soul” and “spirit” can be used in worship like

Luke 1:46–47 “And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” “We just noted”

Or both are affected in salvation:

James 1:21 “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

1 Corinthians 5:5 “you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

Both are present in thinking:

Acts 14:2 “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.”

1 Corinthians 2:11 “For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

Both are present when talking about the body in reference to the whole person.

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.”

James 2:6 “But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court?”