Anthropology

Explore biblical anthropology as we compare dichotomy (humanity as body and soul) with trichotomy (body, soul, and spirit) and show why Scripture supports a trichotomist view. We contrast interpretive approaches, noting how a literal hermeneutic handles passages often cited for dichotomy (Genesis 2:7; Isaiah 53:10–11; Matthew 10:28) and then examine texts that explicitly distinguish the parts of man (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:42–44). We also consider theological implications for salvation and the Christian life, including the “salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:9), fleshly lusts that “war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11), and spiritual warfare that targets the believer’s rationale (Ephesians 6:11–12). This message sets the foundation for upcoming sessions defining the body, the soul, and the spirit, and demonstrates how precise terms and a consistent literal hermeneutic safeguard clarity across doctrines. Join us as we lay the groundwork for understanding what humans are made of and why it matters for faith and practice.