Is man 2 part as the Church teaches?

[dwhtxsports]

The Catholic Church teaches that the human being is 2 part, body and spiritual soul. I have heard a protestant say that this completely contradicts scripture since scripture states that man has a body, a seperate spirit, and a seperate soul. I know that the Chuch does not teach error, but could someone please help clear this up for me. I am not sure which verse he quoted, but he implied it was from St. Paul.

 

[scottm]

The Bible is ambiguous on this point. One can produce proof texts for both positions.

 

[JimG]

Body and soul are philosophical terms used to describe what makes up a human being. We have a physical component (body) and a non-physical component (spirit.) A soul is the life-principle of a living being. It may be material or spiritual. In the case of human beings, our soul is spirit. So that for us, when speaking of spirit and soul, they are the same thing.

 

[davidv]

Where did you get this teaching? I don’t believe that the Church teaches this. As a human being, I am whole, with physical and spiritual attributes. If 'body" and “soul” are separated, I am no longer properly “human”.

 

[JimG]

Where did you get this teaching? I don’t believe that the Church teaches this. As a human being, I am whole, with physical and spiritual attributes. If 'body" and “soul” are separated, I am no longer properly “human”.

I didn’t mean to imply dualism. Yes, a human being is a single entity, yet composed of body and soul. You are right: body and soul can only be separated by death. And the soul survives death because it is spirit.

 

[dwhtxsports]

The Bible is ambiguous on this point. One can produce proof texts for both positions.

Can you help me with some scrptural quotes that defend the Church’s position. I know that we are not bound to sola scriptura, but if there are texts from scripture that support the Church’s position, I would love to read them. Thank you all for your answers to my question.

 

[rwoehmke]

Where did you get this teaching? I don’t believe that the Church teaches this. As a human being, I am whole, with physical and spiritual attributes. If 'body" and “soul” are separated, I am no longer properly “human”.

I don’t know about properly human, but man you are dead.

 

[cpayne]

A verse in 1 Thessalonians refers to “spirit, soul, and body.” However, basically this means the same as “spiritual and physical.” So both could be seen as right.

The problem with a great deal of Protestants I’ve heard on this topic is that they think of humans as spirits living inside bodies (dualism). Have you ever heard, “I am a spirit, I have a soul, I live in a body”? When things go to that extent, it becomes heretical. It’s best just to stick with what we know: humans are a unity of spirit and body, which is what the CC teaches.

 

[dwhtxsports]

A verse in 1 Thessalonians refers to “spirit, soul, and body.” However, basically this means the same as “spiritual and physical.” So both could be seen as right.

The problem with a great deal of Protestants I’ve heard on this topic is that they think of humans as spirits living inside bodies (dualism). Have you ever heard, “I am a spirit, I have a soul, I live in a body”? When things go to that extent, it becomes heretical. It’s best just to stick with what we know: humans are a unity of spirit and body, which is what the CC teaches.

Does any other part of Scripture talk about this physican and spiritual human body?

 

[dessert]

Does any other part of Scripture talk about this physican and spiritual human body?

We were created body and soul in the “image of God” and through the body of Christ we become temple s of the Holy Spirit , thus love your brotheres and sisters in the Faith.
D.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

We protestants see in the bible uni-partite, bi-partite and tri-partite depending what tradtion we were raised in. Those that believe in soul sleep for example follow the uni-partite position that spirit or life force entered the body and “man became a living soul” Genesis 2:7.

The tripartite postion see man as consisting of three parts body, soul and spirit, this is based on a reading of 1 Thessalonians 5:23
and on Hebrews 4:12. This most common position among “low church” groups.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (King James Version)

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.

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Apartenly you are saying that catholics are bipartite spiritual side and material side. So, I would expect that Lutherns may likely also be bi-partite because of common roots. I expect this may be the common position of “high church” groups.