Pls explain the difference/similarity between soul and spirit using the bible

[ElCid]

Pls explain the difference/similarity between soul and spirit using the bible. Can it the two be distinguished at all using the bible? Which is the life principle? Which animates the body? I would like to have the Catholic perspective please. Thanks

 

[thistle]

Pls explain the difference/similarity between soul and spirit using the bible. Can it the two be distinguished at all using the bible? Which is the life principle? Which animates the body? I would like to have the Catholic perspective please. Thanks

I recommend an excellent book called Theology for Beginners by F.J. Sheed. It has a great chapter on the Soul and will answer all your questions.

 

[Fidelis]

Pls explain the difference/similarity between soul and spirit using the bible. Can it the two be distinguished at all using the bible? Which is the life principle? Which animates the body? I would like to have the Catholic perspective please. Thanks

One of the things that has always made it hard to answer the question as posed by you is that the Bible tends to use the two terms – soul and spirit – somewhat interchangably. Thus a person that favors interpreting these words directly from the Bible has had to be pretty selective or he finds his definition conflicting with other parts of the Bible. This has also led to some strange interpretations as well.

Secondly, metaphysical concepts such as these have gone through a development within the Bible itself, from the OT to the NT, with our understanding becoming clearer. This is especially true when, within the NT itself, especially within John and Paul’s writings, Greek philosophical concepts are employed to help make these ideas clearer.

 

[puzzleannie]

returning to topic of OP, the soul and spirit, I just recently had occassion to do some research on this very question, and found these links

these are the only hits I god for “ensoulment”

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1991/9108qq.asp
when babies get their souls
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0203bt.asp
natural energies ok
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2004/0410ltrs.asp
definition of human life
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0107fea3.asp
abortion who teaches the truth
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1996/9609fea2.asp

from cuf.org, Catholics United for the Faith on Ensoulment, 2 hits
re abortion arguments
http://cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=1

from EWTN
creation and the nature and fall of man
http://ewtn.com/faith/teachings/goda42.htm
http://ewtn.com/faith/teachings/goda42a.htm

Cult of Fun
http://www.catholicexchange.com/clibrary//document.asp?category_id=189&document_id=234

Links to soul articles

Image and likeness of God
http://catholicexchange.com/church_today/message.asp?sec_id=1&message_id=5824

God sized hole in our heart is really a vacuum waiting to be filled
http://catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=6&art_id=9688

where are you going when you die?
http://catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=6&art_id=10924

union of body and soul
http://catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=6&art_id=20338

become what you behold
Transfiguration and Image of God
http://catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=6&art_id=20338

so that we might become God
http://cuf.org/Faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=257

Christian Stewardship, what is expected of us
http://cuf.org/Faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=155

what is heaven? Dwelling place of God, our destiny with Him
http://cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=68

 

[puzzleannie]

More soul links these are from Catholic Answers catholic.com

Is the soul inherited or created?
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1993/9306fea3.asp

When babies get their souls
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0203bt.asp

resurrection of the body
http://www.catholic.com/search.asp?query=soul
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0211clas.asp

are man’s soul and spirit distinct?
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1994/9409qq.asp

forms of the lay apostolate
not soul but good for stewardship
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1996/9606lait.asp

what spirits are and what they are not by Frank sheed
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0210clas.asp

human happiness- just a good article in general for the point you are trying to make about what makes us truly happy
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1999/9907clas.asp

 

[thistle]

Wow, did this thread get derailed fast. Hopefully, the Mods or someone else will direct the interlopers to start another thread, or move it.

Anyway, back the the ORIGINAL topic of this thread…

One of the things that has always made it hard to answer the question as posed by you is that the Bible tends to use the two terms – soul and spirit – somewhat interchangably. Thus a person that favors interpreting these words directly from the Bible has had to be pretty selective or he finds his definition conflicting with other parts of the Bible. This has also led to some strange interpretations as well.

Secondly, metaphysical concepts such as these have gone through a development within the Bible itself, from the OT to the NT, with our understanding becoming clearer. This is especially true when, within the NT itself, especially within John and Paul’s writings, Greek philosophical concepts are employed to help make these ideas clearer.

I’m curious. Who are the interlopers? Before your post are only the OP and myself and I simply directed the OP to a very good book on the topic.

 

[Fidelis]

Whoa! That is so weird!! When I opened up this thread earlier, there was a post (Post #2) from a guy who was complaining about statues and pictures. The next post after that, someone replied to him. Now both of them are GONE!

Either the Mods moved/removed it, I had a computer glitch, or I’m going loco! :whacky:

 

[Fidelis]

OK, I now see that it has been made it’s own thread, under “A Question About Images.”

Still, that was weird.