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breneriu
Guest
What is the difference between a spirit and a soul? Are they the same or different?
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MariaG
Guest
This teaching came from a Protestant Bible study years ago. I do not know what the “official” answer is.
Yes there is a difference between the soul and the spirit. Our soul is the eternal part of us that will either be, in the end with, God or forever separated from God.
Our spirit is that which separates us from animals. We have the spirit of choice. We can choose our actions. We can choose to follow Christ, or choose to walk away. Our spirit, given to us by God, is what gives us that choice.
Yes there is a difference between the soul and the spirit. Our soul is the eternal part of us that will either be, in the end with, God or forever separated from God.
Our spirit is that which separates us from animals. We have the spirit of choice. We can choose our actions. We can choose to follow Christ, or choose to walk away. Our spirit, given to us by God, is what gives us that choice.
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marciadietrich
Guest
This is tricky. So someone correct me if I’m off here. Men have spiritual souls. The body and the spiritual soul are one nature, not a duality… the soul being spiritual is not a duality… our body, soul and spirit are really one nature. Angels and God are pure spirit, non-corporeal.
Angels:
[328](javascript
penWindow(‘cr/328.htm’)
The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.
330 As purely *spiritual *creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.190
Men:
[362](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/362.htm’) The human person, created in the image of God, is a being at once corporeal and spiritual. The biblical account expresses this reality in symbolic language when it affirms that "then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."229 Man, whole and entire, is therefore *willed *by God.
365 The unity of soul and body is so profound that one has to consider the soul to be the “form” of the body:234 i.e., it is because of its spiritual soul that the body made of matter becomes a living, human body; spirit and matter, in man, are not two natures united, but rather their union forms a single nature.
CCC [367](javascriptpenWindow(‘cr/367.htm’) Sometimes the soul is distinguished from the spirit: St. Paul for instance prays that God may sanctify his people “wholly”, with “spirit and soul and body” kept sound and blameless at the Lord’s coming.236 The Church teaches that this distinction does not introduce a duality into the soul.237 “Spirit” signifies that from creation man is ordered to a supernatural end and that his soul can gratuitously be raised beyond all it deserves to communion with God.238
I guess our spiritual soul is sort of a bridge that unites the material of the body with the spiritual in one nature and makes us destined for eternal life, not just a material soul like an animal destined to have both body and soul die and not eternal and not spiritual beings.
Marcia
Angels:
[328](javascript
penWindow(‘cr/328.htm’) The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition.330 As purely *spiritual *creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendor of their glory bears witness.190
Men:
[362](javascript
penWindow(‘cr/362.htm’) The human person, created in the image of God, is a being at once corporeal and spiritual. The biblical account expresses this reality in symbolic language when it affirms that "then the LORD God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being."229 Man, whole and entire, is therefore *willed *by God.365 The unity of soul and body is so profound that one has to consider the soul to be the “form” of the body:234 i.e., it is because of its spiritual soul that the body made of matter becomes a living, human body; spirit and matter, in man, are not two natures united, but rather their union forms a single nature.
CCC [367](javascript
penWindow(‘cr/367.htm’) Sometimes the soul is distinguished from the spirit: St. Paul for instance prays that God may sanctify his people “wholly”, with “spirit and soul and body” kept sound and blameless at the Lord’s coming.236 The Church teaches that this distinction does not introduce a duality into the soul.237 “Spirit” signifies that from creation man is ordered to a supernatural end and that his soul can gratuitously be raised beyond all it deserves to communion with God.238I guess our spiritual soul is sort of a bridge that unites the material of the body with the spiritual in one nature and makes us destined for eternal life, not just a material soul like an animal destined to have both body and soul die and not eternal and not spiritual beings.
Marcia
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Chesster
Guest
According to St. Aquinas, in his commentary on Thessalonians 5:23, “it should be realized that these two elements [which are really one] do not differ essentially, but only by reason of the powers present in them”.
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1962Missal
Guest
Theology for Beginners
Buy or borrow a copy and read it.
I am not posting this to be curt, but because Frank Sheed (author) can answer this and many other questions far better than ANY of us here can.
Justin
Buy or borrow a copy and read it.
I am not posting this to be curt, but because Frank Sheed (author) can answer this and many other questions far better than ANY of us here can.
Justin
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JimG
Guest
In human beings, the soul is spirit (that is, not-material), so the two are essentially one. Our soul is a spiritual life principle united with our body such that we are a unity and not a duality.
The faculties of the soul are intellect (by which we know) and will (by which we love and choose.)
I completely concur with Justin’s recommendation of Frank Sheed’s “Theology for Beginners.” It provides the basic intellectual foundation for your faith and is not difficult to read.
The faculties of the soul are intellect (by which we know) and will (by which we love and choose.)
I completely concur with Justin’s recommendation of Frank Sheed’s “Theology for Beginners.” It provides the basic intellectual foundation for your faith and is not difficult to read.
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Calbreese
Guest
The Church is split into those that believe Trichotomous (three distinct soul, spirit and body), and other. Thess. has the only passage in the Bible that identifies them as separate, but that is enough for me. The Church, chosen people and many Christian based and other secret societies believe the spirit comes from God. Per se; If a soul (consciousness) leads a good and spiritual life, it is somehow attached to or aligned with the spirit and upon death of the body, they both go transfigured to Heaven, fully conscious. So be saved and be good! IHS Daryl
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the_unworthy
Guest
In your bible, does not it state that we are made in the image and likeness of the most high, Body= Jesus, Soul= God The Father and spirit = The Holy Spirit. So it is the same for us.
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