LOL!! I love you! :) Well... I think that on this topic you have honestly captured my attention. (am I nerd too?) ;)

I guess I am still Trichotomist. Why? Because I see the sould as the emotions and the core of a person. Animals also have that, and since we are not equal to animals, that cannot be all that we have. There must be something more. I think that the soul and spirit are strongly connected, but the Spirit is the part of us that makes us long for something deeper than the animals long for. It is the part of us that longs to commune with God. The soul and spirit could be one part and yet two. It really does not matter to me as long as we agree that the spirit portion of the soul is what communicates with God and a part of what makes us different than an animal. :)

Hee, hee. You're so funny! (Reffering to your last paragraph). I read the whole thing, and it wasn't boring. =) I'm glad you added the second to last paragraph. I think one of the main reasons people debate this is because we like to put labels on things... Even the parts of our very selves. I guess some of it could also be that we are trying to understand His word better - perhaps trying to discern the things which are spiritually discerned with our comparatively limited brains. =) Thanks for sharing.

Like the new layout! Glad you are soaking up all you can up at WOL. NY state has been making the news all the way down here, for the amount of snow you have!! It makes me homesick seeing it on the news....Thanks for the comment. =)

Yes, but the verse in Genesis 2:7 God breathes (spirit) into Adam and he becomes a life (soul).
I have done extensive research on the matter.
I don't really know where I lie on the whole subject, but I am writing a paper on the matter.
I recommend you read David Crowder's book "Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven, but Nobody Wants to Die".

Shalom.
bondslave.

http://www.everybodywantstogotoheaven.com

Ahhh...but I DID read the whole thing. And I'd almost agree with you, but in the Bible the Lord chose to use two different words when speaking of the spirit and the soul. And if they were the same, He certainly would have used the same word. I'd agree with Jordan. There's the body of course, then the soul - the mind, will, and emotions, and the spirit - the part of us that distinguishes us from animals in that we are "like God" and can commune with Him. But this can only be "spiritually discerned" not soully (with the mind, will, or emotions) discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are SPIRITUALLY discerned. (4153. pneumatikwv pneumatikos pnyoo-mat-ik-oce' ; adverb from 4152; non-physically, i.e. divinely, figuratively)- as you'll see below - not from the root of "soul", but of the "spirit".

Spirit (Hebrew). :07307xwr ruwach roo'-akh ; from 07306; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)

Soul (Hebrew). :05315vpn nephesh neh'-fesh ; from 05314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)

Spirit (Greek):4151 pneuma pneuma pnyoo'-mah ; from 4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare 5590.

Soul (Greek). : 5590 quch psuche psoo-khay' ; from 5594; breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (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 Hebrew 05315, 07307 and 02416)

body (Hebrew)01320. rsb basar baw-sawr' ; from 01319; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphem.) the pudenda of a man:--body, [fat, lean] flesh[-ed], kin, [man-]kind, + nakedness, self, skin.

body (Greek)4983. swma soma so'-mah ; from 4982; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively:--bodily, body, slave.

It is an interesting subject, and, as you say, nothing that will keep us from getting saved, but might help us understand ourselves, our world, His Word, and the Lord better.

Keep writing.

  Holy Spirit, we would hear Your inner promptings, soft and clear And help us know Your still, small voice So we may make Gods will our choice D. DeHaan   Here is an attempt to ask born-again Bible believers to discuss a human’s body, soul and spirit.  Please reply to Wm. S. Hurst - shifterandb@juno.com or phone (804) 276-5068 (When you read this, please read the scriptures in your bible)   Jesus emphatically told Nicodemus (John 3:3) “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  Born again?, Nicodemus had trouble with what that meant and I believe most Christians do also.  It seems many pastors have a problem explaining it.  I have heard different attempts at an explanation but none have applied the biblical truth that “something” every human once had “died” and needs to be reborn, or “born again”.  The following is quoted from  Dr. Terry Mortenson’s article dated May 2, 2007 which is posted in www.answersingenesis.org, “The Hebrew wording of Genesis 2:17 allows for a time lapse between the instantaneous spiritual death on that sad day of disobedience and the later physical death (which certainly did happen, just as God said, but for Adam it was 930 years later).  As Scripture consistently teaches, both kinds of death (spiritual and physical) are the consequence of Adam’s rebellion.”  Also I quote from Rich Deem, on his web site www.godandscience.org,  “The Bible is very clear that death is not restricted to merely the physical death of the body, but the death of the spirit.  When Adam and Eve sinned against God, they died that very day spiritually and lost their personal relationship with God.”             Dr. M. R. DeHaan wrote in his book “The Chemistry of the Blood” page 142- “As we all know, the Godhead consists in Three Persons:  the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  These Three are but one God, yet eternally exist in Three Persons --- Father, Son, and Holy Ghost --- who are equal in all Their attributes of holiness, justice, eternity, infinity, truth and love.  We read in Genesis 1:26,27 that God created man in His own image, that is, He created man also a trinity in unity consisting of a body, soul and a spirit.  Yet man was but one person and consisted of these three distinct parts.”  I think it’s important here to clarify that the human body is not the image of God.  Philippians 2:5-8,  Christ Jesus “took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men;” see also Hebrews 2:16,17.  “For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels,  but He took on Him the seed of Abraham.  Wherefore, in all things it behooved Him to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Again look carefully at Genesis 1:26,27; & 2:7.  “Let us make man--- God created man---&(2:7) God formed man”, all three verbs were used.  Also look at Isaiah 43:7 “Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”     Creation There are three main Hebrew verbs used to describe God’s work in Genesis.  These are (bara) “create”, (asah) “make”, and (yatsar) “form”.   The Genesis chapter 1 use of “bara” - “ created”. It is used only concerning 3 separate actions in all of chapter 1.   The first use of “bara” is in Genesis 1:1 “God created (bara) the heaven and the earth,” which is, all of space and all the matter that fills space.  The things that we touch.  I quote from Rich Deem, on his web site www.godandsceince.org  - “The Hebrew term ‘the heavens and the earth’ in Genesis 1:1 refers to the entire created universe.  So, the Sun, stars, and earth were all created at the beginning of day 1---It is also important to remember that the Hebrew phrase ‘the heavens and the earth’ (hashamayim we ha ‘erets) in Genesis 1:1 encompasses everything in the physical universe.  As previously discussed, this interpretation is supported by the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Vine and Grudem.  Bruce Waltke also confirms that hashamayim we ha ‘erets refers to the totality of the physical universe, all matter and energy and whatever else it contains.  Thus, the Hebrew text clearly states the Sun, Moon and stars were created ‘in the beginning’ and not on the fourth day”.  I’ve wondered what the phrase “let there be”, could really stand for?  It is used so many times in Genesis 1.  I have not yet found the Hebrew meaning for that phrase but I did find this by Rich Deem “However, the Hebrew verb for ‘be’ (hayah) means ‘to be’ or ‘to exist.’  As Collins notes, the verbs in Genesis 1:3 (Let there be... and there was) do not imply the creation of light, or a sense of coming into existence.  This supports the view that the illumination came from pre-existing light–the sun.”  ---  And I also found that Dr. C.I. Scofield’s notes connected with that phrase, states, “The sense is ‘made to appear’, ‘made visible’”.  Could it be another form of asah?  --- But, let’s continue to concentrate on “bara”. The second use of the word “bara” was in Genesis 1:21 “And God created (bara) great whales, and every living creature that moveth,”.  Another godandscience quote “The first task of biblical exegesis is to discover the original, intended meaning of the words of the Bible.  The Hebrew term ‘living creature’ (nephesh khayyâ) means ‘living animated being’ or ‘air-breathing creature.’  According to MacArthur, nephesh literally means that which breathes, and speaks of soulish life (i.e., mind, will and emotion) as opposed to merely organic life.  These sea creatures and nephesh khayyâ may be air-breathing mammals such as dolphins, porpoises, and the like.  ‘Great sea creatures’ (tannîn) is translated ‘great whales’ in some English Bibles but has a broader meaning, referring to enormous creatures.  These are most likely creatures the Israelites were familiar with–possibly whales or sharks or large crocodiles, which were common in Moses’ day.  The text does not indicate when fish (dagâ) were created, nor does it discuss other types of marine organisms.” ---- In Genesis 1:20 we read “let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life.”  My bible references that “life” to mean “soul”.  Souls are a “something” but they are not a material part of the first creative act (bara).  “Souls” are/were the second creative act of God.  Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance lists the same Hebrew word was translated living creature in Genesis 1:21 about animals ‘that moveth” and again was translated soul in Genesis 2:7 about MAN.  Thirdly “bara” is used in Genesis 1:27 “So God created (bara) man in His own image, in the image of God created He him”.  Most people see only the material form of man but the material form was part of the first creative act.  Gen 3:19 “dust thou art”.  As shown above, man was also given “Life”, a soul, a personality, an individuality, as part of the second creative act.  But Dr. M. R. DeHaan pointed out that man was thirdly given a “SPIRIT”, (the third creative act of God) which “made man in God’s image,”  “a trinity in unity.”  Zechariah 12:1 “the Lord, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.”  A spirit is another “something” but it is not part of the first or the second creative act’s (bara) of God.  I will again quote  “G&S” “according to the Bible, only certain higher animals (nephesh), posses souls, and other than God Himself and angels, only human beings posses a spirit.”      Genesis 3 pointed out that the disobedient act of Adam and Eve “immediately” severed their relationship, their tri-unity to God.  Most sermons that I have heard point out that our sins condemn us to hell but do not point out that our “Adamic” sin (the getting of the knowledge of good and evil) is what kills our SPIRIT, and “that” is what severs our relationship with God.  (man is no longer in His image.)  Remember, Adam & Eve had to be sent out of the garden of Eden so that they could not eat of the Tree of Life and live forever.  (Gen. 3:22, 23, 24)  Their “Spiritual death” was immediate but their “physical death” was not.  Their physical death came about as a part of their banishment from their elevated position in the Garden of Eden.  (See Dr. Terry Mortenson’s  article back on page one.)   The condition of “Little Children” Look in Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, and Luke 18:15-17, notice in all three cases Jesus used the phrase little children.  He then told His disciples that “they”, the disciples, MUST receive the kingdom of God “as one of these little ones” or they could not enter into the kingdom.  Also please look at Deuteronomy 1:39, you will see “little ones-who in that day had no knowledge between good and evil”.  Clearly a time before the age of accountability, or should we call it the time of the “Adamic” SIN.  Could Christ have meant that they, all the very little children were still in the “image of God” and were ready to go to Heaven should they die before getting the knowledge between good and evil?  He said the disciples, had to again become just like a little Human Child is before they obtain the knowledge of good and evil.  When a human obtains the knowledge of Good and Evil, just like Adam & Eve, that human’s spirit dies.  (Note: I believe this shows that every abortion, miscarriage, crib death, or death before the age of accountability is a child in Heaven.  “God is LOVE”)      Christians and the Holy Spirit The sending of The Holy Spirit (John 14:25,26. 15:26. 16:7-15, John 3:5, 6.) to rebirth those whose names are written in the “Book of Life” (Rev. 20:15) did not happen until after Christ gave up His Spirit, yes, The Spirit of God, on the cross.  (Matt 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30).  Acts chapter 2 is shown as the time that the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit.  In the Old Testament and up to the time of Pentecost, the Spirit would come upon a person only for a specific period of time and possibly only for a specific purpose.  Since Pentecost the Holy Spirit comes into every person who “believes” (John 3:18) and although He can be, and is often, grieved, He will never leave the believer.  Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit, that dwelleth in you.” The Word of God states that a born again Christian has spirit, soul and body.--  read I Thessalonians 5:23 “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.”  (Notice, this could only be said to born again Christians.)  Remember the name of Christian was not applied to believers until Antioch.  (See Acts 16:26)    “In God’s kingdom, there is a spiritual Helper who produces new life.  But His role is to bring about ‘second birth’ (John 3:5-8).  The Holy Spirit uses a variety of ways to accomplish this.  He convicts the world of sin (John 16:8), empowers the gospel (1 Thess. 1:5), regenerates us from within (Titus 3:5), and places believers into eternal union with Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-13).  Though He is invisible, His life-changing activity can be clearly seen.”            By Dennis Fisher  Copied from Aug 1st  2007 Our Daily Bread   More to come.  Pray it over and tell me what the Holy Spirit has led you to believe, PLEASE.  We all need HIS truth!!                   I know this concept still needs work, I can and will use anyone’s help.                         

I really enjoyed your post here. I have actually been doing a little research on the subject myself :) I wrote a paper on the subject actually lol