Anthropology The Nature of Man

Body Man has a physical form and function and is a non-seen person that makes him intrinsically different from the animal world. Physical death is described as the separation of body and spirit (James 2:26). This does not mean the end of even the physical existence. Every person will eternally exist in some sort of a physical body. John 5:25-29)

A Physical Resurrection The patriarchs believed in the resurrection of the dead (Gen. 22:5; Heb. 11:19; Job 19:25-27) This resurrection was reveal to the Old Testament prophets (Isa. 26;19; Dan. 12:2,13; Hos. 13:14) Jesus restored life to the dead (Matt. 9:25; Luke 7:12-15; John 11:43,44) Jesus predicted His own resurrection (John 10:18; Luke 24:1-8). People were resurrected following the resurrection of Christ (Matt. 27:52,53) The Apostles raised the dead (Acts 9:36-41, 20:9,10) There are two resurrections yet future which includes “all that are in the graves” (John 5:28)

There is a resurrection “of life” (1 Cor. 15:22,23; 1 Th. 4:14-17; Rev There is a resurrection “of judgment” (John 5:28,29; Rev. 20:11-13) The bodies of believers will be incorruptible, glorious, powerful and spiritual (1 Cor. 15:42-44, 49) Living believers will be changed to glorified bodies (1 Cor. 15:50-53; Phil. 3:20,21; Rom. 8:23; Eph. 1:13,14) The bodies of the wicked will also be resurrected (John 5:29) and will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:7-15)

The physical body is the house in which the real man lives. (2 Cor The physical body is the house in which the real man lives. (2 Cor. 5:1 ) For the believer the body is the habitation of the Holy Spirit and is also the vehicle with which we serve God. (1 Cor. 6:19,20) Because the physical body is important to God, we must not neglect its care or abuse it. The consequence of either will God’s direct chastening. (1 Cor. 3:16,17) At the same time it is inappropriate to spend inordinate amounts of time and money in the outward appearance. (1 Sam. 16:7; 1 Pet. 3:3,4)

Is man a dichotomy or a trichotomy?

Part of the difficulty is making this distinction lies in the fact that the Bible frequently uses the terms “soul” and “spirit’ interchangeably. Ultimately it does not matter in that every person is a whole person and will be eternally. As difficult as it is for us to understand the difference between soul and spirit, God has no difficulty at all. (Heb. 4:12; 1 Th. 5;23) The fact that the powerful Word of God can make the distinction indicates that there is a distinction. The reason for grasping the difference between soul and spirit is for the purpose of understanding their interaction.

Soul Mind Heart Conscience Will

Mind Man is intellectual; he possesses a mind capable of amazing activity. The ability to receive information, process it, and arrive at studied conclusions resulting in deliberate actions is part of what makes man unique in comparison to animals. The ability to reason does not guarantee the outcome. The mind of man has been corrupted by sin and often demonstrates its propensity to reason incorrectly primarily because God is left out of the equation.

The Mind Reprobate – Rom. 1:28 Vain – Eph. 4:17 Defiled – Titus 1:15 Blinded – 2 Cor. 4:4 Darkened – Eph. 4:18

In many ways, the mind is the gateway to the soul In many ways, the mind is the gateway to the soul. It is for this reason that Satan works so hard to prejudice the mind against the truth of the Word of God. If he can do so in terms that appeal to the intellect, all the better for his purpose. The natural propensity of fallen man to believe a satanic lie enables the devil to keep the majority of the human race in darkness.

Heart Heart is sometimes used interchangeably with the soul and includes the conscience, the emotions, and the will. Insensitive to truth – Isa. 6:10 Cannot fully compass the good things of God – 1 Cor. 2:9 Capable of entertaining “evil continually.” – Gen. 6:5

Deceitful – Jer. 17:9 Has thoughts and intentions – Heb. Seat of emotions such as love (Deu. 6:5), self-reproach (Job 27:6), joy (Psa. 104:15), sorrow (Neh. 2:2), and deep desires (Psa. 37:4). God’s truth can be written in the heart – Rom. 2:5 True motivator of action (“hidden man of the heart” – 1 Pet. 3:4).

Conscience “Conscience, the moral judiciary of the soul” provides the parameters for behavior. Every human being has a conscience; it is standard equipment from creation. (Rom. 2:14,15) This does not mean that the conscience is necessarily reliable. It is dependent upon the moral standard that has been communicated through the mind.

Conscience A good conscience – Acts 23:1; 1 Tim. 1:5,19; Heb. 13:18, 1 Pet. 3:16,21 An evil conscience – Heb. 10:22 A conscience void of offense – Acts 24;16, 1 Pet. 2:19 A conscience that gives testimony – Rom. 9:1, 2 Cor. 1:12, 4:2 A conscience that conforms behavior – Rom. 13:5 A conscience may be weak – 1 Cor. 8,10

A conscience may be pure – 1 Tim. 3:9, 2 Tim. 1:3 A conscience may be seared – 1 Tim. 4:2 A conscience may be defiled – Tit. 1:15 A conscience can be unsatisfied – Heb. 9:9 A conscience can be purged – Heb. 9:14; 10:2,22 The often repeated maxim to “always let your conscience be your guide,” is not true unless your conscience is consistently informed by the Word of God.

Will Every person has a will. The existence of a will in human beings is yet another example of creation in the likeness of God. God has a will and sovereignly exercises it. The power to choose has huge implications. While God acts upon the human will in conviction the ultimate decision lies with the individual. Even in the believer there must be cooperation with the Holy Spirit in order to understand and surrender to the authority of God. (Phi. 2:12,13)

Spirit It is in man’s spirit that he interacts with God. It is because of the Fall that man lost the original unfettered contact with God. As a fallen creature the spirit is dead to God. (Eph. 2:1-6) In the new birth we are “quickened” or made alive to God. Our degenerate spirit is regenerated and spiritually functional. In that process we receive a new nature. (Eph. 4:17-24)

Unfortunately saved people do not lose their old nature (often called the flesh) which is as corrupt as it ever was. This creates the terrible conflict that Paul described. (Rom. 7:14-25; 1 Cor. 2:6-16) The natural man is man in his natural state, lost and disconnected from God. The spiritual man is the saved individual who knows God by means of a regenerated spirit. The carnal man is the individual who is operating under the sway of the fallen nature. This might be an unsaved person who is always carnal or a believer who living in the flesh.

The unsaved man has a spirit that is dead to truly spiritual things The unsaved man has a spirit that is dead to truly spiritual things. His soul is controlled by the fallen a nature and his body is used primarily for self. The saved man has the new nature operating in his spirit. His soul is the battleground between the two natures and his body is used according which nature is prevailing. This is further illustrated in Paul’s rendition of the conflict between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:16-25)

A. T. Pierson, The Bible and Spiritual Life, 117.

Winning the war in the soulish part of the believer’s being is critical to spiritual success. True and honest surrender to God, His Word, and the work of the Holy Spirit enables the regenerated spirit to dominate the believer’s life. (Rom. 12:1,2)