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QUESTION: Define Dichotomy and Trichotomy and tell to what it refers.
ANSWER: Benjamin,
This is an interesting question.
There are a couple of subjects that reference the Dichotomy in the Bible. However, the most prevalent use is in reference man being made up of two parts - flesh/material and spirit/soul.
Trichotomy takes it one step further and separates the spirit from the soul. Here the idea is that the spirit is that part which relates to God and the soul is the everlasting part of many. For example, the Bible says we can be spiritually dead.
Dichotomy is the primary belief, arguing that the Scripture often uses multiple terms about the human constitution. Mark 12:30 has "heart, soul, mind, strength". Is that four parts of man or different terms that refer to different aspects of humans?
Another example is how we refer to mind and heart. We don't mean that these are separate constitutions of man, but that they are different aspects. We refer to "mind" as the thinking part of our constitution and "heart" as the emotional part of our constitution.
The trichotomy understands "death" as "the end" of something, while dichotomy understands "death" as "being separated" from something.
Hope this helps.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Discuss the concept of the "Soul"
Benjamin,
The concept of the "soul" depends on your view of the constitution of man. If it is dichotomy, then the soul is no different than the spirit. It is everlasting and will end up in either hell or heaven. If it is trichotomy, then the soul is different than the spirit. The soul will die, but the spirit is everlasting.
Hope this helps.
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LEBoyd
Expertise
I am available to answer questions on most subjects dealing with the Old and New Testaments. I have more than 30 years of detailed study in both Testaments. Additionally, I have studied the many facets of evolution, including a detailed study of Darwin's Origin of the Species. I am a fundamentalist, in that I believe that all Scripture is inspired, or God-breathed, (II Tim. 3:16). I believe that there are no contradictions in the Bible, and that the Bible is complete in telling us our purpose on earth, how to gain salvation and how we should live to obtain salvation. I believe in sin, Satan, heaven, hell, choice-immersion, grace as the free-gift of God and that one can fall from grace. I am a 'layman' in that I taught myself Hebrew (in the English alphabet) and Greek (in the Greek alphabet).
Experience
I have taught many adult classes on the Scriptures on many different subjects over the last 25 years. I have also debated many people (several at once) over subjects such as evolution, original sin, the Diety of Jesus, whether Jesus was perfect by choice, and so-called Biblical contradictions.
Education/Credentials
I am a layman, so I come as a self-trained "expert". I can provide copies of sermanets, classes and emails where I have debated Scripture with others.
I do have a BBA and an MBA from a Top-10 MBA School. I also have several NASD/SEC licenses.
Awards and Honors
In Bibilical areas, I have scored the highest score, or in the top 10, with other adults in an all day annual test on specific Bible books. Some of these books were Luke, Revelation, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronmy, Joshua, Judges, II Kings, and others. Currently, I am teaching an indepth study on the book of Judges.
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