Defining humankind - what are the terms and definitions?

[agedman]

I perceive that some arguments on the forum might be generated because not all have agreement on the terms.

The purpose of this thread is to have the forum folks determine a common definition of the terms listed below. Please provide what you consider are good definitions that can be supported with Scripture to the what makes up humankind.

In my opinion, by determining the precise Scripture supported definition of the terms the forum folks will bring clarity and sharper understanding to the arguments which may build bridges of agreement.


Soul: (define)

Mind: (define)

Body: (define)

Spirit: (define)

Heart: (define)

Strength: (define)

Will: (define)



Perhaps, there is an item that was left out of the list, or some that need combined into a single item.

If you add a term, make a brief statement as to why.

If you merge two or more together, make a brief statement as to why.

 

[Greektim]

How about "one of the race of Adam."

 

[convicted1]

I perceive that some arguments on the forum might be generated because not all have agreement on the terms.

The purpose of this thread is to have the forum folks determine a common definition of the terms listed below. Please provide what you consider are good definitions that can be supported with Scripture to the what makes up humankind.

In my opinion, by determining the precise Scripture supported definition of the terms the forum folks will bring clarity and sharper understanding to the arguments which may build bridges of agreement.


Soul: (define)

Mind: (define)

Body: (define)

Spirit: (define)

Heart: (define)

Strength: (define)

Will: (define)



Perhaps, there is an item that was left out of the list, or some that need combined into a single item.

If you add a term, make a brief statement as to why.

If you merge two or more together, make a brief statement as to why.

I'll break this down into simplier terms. Man is two parts, inner and outer man. Outer man is the flesh, and inner man the soul. Inner man is what gets saved and is made perfect via the shed blood of Jesus. Outer man is in fallen state until death. When Jesus returns to gather His people in the Cloud, the outer man is changed and given a new body, in which sin will not be a part of.

 

[agedman]

I'll break this down into simplier terms. Man is two parts, inner and outer man. Outer man is the flesh, and inner man the soul. Inner man is what gets saved and is made perfect via the shed blood of Jesus. Outer man is in fallen state until death. When Jesus returns to gather His people in the Cloud, the outer man is changed and given a new body, in which sin will not be a part of.

So which part does the mind and will dwell?

If they are the "outer" man, can they be washed off in the shower?

More to the point, what "pieces" fit into which part?

What if a man is "double minded" (psychotic)?

 

[FR7 Baptist]

Soul: the immaterial aspect of one's being.

Mind: the element or group of elements in an individual which feels, thinks, wills, perceives, and reasons.

Body: the material aspect of one's being.

Spirit: see soul.

Heart: symbolically, the innermost and most foundational aspects of one's mind, or, contingent on context, may mean soul.

Strength: in this context, mental fortitude.

Will: one's desires and motivations.

 

[agedman]

Soul: the immaterial aspect of one's being.

Mind: the element or group of elements in an individual which feels, thinks, wills, perceives, and reasons.

Body: the material aspect of one's being.

Spirit: see soul.

Heart: symbolically, the innermost and most foundational aspects of one's mind, or, contingent on context, may mean soul.

Strength: in this context, mental fortitude.

Will: one's desires and motivations.

Then I take it that you hold the Spirit of a person and their Soul as one item. Is that correct?

Doesn't the Scriptures indicate that these are two separate items?
"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."

The same problem would be in placing the items of the mind and heart as the same.
"And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself."

If the Scriptures separate them, what then would be a good Scriptural definition of the item(s).

 

[psalms109:31]

spirit is life to the soul, God has granted the soul to be a life to himself. The Holy Spirit is life with God, the new heart. A soul no longer separated from God because of sin.

 

[agedman]

spirit is life to the soul, God has granted the soul to be a life to himself. The Holy Spirit is life with God, the new heart. A soul no longer separated from God because of sin.

What then is the spirit?

And what is the soul?

Can a person have one without the other?

If not, how then do plants and animals live?

 

[psalms109:31]

1 Peter 1:9
for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Our soul is who we are the spirit is life to it.

God doesn't need to save His spirit his life. He is after to save our soul.

My concern is not plants and animals, but people.

 

[agedman]

1 Peter 1:9
for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Our soul is who we are the spirit is life to it.

God doesn't need to save His spirit his life. He is after to save our soul.

My concern is not plants and animals, but people.

What then is the distinguishing factor (definition) that would separate the "living soul" from plant life or animal life.

Exactly what is the "soul?"

Is it the "I" the ID as Freud considered it?

Is there a definition and Scriptures that explain "soul?"

 

[psalms109:31]

The soul starts off with an empty vessel I believe being filled by life experience. Some say this is where the conscience is. Without a soul we wouldn't be who we are. It makes us who we are different from one another. The spirit is life to our soul. I don't know about animals and plant life, if they are alive it is because of God.

If a spirit is saved, life and returns to God and the soul isn't, the soul is still suffering in hell.

 

[agedman]

The soul starts off with an empty vessel I believe being filled by life experience. Some say this is where the conscience is. Without a soul we wouldn't be who we are. It makes us who we are different from one another. The spirit is life to our soul. I don't know about animals and plant life, if they are alive it is because of God.

If a spirit is saved, life and returns to God and the soul isn't, the soul is still suffering in hell.

In other words, you are saying that a person is born "tabula rasa" and imprinted by life experiences?

If this is true, then why do the Scriptures teach that every human has the imprinting of the 10 commandments in them?

 

[psalms109:31]

Romans 2:
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

God when we receive the Holy Spirit after we believe, but what we do with commandments is through love.

Zephaniah 3:2
She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD, she does not draw near to her God.

Hebrews 7:
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

 

[agedman]

Romans 2:
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

God when we receive the Holy Spirit after we believe, but what we do with commandments is through love.

Zephaniah 3:2
She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD, she does not draw near to her God.

Hebrews 7:
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

Isn't this straying from the question?

In the OP, it is asked for specific definitions and Scripture support of the definition for some may consider the essential elements of humankind.

I don't see these verses (although extremely important in a discussion of law and grace) adding to the support or lack of support to agreement of any definition offered.

 

[psalms109:31]

You ask

If this is true, then why do the Scriptures teach that every human has the imprinting of the 10 commandments in them?

What is important is we draw near to God after the message of our salvation trust in Jesus over our own understanding, and Jesus will direct our path. He will change our lives.

 

[agedman]

You ask



What is important is we draw near to God after the message of our salvation trust in Jesus over our own understanding, and Jesus will direct our path. He will change our lives.

But the question in the OP was about specific essentials.

What you raised would seem to move the topic to another line of reasoning.

Did you not post that a person was born with no imprinting, and I responded asking about "tabula rasa?"

When Adam was created and Eve formed, where they given the items on the list given in the OP. If so, what are good definitions and Scriptural proof of the definitions assigned to each item?

Are these items still found in the natural man, the believer, or neither or both?

 

[Greektim]

This thread is full of a lot of hooey. Mere speculation and reading more into Scripture than was intended to define. Anything outside of "one of the race of Adam" is probably reaching farther than Scriptures intended to define.

 

[psalms109:31]

But the question in the OP was about specific essentials.

What you raised would seem to move the topic to another line of reasoning.

Did you not post that a person was born with no imprinting, and I responded asking about "tabula rasa?"

When Adam was created and Eve formed, where they given the items on the list given in the OP. If so, what are good definitions and Scriptural proof of the definitions assigned to each item?

Are these items still found in the natural man, the believer, or neither or both?

I believe men have a soul a body and a spirit a life to himself separated from God the Holy Spirit. The spirit gives life to all living things. Man spirit I am curious about? What I do know is God is Spirit and God is life. An evil spirit would be like anti-God, anti-life.

Romans 2:
14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.

Has it been reavealed and imprinted by nature God revealing Himself by what He has made or is it the consciece ever man has been given by God? Where does this conscience reside is it in the life God gives the soul? Is law imprinted in the soul or written on it or neither?

 

[agedman]

This thread is full of a lot of hooey. Mere speculation and reading more into Scripture than was intended to define. Anything outside of "one of the race of Adam" is probably reaching farther than Scriptures intended to define.

I disagree (of course).

This lack of definition over commonly thrown about terms is one of the difficulties on the board.

For instance. The Scriptures state that the word of God is able to divide between soul and spirit.

What exactly is the soul?

What exactly is the spirit?

(those are rhetorical questions for the purpose of this post)

Until we all come to some agreement on the terms, how can one understand what is meant.

When the Scriptures say, "renewing the mind," is it the mind of the natural man or the mind that was "in Christ?" (again a rhetorical question for the purpose of this post)

Definitions - folks it really is important to know the term meanings.

 

[agedman]

I believe men have a soul a body and a spirit a life to himself separated from God the Holy Spirit. The spirit gives life to all living things. Man spirit I am curious about? What I do know is God is Spirit and God is life. An evil spirit would be like anti-God, anti-life.

Romans 2:
14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law.

Has it been reavealed and imprinted by nature God revealing Himself by what He has made or is it the consciece ever man has been given by God? Where does this conscience reside is it in the life God gives the soul? Is law imprinted in the soul or written on it or neither?

Great questions!!!

However, the forum folk have yet to give concise direct definitions (unless I missed the post) with specific Scripture as it relates to that item.

So exactly does the term "soul" mean?

Is it different than the term "body" in the Scriptures? If so what then is the definition of body?

The spirit means??????

Assuming that the item would be different in meaning than the body or soul, what is this called spirit - what does it mean?