Do Catholics

[ImagoDei]

Do Catholics hold to a trichotomist or dichotomist view concerning the Body, Soul, and Spirit?

Both groups believe there is a material body but distinct from that body are a soul and a spirit. Dichtomists believe the words "soul" and "spirit" are used synonymously in scripture, while a trichotomist would argue that "soul" and "spirit" are different aspects of the person.

Thanks,
ImagoDei

 

[Raphael777]

From the Catechism (article 367):

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. (1 th 5:23) The Church teaches that this distinction does not introduce a duality into the soul.(Council of Constantinople IV) "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.(Vatican Council 1)

 

[Globalnomad]

Let's just add that this distinction is not on our list of important theological concepts. Generally, we think of spirit and soul as synonymous. I never learnt anything else, has anyone else?

 

[Robbie_James_Francis]

When we speak of the whole Person of Christ we refer to His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. So from that it would seem that no distinction is made between the soul and the spirit.

If I'm not mistaken, soul is anima in Latin and spirit is spiritu.

 

[Wolseley]

Usually "soul" and "spirit" are used interchangeably, although there are times when a distinction is made. The distinction is usually that the "spirit" is your immortal essence, while the "soul" is the intellect, the thinking area of your personality.

 

[Carrye]

Where's Michelina? She can explain this better than I can.