Exploring The Treasure of Your New Human Spirit has just been published in a new paperback edition. It is available from Grace Fellowship International and Amazon.com

Endorsements:

Finally, someone has addressed both doctrinally and historically the key concerns and questions surrounding the exchanged life. The book is an absolute must for any person interested in understanding the exchanged life. I plan to recommend it at conferences and use it as required reading for all our staff and trainees at The Fold.
Fred Tomaselli. D.Phil., President, The Fold Family Ministries, Lyndonville, VT

This book is an important addition to our teaching. Dr. John Best presents not only the validity of the human spirit in addition to the soul and body, but argues well for the importance of this understanding in finding the victory and peace of the Christian life. The work is scholarly, allowing students the documentation for further study, and a good read for those who simply want to
understand Best’s perspective. We have needed a careful and caring presentation of the triune nature of humanity, and I’m happy to recommend this book for the serious Bible student.
Dave Orrison, Director, Grace for the Heart, http://www.gracefortheheart.org

Thank you, Dr. Best, for “committing what you’ve heard from God’s Word and heart to faithful men and women who will be able to teach on also” for years to come (2 Timothy 2:2)! I believe your book, Exploring the Treasure of Your New Human Spirit, is a gift to you, now to others… a most foundational book.
Gregg Gibbons, Director, Journey in Christ, Simpsonville. SC

I can’t overstate the importance of this volume. It is a theology book, and doctrine is important (2 Tim. 3:16). It is a book on biblical anthropology/psychology, and how people are made up is important. It is a book of practical application, and living a victorious life is important. What is more, precious little else has been written on the topic of man as spirit, soul and body in the last
century.
John Woodward, Director of Counseling, Grace Fellowship International, Pigeon Forge, TN

Dr. Charles Kraft is a leader in equipping believers for overt spiritual warfare. His publisher gives this biographical summary:

“Charles H. (Chuck) Kraft (www.heartssetfree.org) is retired from the faculty of the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Seminary (formerly the School of World Mission) after 40 years as professor of anthropology and intercultural communication. He taught anthropology, communication, contextualization, and spiritual dynamics (inner healing, deliverance, and spiritual warfare) to missionaries and prospective missionaries.

“He holds degrees from Wheaton College (BA anthropology), Ashland Theological Seminary (BD theology), and Hartford Seminary Foundation (PhD anthropological linguistics). He served as a pioneer missionary among a tribal group (Kamwe/Higi) in northeastern Nigeria for three years followed by five years each on the faculties of Michigan State University and UCLA, teaching linguistics and African languages.

“Kraft is the author of more than 30 books and numerous articles in the fields of his expertise. He is also an internationally renowned speaker and president of Deep Healing Ministries, which focuses on deep-level healing, deliverance and spiritual warfare. He has been used by God to lead thousands to spiritual and emotional freedom in Jesus Christ.”[1]

One of the controversial issues in dealing with spiritual warfare is question, Can a born again believer be demon possessed? The answer begins with clarifying the the New Testament does not use that term, rather the Greek word is daimonizomai —”demonized.”

In The Evangelical’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare Dr. Kraft gives a convincing case from Scripture and years of front-line ministry experience that in some cases born again believers are “demonized.”

“It [biblical revelation] means God has thrown light upon subjects which most of us started with the assumption that Christians cannot be demonized. But we soon discovered that we, like Jesus, have to evict demons even from people of faith. Though the demons in a Christian may be weaker than those in a non-Christian due to the spiritual growth of the Christian, they usually remain there until cast out.”[2]

Dr. Kraft gives further clarification on this controversial topic by appealing to the soul/spirit distinction in the believer.

“However, those who assume that Christians cannot be demonized are partly right. A demon cannot live in the Christian’s spirit. This is the person’s central core, the part that died when Adam sinned and the part that became the new nature when they came to Christ. The Holy Spirit now lives there, and demons have to leave. Demons can, however, still live in the body, mind, emotions and will of a Christian, the parts where sin also can still dwell. For some, the process of battling the enemy as they grow in Christ involves battling indwelling demons as well as overcoming sinfulness within.”[3]

In biblical psychology we consider “mind, emotions and will ” to be faculties of the human soul. Dr. Kraft elaborates further on this important distinction.

“As Christians, our spirit, the central part of us, has become sinless. We call this change in our spirit our new nature (see 1 John 3:9). If, then, a person is carrying demons when he or she comes to Christ, the demons cannot any longer inhabit his or her spirit or new nature.”[4]

Next, Dr. Kraft gives an example of how this interpretation was confirmed in spiritual warfare experience. Then he concludes,

“…that demons cannot live in that innermost part of a Christian, the spirit, since it is filled with the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:16). That part of us becomes spiritually alive with the life of Christ and
is inviolable by the representatives of the enemy. As I have said, sin and demons can live in a Christian’s mind, emotions/body and will. We regularly have to evict them from those parts of Christians. I suspect, then, that the reason a demon can have greater control of an unbeliever is because it can invade the unbeliever’s spirit.”[5]

This book features ten endorsements, such as this one by Bill Payne, Ph.D., professor of evangelism and world missions, director of chaplaincy studies, Ashland Theological Seminary:

“Kraft offers an incredibly important resource for all who desire to engage in spiritual warfare. His training in missions, theology and cultural anthropology make him uniquely qualified to write on this topic. His practical experience gives him expert status. Once again he is on the cutting edge. I plan to use this book in my courses.”[6]

This example from Dr. Charles Kraft shows that another leading evangelical scholar is convinced that the Bible teaches the soul/spirit distinction. This is not just semantics; rather, this discernment has important value in practical ministry.

[1] http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/authors/charles-h-kraft/253

[2] Charles H. Kraft, The Evangelical’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare: Scriptural Insights and Practical Instruction on Facing the Enemy (Chosen Books / Baker, 2015), 137

[3] The Evangelical’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare, 137 emphasis added

[4] Ibid.138

[5] Ibid.138

[6] http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-evangelical-s-guide-to-spiritual-warfare/352190

I came to the same conclusion about how the soul/spirit distinction accurately answers the question, Can a born again believer be demonized? Man as Spirit, Soul, and Body: A Study of Biblical Psychology, pp.143-46.

-John Woodward

In his book, Uncommon Thoughts About Commonly Held Beliefs, Glenn Murray covers helpful grace-oriented discipleship insights in 31 chapters.[1]  His subtitle for this book is Insights from my half-century journey with Jesus. In addition to the endorsement by Os Guinness on the cover, there are ten additional written commendations of the author and this volume. John Park, Ph.D. (professor of Theology and Ethics at Azusa Pacific University) affirmed, “This book has a profound balance in Christian orthodoxy and orthopraxis. An indispensable book that all people should read!”

Chapter 7 is devoted to considering 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (NKJV). Murray has found the model of man as spirit, soul, and body to be an important perspective in accurately interpreting this profound verse. However, he acknowledges that trichotomy is not always accepted:

“Before I go on, let me acknowledge that some good theologians believe that the soul and spirit are the same thing. I respectfully disagree with their conclusion and will explain why I don’t hold that view. In the late 1960s, prayer, the study of the Scriptures, and what the early Church fathers taught, formed my view of this subject. Additionally, Ray Stedman, a Bible teacher that I trusted, confirmed my conclusions. As mentioned earlier, the soul and spirit are closely related, but the Bible makes an explicit distinction between them. In 1 Thess. 5: 23, it’s very specific. “May your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” (NLT) I acknowledge that at times, it’s difficult to discern the difference between the soul and spirit. However, Scripture does identify each and says that the Word of God will help us differentiate between them. “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit. (Heb. 4: 12 HCB)”

Murray then proceeds to logically evaluate what aspects of man have became radically new in Christ: body, mind, emotions, will…? Then he concludes,

“I now confidently believe that my spirit, which is the center of my being, is a new creation. As I remain soft and pliable, God will make my soul increasing more congruent with my spirit. By faith, I believe this, but too often I subconsciously revert to thinking that the real me is my soul and body, which has not yet been renewed. My tendency is to let my mind and emotions tell me that since my soul still has wrong motives, thoughts, and actions, I am not a new creation. The solution for this is to trust my unredeemed mind and emotions less and to believe by faith what God says about me. Therefore, it’s completely a faith issue. And that’s a good thing because the Bible tells us, “Without faith it’s impossible to please God” (Heb. 11: 6) Over time I have come to strongly believe that in my spirit I’m a new creation while my body and soul retain the human frailties that resulted from the disobedience of my “grandparents” Adam and Eve. (Eph. 1: 13-14)”

In this chapter the author accurately defines the threefold nature of man, noting how this sheds light on creation, the fall, redemption and sanctification.

__________

[1] Glenn Murray, UNCOMMON THOUGHTS ABOUT COMMONLY HELD BELIEFS: Insights from my half-century journey with Jesus (2019). Available in paperback and Kindle ebook

Rick Tague, M.D., M.P.H. & T.M. is a nutrition & weight loss specialist and the Founder & Medical Director of the Center for Nutrition and Preventive Medicine with weight loss clinics in Kansas City & Topeka.

On his web site he uses this Wheel diagram. He begins with an affirmation of the non-physical aspect of a person: “[This article] discusses the aspects of humans that cannot be measured, but are essential for health. You see, as a physician with a reflective and analytical nature, I am convinced that there is a very important non-physical aspect to each of us that makes us who we are. Further, this must be acknowledged and discussed if we are to seek after ‘whole person’ optimum health.”

After defining the body, soul and spirit, he makes a good case for holistic health to minimize the risk of illness and improve well being. He summarizes,

“Once considered, the interactions between body, soul and spirit are apparent. To achieve great physical health, also pursue health in soul and spirit. Seek optimum health in all areas of life. Your efforts, pursued with passion, sincerity, and wisdom, will be honored and rewarded. May your life be richly blessed as you pursue health and what is true, right and good in your life.”

–DrTague.com

Herbert C. Anstey (1843-1922) wrote this summary of biblical teaching on the model of man.

The Old Testament View
Man, as God’s creature, is made up of three distinct parts — body, soul and spirit. Animals are said in Scripture to possess both soul and body, but not spirit. Thus in Genesis 1:30 we read of “every beast of the earth  …  every fowl of the air, and  …  everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life.” The word used for life is the Hebrew word nephesh, or soul. But when we come to man, God now consults as to the creature that is to have dominion: “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness.” “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). What an important and twofold difference from animals! Both the formation of his body and his inspiration were immediately from God — two things which we do not read of any of the lower creatures.

Further, Scripture tells us that “there is a spirit [ruah] in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding” (Job 32:8). But we also read that the beasts “have no understanding” (Psa. 32:9), and the word used for “understanding” is the same as that used for “spirit.” In the same way we read, “Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses flesh, and not spirit” (Isa. 31:3). The first place we read this word ruah in Scripture, it is applied to God: “The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Gen. 1:2). Later, Elihu applies this word to the spirit in man (Job 32), and he applies the same word to God in Job 33:4. Job also contrasts soul and spirit, when he asks, “In whose hand is the soul [nephesh] of every living thing, and the breath [ruah] of all mankind?” (Job 12:10). It is clear that the “spirit” is the higher part in man, for the word ruah is also used in reference to the Spirit of God. The beasts perish (Psa. 49:12), but as to man, both soul and spirit are immortal. That which may be destroyed by death (and even this, as to man, is only for a time) is merely this external shell, the house that contains both spirit and soul. The soul departs at death from its tenement, but it is not affected by death. Ecclesiastes also speaks of the spirit: “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit [rooagh] shall return unto God who gave it” (Eccl. 12:7). It is by means of the body that the varied feelings and emotions of man manifest themselves. In Scripture, some of these are ascribed to the spirit, some to the soul, and some to both soul and spirit.

The New Testament View
When we come to the New Testament, we find that Old Testament truths are all established in the New and fully unfolded. But there are other truths revealed in the New Testament respecting “spirit and soul and body,” for now God has brought “life and immortality [incorruptibility] to light through the gospel” (2 Tim. 1:10). When the soul is spoken of, the Greek word psukee is equivalent to the Hebrew nephesh. For spirit, the Greek word pneuma is given as the equivalent for ruah. In the Septuagint translation of the Bible, these words are used in the Old Testament as well as the New.
The three parts of which man is constituted — “spirit and soul and body” — may for a time be separated. Death is the condition of the body without a tenant, for the body is the man’s earthly house, the habitation of both spirit and soul. While in it, he is said to be “at home in the body,” but “the body without the spirit is dead” (James 2:26). But we also read that the death of the body does not affect the soul. “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul” (Matt. 10:28). In man, only the body is mortal; it is capable of and liable to death and, after that, also to corruption.

Having seen that death is the dissolving of the tie that has kept together the man, “spirit and soul and body,” we can also see the wondrous way that Christianity triumphs over all the misery that sin and death have introduced into this world. The Lord says to the poor thief dying by His side, “Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). These words did not refer to his body, for it was doubtless cast into a common grave on earth. Rather, the words referred to his soul and spirit that would from that day onward be with the Lord in a state of conscious pleasure, rest and delight. Paul also could speak of this instant happiness of the believer after death, when he spoke of “having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” (Phil. 1:23). On earth, Paul knew more of communion with Him than many, yet he says it is “far better” to be “absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8).

As to death for the unbeliever, we read those solemn words, “After death the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). According to Luke 16:23, the unbelieving rich man who died was “in torments,” although there only in soul and spirit. He was able to feel, see, and speak — how awful! More than this, there is a “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29). At the great white throne, we read that “death and hades gave up the dead which were in them” (Rev. 20:13 JND). Death delivers up the body, while hades delivers up the soul, and man is reunited — body, soul and spirit — to be judged. Eternal judgment, called the “second death” (Rev. 20:14), is the fulfillment of Matthew 10:28, “Fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

The Lord’s Coming
Of the believer we read, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” (1 Cor. 15:51), for the proper hope of the believer is the Lord’s coming for him. The spirit and soul are not changed, but rather the body. “We await the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, who shall transform our body of humiliation into conformity to His body of glory” (Phil. 3:20-21 JND). For those alive when He comes, there is no separation of spirit and soul and body, for Christ has broken the power of him who had the “power of death”; “in a moment” they are to be caught away in the power of life. They do not die, but “mortality” is “swallowed up of life” (2 Cor. 5:4).

As Christians, we should remember that the affections and desires of the soul must be kept under control, if we are to grow in divine things. The Word of God must at all times be allowed to come in “quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12). The word “sensual” in Jude 5:19 is psukeekoi and may be translated “soulish”; that is, they were controlled by it. Similar was the desire of the man in Luke 12:19: “Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” This has been the language of very many since then. The natural affections also, though formed of God, are strikingly referred to in many places as possible hindrances in the path of faithful discipleship, if allowed to govern us.

Fitting in the midst of all the snares that surround us is the prayer of the Apostle: “I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23).

Another treatise on this topic by H. C. Anstey is online at https://bibletruthpublishers.com/herbert-chisholm-anstey/man-a-tripartite-being-composed-of-spirit-soul-and-body/h-c-anstey/lub45-1796