One of the objections to the spirit, soul, and body view of man by some biblical counselors is that it can be used to promote psychiatry and psychotherapy and diminish spiritually oriented counseling.

Admittedly, we see an obvious connection of the aspects of man’s makeup with three general approaches to therapy:

• Body: The psychiatrist has a physical orientation. He/she is an M.D. with advanced training in psychopharmacology and related matters. Their primary modality is to treat disruptive mental and emotional problems with prescribed medication.

• Soul: The psychotherapist (such as a licensed professional counselor) will have a soul treatment orientation. Even the name conveys this (a combination of the Greek words for soul + treatment).

• Spirit: The pastoral/biblical counselor has a special concern for spiritual realities (such as regeneration and sanctification). Since secular psychiatry and psychotherapy usually ignore or misinterpret the root cause(s) of mental, emotional and behavioral problems, the pastoral counselor brings biblical revelation to bear on resolving personal and relational conflicts. Sin requires forgiveness, and self-centeredness needs to be replaced with Christ-centeredness (1 John 1:9; Romans 12:1,2; Gal. 2:20).

Since we are advocating holistic trichotomy, we hasten to add that the pastoral counselor should be informed and sensitive to any physical factors and psychological and relational issues that pertain to the therapeutic goals of counseling.

Although spirit, soul, and body are ontologically distinct, they are interrelated in influence and functioning. We need to care for and treat the whole person and his/her relationships.
   
Some Christian integrationist counselors have used the spirit, soul, body distinction to minimize or marginalize biblical counseling. They claim the soul or physical domain as their specialties, bolstered by the status of licensure and —in some districts —preventing non state-licensed helpers from using the title of “counselor.”

Now to the main point of this article: Does the potential misuse of the spirit, soul, and body view of man justify rejecting the doctrine of man as trichotomous? This seems to be the case behind an unnecessary dogmatism in favor dichotomy in some biblical counseling organizations.

          
Answer: If the potential misuse of a doctrine prevents it being received, believed, and taught, other evangelical doctrines would be abandoned.

Examples.

1.The doctrine of the Second Coming of Christ is an important, practical, biblical teaching. For example, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18:

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

However, this doctrine can be misused. Some in Thessalonica became lazy and did not support themselves financially. The context implies that they excused their lack of employment because they were waiting for Christ’s return (2 Thess. 3:6-15).

2. The doctrine of justification by faith apart from works is an important biblical teaching. For example:

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Rom. 5:1; 4:5; cf. Ephesians. 2:8,9).

However, this doctrine can be misused. Some accused Paul of discounting good works or excusing sin. In Romans 3:8 Paul answers these critics: “And why not say, ‘Let us do evil that good may come’?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.”

3. The doctrine that the New Covenant believer is not under law, but under grace is an important, practical, biblical teaching.

For example, Romans 6:14b “…for you are not under law but under grace.” (Cf Gal. 3:24,25; 5:1-6).

However, this doctrine can be misused. Note some corrected misunderstandings

• The apostle Paul was not “a minister of sin” (Gal 2:17).
• The law is not against the promises of God (Gal. 3:21).
• The law is not sin (Rom. 7:7), but holy, just and good (Rom. 7:12).
• We are not antinomian, but need to use the law of God properly (1 Tim. 1:8-11).

Conclusion

These are some examples of biblical doctrines that evangelical Christians agree upon, yet can be misused. There is a crucial difference between articulating accurate Biblical doctrine and clarifying the proper use, or misuse, of it. The first is an ontological issue (being), the latter is a practical issue (doing).

JBW

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible New King James Version (Thomas Nelson)

For another article on how man’s spirit, soul, and body relate to counseling approaches, see https://gracenotebook.com/the-doctor-is-in/