Walking with God: Wholeness & Holiness for Common Christians uses the three aspects of man’s makeup an an outline for this vital topic.

The author, W. Phillip Keller (1920-97), “grew up in Africa as the son of missionary parents. Since then he has traveled extensively throughout the world as a nature photographer and agronomist. His more than thirty-five Christian books include the best-seller A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 (now with more than two million copies in print), God is My Delight, Strength of Soul, and Outdoor Moments with God.”

From the Publisher: “This book is for ‘the weary and worn who have lost their way and are uncertain where to turn.’ It allows us to see who we are, what direction we are taking, and where our destination will be.”

The first chapter begins with a clear statement of the author’s appreciation of holistic trichotomy:

“The Word of God makes clear to us that man is a tripartite being. This is both a divine declaration and a spiritual revelation. By that is meant that it is not the view held by science or man in his unregenerate condition.

The Scriptures show that man has three distinct and separate realms to his makeup. They are spirit, soul, and body. These are closely interrelated. They interact in remarkable complexity; yet each has its own unique functions or capacities.

For purposes of simplicity and clarity, each of the three areas will be treated separately in this book. We will observe how we walk with God in our spirits, in our souls, and in our bodies. At the same time, it has to be borne in mind that the three are so closely intertwined that each exerts great influence upon the others…” [1]

For Keller, discerning the Scriptural teaching of man as spirit, soul, and body was not a trivial issue. Rather, this view was central to his explanations and applications about how to walk with God and grow in progressive sanctification.

JBW

[1] W. Phillip Keller, Walking with God (Fleming H Revell, 1980), p. 29