文 / MingSir
导读：
在属灵成长的探索中，我们常会遇到“人是由什么构成的”这个问题——是身体和灵魂的结合（二元论），还是身体、魂、灵三部分的组合（三元论）？不同的神学传统给出了不同答案。
我信主后多年持守的就是三元论，可近来被诸多批评文章搅扰，声称二元论才是圣经正统。我就纳闷了，一批一批的神学家争辩这个话题就罢了，居然有很多连言论自由都没有的信徒也在讨论这些话题？
所以我要讲的是：我不反对神学讨论，但无论哪种理论，真正重要的，不是这个结构本身，而是这个问题是否指向一个核心：它是否帮助我们更真实地亲近神、认识自己、活出自由？否则这些都是空谈。
一、先看看二者结构的争议与灵修的实践
二元论：
认为人是身体（Body）与灵魂（Soul）的统一整体，灵魂包含思想、情感、意志以及与神的关系。
三元论：
强调灵（Spirit）是与神直接沟通的部分，魂（Soul）是情感与人格活动的中心，身体则是执行工具。
这两者如果被偏执使用，便会在灵修中造成误导：
- 有人把“魂”当作属肉体的敌人，以致否定人的情感与理性，无法整合心理与属灵生活；
- 有人否认灵的独特属神之处，结果把属灵成长等同于道德自律，最终灵性干枯、生命僵化。
真正的灵修，不在于你信哪一种结构，而在于你是否全人归主：情感是否被洁净，思想是否被更新，意志是否被交托，灵是否与神连结。
二、人的自由，不只是灵魂的事，也是公共生活的事
在这个世界上，每个人的灵魂与行为都各不相同。思想的自由，是上帝赋予每个人的本能。但正因如此，真正统一人的思想几乎是不可能的。
然而，通过肉体需求的控制与物欲的辖制，人们却可以被迫表现出一致。这种一致不是认同，而是不敢不一致。是被饿怕了、被打怕了、被孤立怕了后的沉默。
你会发现，不论是极权之下的“维稳社会”，还是消费主义下的“娱乐至死”，都在用不同方式统一人的意识——不是用真理，而是用手段。各种各样控制人获得物质需求和生理需求的举措，让你不得不向权力低头、向既得利益者低头。
在这样的社会里，政府常常自诩“给你饭吃就够了”，好像温饱问题一解决，它就可以剥夺人一切其他权利。
甚至在新冠疫情期间，部分行政力量控制了退烧药、感冒药的流通，连普通人最基本的医疗自主与出行自由都被以“防疫”为名加以限制，人们不得不在身心高度焦虑中被迫服从。
但人不是动物。灵魂的饥渴，绝不能被面包安慰；思想的自由，不能被口号压制。在这样的情况下，谁还有心思去思考三元论还是二元论对人的救赎更加直接呢？
三、政府的善恶，正在于它对“人性”的态度
一个政府是否正义，不取决于它盖了多少房子、搞了多少建设，而在于：
它是否压制了人的灵魂，还是释放了人的自由？如果一个政权让人不能说话、不能思考、不能信仰，那它无论多“强大”，本质上都是反人性的邪恶结构。
而一个真正民主与光明的国家，是尊重人性的政体。它鼓励人独立思考，允许人自由信仰，也愿意接受制度的批评与监督。
信仰不是逃避现实，而是带着真实的灵魂穿越现实。我们学习主的品格，是为了让自己活得像人，像那个被神所造、被祂所爱的自由人，而不是那个邪恶政权下的工具人；
我们追求自由，是因为“主就是那灵；主的灵在哪里，那里就得以自由。”（林后3:17）
我们关注制度，是因为神不仅要我们得救，更要我们在地上“行公义、好怜悯、存谦卑的心”（弥6:8b）；
真正的灵修，不止于静默祷告，更表现为为自由发声，为良知站立，为下一个世代留下光明的榜样。
结语：
愿我们在这个世界，不再做被“灵、肉”割裂的人，也不是被政权驯服的工具，而是被基督的真理更新的活人。
弟兄姐妹们，如果你是那个被基督拣选的人，是那个重生得救的人，是那个重获新生的人，就该时刻持守这份爱心，好无挂虑地跟随圣灵带领，大胆追求美好的生活。从自己的内心去除撒但的搅扰做起，并逐渐摆脱来自邪恶政权的辖制，活出那份新生的样式。
愿我们的灵与魂，都在真理中得自由。愿我们在家庭中带领属灵生命，在社会中守住真实声音，在灵修中不只等候主的恩典，也回应主的呼召。
愿我们都成为自由的人，带出自由的后代。
From Trichotomy and Dichotomy to Spiritual Discernment of Government and Faith
By MingSir
Preface:
In the journey of spiritual growth, we often encounter the question: What is man made of? Is it a union of body and soul (dichotomy), or is it composed of body, soul, and spirit (trichotomy)? Different theological traditions give different answers.
For many years after coming to faith, I held firmly to the trichotomy view. But recently, numerous critical articles have stirred me, claiming that dichotomy is the only biblical doctrine. I find it strange—let the theologians argue, that’s understandable. But why are even believers who don’t have basic freedom of speech debating these topics?
So here’s what I want to say: I don’t oppose theological discussion. But regardless of which theory we hold, the real question is this:
Does it help us draw closer to God, understand ourselves more truly, and live in spiritual freedom?Otherwise, it’s all empty talk.
I. Disputed Structures and Their Impact on Spiritual Practice
Dichotomy:
Believes that man is a unified whole of body and soul. The soul includes thoughts, emotions, will, and our relationship with God.
Trichotomy:
Teaches that the spirit is the part that communicates with God, the soul is the seat of emotion and personality, and the body is the vessel for action.
When taken to extremes, both views can lead to spiritual distortion:
- Some see the soul as the enemy of the spirit, denying the importance of emotions and reason. This disconnects psychology from spiritual life.
- Others diminish the spirit’s God-given role, reducing spiritual growth to mere moral discipline. The result is spiritual dryness and lifeless religiosity.
True spiritual formation isn’t about which model you follow. It’s about whether your whole being is surrendered to God—whether your emotions are purified, your mind renewed, your will submitted, and your spirit connected to Him.
II. Freedom Is Not Just a Personal Matter—It’s Also a Public One
In this world, every person’s soul and actions are unique. Freedom of thought is a divine gift to every human being. That’s why true unity of thought is virtually impossible.
However, through control of physical needs and manipulation of material desires, people can be forced to conform. This forced unity isn’t conviction—it’s submission under fear: fear of hunger, of violence, of isolation.
You’ll see it clearly: whether in authoritarian “stability maintenance” societies or in consumerist “entertainment addiction,” the goal is the same—to standardize thought not by truth, but by technique.
Through policies that control access to material and biological needs, people are pressured to bow to power and to those with vested interests.
In such a society, the government often boasts, “Isn’t it enough that we feed you?” As if solving material poverty gives them the right to take away every other freedom.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, certain administrative powers restricted access to basic fever and cold medication, and even the freedom to travel was regulated in the name of public health. People were left with no choice but to comply under psychological and physical stress.
But man is not a beast. The hunger of the soul cannot be fed with bread. The freedom of the mind cannot be suppressed with slogans.
In this kind of world, who still has the space to debate whether trichotomy or dichotomy is the more accurate path to salvation?
III. The Goodness of Government Is Measured by Its Attitude Toward Human Nature
A government’s righteousness is not proven by how many buildings it constructs or how many projects it completes. The real question is:
Does it suppress the soul of man, or does it set the soul free?
If a regime prevents people from speaking, thinking, or believing freely, then no matter how “strong” it appears, it is—at its core—a system against humanity.
A truly democratic and righteous government respects the image of God in man. It encourages independent thought, allows freedom of faith, and is willing to receive criticism of its systems.
Faith is not an escape from reality. It is a way to pass through reality with a soul that remains awake and honest.
We pursue the character of Christ so we can live like humans again—not like tools under an evil regime, but like beloved, free people made in the image of God.
We pursue freedom because:
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17, NKJV)
We care about systems and governments because God calls us not only to be saved but to:
“Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8b, NKJV)
Real spiritual formation is not limited to silent prayer. It is also to speak for freedom, stand for conscience, and leave a path of light for the next generation.
Conclusion:
May we not live as fragmented beings—split between spirit and flesh—nor as tools subdued by power, but as living people renewed by the truth of Christ.
Dear brothers and sisters, if you are one of those chosen by Christ, born again and made new, then hold fast to this love, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit without fear. Boldly pursue the life God has set before you.
Start by cleansing your heart from the confusion of Satan, and gradually break free from the oppression of the evil powers of this age. Live out the new life God has given you.
May our spirits and souls be freed in the truth.
May we lead spiritual life within our families, keep our voices honest in society, and in our spiritual walk, not only wait for God’s grace but respond to His calling.
May we be free people, and raise a generation of freedom.
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