immortal being
Lehman Strauss (2004) described Tripartite Nature of Man as an immortal being who is more than a physical being. Strauss (2004) stated, “Man is a triune being because he is created in the image of God.” God is claimed to be a tripartite man consisting of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Tripartite Man approach considers that man has a spiritual nature which is separate and distinct from the body. Tripartite Man approach believes man is composed of three parts; spirit, soul, and body. Strauss stresses 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and Hebrews 4:12 for the claim of the Tripartite Nature of Man. Dr. Clarence Larkin is quoted by Strauss for his explanation of the three components for the nature of man. Larkin believes the body is using the five senses to touch the “Material” world. The soul consists of the imaginations, conscience, memory, reason, and affections. Man is a living soul and not just containing a living soul. Spirit takes impressions through the soul which would be like faith and hope.
The biological approach differs from the Tripartite Man approach. Biological approach believes man to be as a consequence of the genetics and physiology or a biological organism. The biological approach believes man is made through evolution. The characteristic changes of a species are based on natural selection. They believe all species are related and gradually change over time. Biological approach focuses on genetics and physical basis of man; whereas, Tripartite Man approach views man as a spiritual nature and greater than physical being.
The physiological psychology focuses behavior to the activity of the brain and other organs. It deals with the “chemical reactions that enable hormones to influence brain activity and routes by which the brain controls muscle contraction” (Kalat, 2019, p.7). Keeping both approaches in mind while in this course will help to give different aspects to physiological psychology. Understanding the Tripartite Man approach will help give a nonphysical aspect to physiological psychology which is more about the physical being.
References
Kalat, J. W. (2019). Biological Psychology (13th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.
Strauss, L. (2004). 2. Man a trinity (Spirit, Soul, Body). Retrieved from https://bible.org/seriespage/2-