Dichotomy or trichotomy - see it from the angle of spiritual warfare

Theologians argue whether man is a dichotomy or a trichotomy regarding body, soul, and spirit. Because the Word of God uses soul and spirit synonymously many erroneously conclude man is a dichotomy of solely body and soul.

What they miss is the fact that the spirit is part of the soul. So really you can say both - dichotomy and trichotomy - are correct. We are body, soul, and spirit, and those three things are each separate, unique things; yet the spirit is part of the soul, so the soul can stand in as an identifier for both soul and spirit, hence man can also be said to be solely body and soul.

I'll go farther. You won't read this anywhere else, that I know of, because theologians stay clear of spiritual warfare.

Read this verse:

Heb_4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.

This refers to regeneration. Another subject theologians stay clear from, their fallen nature not wanting to concede sovereignty to God in regeneration but to man and ritual.

The Word of God is living language. Theologians are too shallow generally to know what that means. They assume the Bible is just like any other book, and they expose this approach in how they do textual criticism. They're shallow. Generally they've never read much literature out of their supposed specialty, or what their seminary professor told them is 'safe' to read. So they have nothing to compare and contrast to the Bible to see its unique nature. They haven't read epic poetry or the classical historians or even sacred literature of other religions. (Knowing they are false religions doesn't excuse willful ignorance in not reading such works.)

So with this in mind, that the Word of God is living language - quickening language, regenerating language - see what that verse is saying. The living Word actually goes into our soul and cuts out the spirit that is there, which is the spirit of Satan, of disobedience, of the Kingdom of Satan, and the Holy Spirit then replaces it with the Spirit of God, the Spirit of faith and repentance, the Spirit of the Kingdom of God.

We are body, soul, and spirit, but what 'spirit' do you have in your soul? The spirit of Satan, or the Spirit of God? What cosmos are you connected to? Darkness or light? Death or the living Water of Life?

This is why in regeneration the living Word of God is the wild card in the process. This is why you need to read the Bible complete, cover-to-cover. Get the complete living language into you and allow it to work, if, by the grace of God, the external call is also going to be an internal call.