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In Search of the Soul, Second Edition: Perspectives on the Mind-Body Problem
Why A Search for the Soul? Many Christians assume that it is biblically faithful and theologically noncontroversial to speak of humans having a soul. Yet a wide range of biblical scholars are questioning whether we have correctly understood what the Bible means when it speaks of the "soul". And contemporary neuroscience is laying more and more questions at the doorstep of the church, asking whether our human sense of self is intelligible on the basis of soul. But for thoughtful Christians, following science on this point looks like caving in to reductionism, while denying science gives off the door of obscurantism. In Search of the Soul provides a rare opportunity to listen in as four Christian philosophers set forth their best arguments for their distinct views and then respond to each other. While each of these views calls for careful framing and patient exposition, they are labeled as - SUBSTANCE DUALISM (Stewart Goetz) - EMERGENT DUALISM (William Hasker) - NONREDUCTIVE PHYSICALISM (Nancey Murphy) - CONSTITUTION VIEW OF PERSONS (Kevin Corcoran) The editor introduces the debate by laying out the critical issues at stake, and wraps it up by considering the implications for the Christian life, particularly hospitality and forgiveness. This is a book of timely interest to philosophers, theologians, psychologists, and pastors. Whatever conclusions readers may draw, they will find here an instructive and engaging discussion of a controversy that will not go away any time soon.
198 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2010
17 people want to read
About the author
Joel B. Green
108 books52 followersJoel B. Green (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament interpretation and associate dean of the Center for Advanced Theological Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. Prior to moving to Fuller, he taught at Asbury Theological Seminary for ten years. He is editor-in-chief of the Journal of Theological Interpretation and has authored or edited numerous books, including the Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 11, 2013
Very timely discussion that deserves some thought and theological work. This book brings both.
March 4, 2012
This book is not for the weak in their faith. This book contains the kind of thinking that could lead someone astray. Here's the problem: the authors are trying to understand something that is not understandable: "what is a soul and how does it relate to our physical bodies?"
As an example, and I won't go into too much detail because you cannot explain the authors' views in few words, I'll highlight what I see as the underlying problems with two of the views shared in this book. The first view is nonreductive physicalism; this view is undergirded with a belief in evolution and it uses that as a basis for discarded parts of Scripture.
The second view that is troublesome is the constitution view of persons; this view comes about because the author cannot understand how a soul can exist without a body because we cannot apprehend these immaterial souls.
One author sums it up nicely:
"Language regularly falls short of giving adequate expression to theological realities, and the realm of theology where our language is most inadequate is eschatology, the doctrine of last things. Our language of bodies is all based on the physical features of this world. We know that the next world--not just our bodies, but all of creation--will be as different as the resurrected Christ was from the bruised body laid in the tomb."
And therein lies the problem: we are trying to comprehend the incomprehensible with limited words and ideas. This can easily lead believers astray when they start thinking that something is false or inconsequential because they cannot understand it. Or they start bringing in external beliefs and false doctrines in order to bolster their ideas.
I found this book to be very difficult to read and could only take parts of it in small sessions. I would only recommend this book to those who can identify false doctrines and are strong enough not to be swayed by these doctrines.
As an example, and I won't go into too much detail because you cannot explain the authors' views in few words, I'll highlight what I see as the underlying problems with two of the views shared in this book. The first view is nonreductive physicalism; this view is undergirded with a belief in evolution and it uses that as a basis for discarded parts of Scripture.
The second view that is troublesome is the constitution view of persons; this view comes about because the author cannot understand how a soul can exist without a body because we cannot apprehend these immaterial souls.
One author sums it up nicely:
"Language regularly falls short of giving adequate expression to theological realities, and the realm of theology where our language is most inadequate is eschatology, the doctrine of last things. Our language of bodies is all based on the physical features of this world. We know that the next world--not just our bodies, but all of creation--will be as different as the resurrected Christ was from the bruised body laid in the tomb."
And therein lies the problem: we are trying to comprehend the incomprehensible with limited words and ideas. This can easily lead believers astray when they start thinking that something is false or inconsequential because they cannot understand it. Or they start bringing in external beliefs and false doctrines in order to bolster their ideas.
I found this book to be very difficult to read and could only take parts of it in small sessions. I would only recommend this book to those who can identify false doctrines and are strong enough not to be swayed by these doctrines.
June 16, 2011
At times quite interesting. At other times quite opaque. A bit of a slog for a general audience at times.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews