Body, Soul and Human Life

Are humans composed of two different substances- a material body and immaterial soul? The view that they are is common amongst Christians yet it has been undermined by developments in brain science. But is the common Christian view actually a biblical view? Recent biblical studies have gravitated away from the idea that humans are composed of a distinct body and soul. Joel Green argues that at a number of key points the Bible and neurosciences are characterized by convergence rather than competition. Exploring what scripture and theology teach about being in the Divine image, the importance of community, sin, freewill, salvation and the afterlife, Green argues that the biblical teaching on being human is not in conflict with the discoveries of recent brain science. According to Green, the dualistic view of the human person is inconsistent with both science and Scripture. This is a wide-ranging discussion taking a broad sweep of biblical theology, detailed examination of key biblical texts, theological and philosophical considerations, and the most recent work in brain science. It is sure to provoke much thought and discussion.