- Home
- religion
- psychology
- science
- Soul-Searching
Soul-Searching
The Evolution of Judeo-Christian Thinking on the Soul and the Afterlife
Foreword by Malcolm A. Jeeves
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
There are well over one hundred different views of the nature of human existence; though the Bible may rule out many of these, there still remains a large number that are all compatible with Scripture. The Bible never explicitly defines the nature of the soul or spirit, which is actually quite puzzling or even ironic, given that one major aim of Scripture is spiritual development and ultimate questions about the soul. In fact, Judeo-Christian thinking on those questions has been evolving over the course of four thousand years.
This book documents that evolution as a man named Abram left Babylon four thousand years ago, journeying through the lands and the philosophies of civilizations preceding him by many more thousands of years, while he and his descendants (both physical and spiritual) unpacked their understanding of our inner being--the human soul--and the afterlife. That journey is followed to the present day, and examines how a critically thinking Christian can embrace a theology of the human soul that is fully compatible with modern scientific findings, including explanations for consciousness, mind, and soul.
Luke J. Janssen is a professor of medicine at McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario), with a PhD in medical science (physiology and pharmacology; 1990) and a master’s degree in theological studies (2019). He is the author of over 150 scientific and theological publications, and blogs regularly on the subject of faith and science at lukejjanssen.wordpress.com.
“This is not a book for those who want slick and simplistic answers to profound and difficult questions. It is a book that will guide the thoughtful reader to a deepening understanding of our mysterious human nature.”
—from the Foreword by Malcolm Jeeves, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of St. Andrews
“For anyone wanting to explore what the Bible actually says about the soul, heaven, and hell, this book is a place to begin. Along the way Dr. Janssen offers balanced discussions about related issues: What is the ontology of our humanity? Which philosophical framework, Cartesian Dualism or monism, best describes reality? How have surrounding cultures shaped the Scriptures? Can science explain consciousness? Janssen challenges us to reconsider the complexities of discerning what we thought we already knew.”
—Dave Singer, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, former executive editor, American Bible Society
“Fides quaerens intellectum, usually translated ‘faith seeking understanding,’ is an intellectual method advanced by Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109) which stresses that belief is a means to pursue truth. Janssen helps readers pursue that noble ambition as a scientist tracing the developments of anthropology and ontology in the Judeo-Christian heritage as it engages with scientific advances.”
—August H. Konkel, Professor of Old Testament, McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON
Related Titles
