Body and Soul

Chapter 2 - Human Persons as Substances or Property-Things

The most helpful part of this chapter was the chart followed by the detailed and down-to-earth explanations of it. Distinguishing from Substance and Property-things was helpful to know what exactly we are dealing with in this debate. I have to admit that often the wording of this chapter became too cumbersome for me. But, I after reading it a few more times, I think I can walk away with a solid understanding of the discussion.

Chapter 3 - Human Persons in Naturalist & Complementarian Perspectives

The authors come right out the of gate expressing their purpose as showing that Complementarians and naturalists use the same logic and the ramifications of such a position. Using the human experience of pain helpfully unpacked the assumptions in these views and how they are inherently inconsistent with our experience and solid philosophy. The authors also successfully demonstrate some of the inconsistencies embedded in the naturalist position. Referring back to the previous chapter, we see that humans are a kind of person and how that plays into the role of body and soul.

Summary

The link between theology, philosophy and ethics became clearer to me. I see that certain philosophical commitments, if incorrect, can lead us to certain theological positions. While this may be harmless, in the case of the soul, it can have damaging effects on our ethics. Issues of abortion and euthanasia and therefore human life are at stake. I was inspired by this reading to do more work on thoroughly understanding my own theology from a philosophical perspective.

I was encouraged by the distinction between humans and persons. In short, a human is a kind of person. This is important because God has personality. Also, if a fetus is a human (not merely an undeveloped lump of cells as naturalist claim), we must acknowledge the soul and personhood.

There is still very much grey about this issue for me, but I am eager to discuss in more in the January class. I entered into the sundry readings on the soul disinterested. However, after reading, I am very eager to know more. However, I feel very ill-equipped to deal with this subject in a significant and cogent way.