For more than a decade developments in science have prompted wide-ranging discussions about human nature. Gone are the days when this subject was the preserve of theologians and philosophers; today the fields of genetics and neuroscience are shifting attention to the biological basis of human nature. This engaging book takes readers straight to the intersection of religion and science, exploring what new scientific knowledge does and does not say about religious views on personhood. Written by an international, interdisciplinary team of scholars sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation, From Cells to Souls - and Beyond examines such questions as personal identity, the meaning of "human," the mind-body relationship, and subjective spiritual experience. Each topic is discussed against the backdrop of biblical theology with the relevant science made clear. The result is a fresh interpretation of the Christian doctrine of humankind true to both science and Scripture. Contributors: Diogenes Allen Warren S. Brown Gaius Davies Lindon Eaves Joel B. Green Malcolm Jeeves D. Gareth Jones David Parkes C. Michael Steel Alan J. Torrance Glenn Weaver Michael Welker Philip H. Wiebe
Malcolm Jeeves is professor emeritus of psychology at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
David G. Myers "In this cutting-edge work, Malcolm Jeeves engages scientists, philosophers, and theologians in reflecting on new discoveries in neuroscience, genetics, and psychology. One finds here a rich buffet of fascinating cases, evocative questions, and cogent insights, which Jeeves brilliantly weaves into a twenty-first-century portrait of human nature -- a portrait that appreciates our embodied spirituality as reflected in both science and Scripture. " John Polkinghorne "Recent developments in genetics and neuroscience pose important questions to ethical and theological thinking. This collection of papers by experts -- more than half of whom are scientists -- will be a valuable resource to those who wrestle with such problems. I particularly welcome the book's emphasis on 'duality without dualism' in its account of the human person." Nancey Murphy "Malcolm Jeeves is one of the most significant voices promoting the reconciliation of scientific and theological accounts of human nature. We are in his debt for creating this wide-ranging collection of essays by some of the best scholars in their fields" N. T. Wright "Despite what many people think, the Bible does not envisage human beings as split-level creatures (with, say, a distinct body and soul) but as complex, integrated wholes. The ultimate Christian hope is not for disembodied immortality but for bodily resurrection. But how does this square with state-of-the-art scientific insights about what makes us human? Remarkably well. The media regularly report neuroscientific and genetic research indicating the interdependence of mind, brain, and body. This outstanding book brings that work into dialogue with profound philosophical analysis and careful attention to relevant biblical texts. The result is not only a striking contribution to current debates about human nature but also a call to a better-informed compassion for those who suffer from neurological and psychiatric disorders. This book issues a clear call to fresh thought and positive action."
