Bodies, Souls, and Human Flourishing
“Without knowledge of the self there is no knowledge of God.”
–John Calvin, The Knowledge of God and of Ourselves.
This mini-course will explore what the Bible says about our soul, what philosophy can add to this understanding, and how this all relates to the findings of neuroscience. With a clear understanding of the soul, body, and their relationship, we will discuss how we can use this in apologetic conversations and engage some contemporary cultural challenges, including gender ideology and biomedical ethics. The lectures will outline some of the high points of the author’s recent book on this topic: Have We Lost Our Minds? Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
One of the strongest arguments for the existence of God is the reality of the soul. This dispels the myth that we, along with everything else, are merely physical beings. And if we have an immaterial dimension, the only way to account for this fact is a cause that is also immaterial–God. We must be able to make this case to an unbelieving world.
Furthermore, with advances in neuroscience, many Christians are confused about whether we actually have a soul, and if so, what the soul is, how it is related to the body (and especially the brain), and how this relates to the cultural issues of our day and ultimately human flourishing. Therefore, we must be able to help fellow believers understand and defend the reality of the soul as well.
Explain key terms and ideas in biblical and philosophical anthropology
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Defend a sound biblical/ philosophical anthropology
Critique anthropologies inconsistent with the biblical worldview
Apply this understanding to apologetic and cultural issues.
The following is the asynchronous class schedule. Students will watch four recorded lectures at their own pace and submit questions for discussion in the Canvas Learning Management System. Classmates and the Instructor will respond to the discussion questions asynchronously.
Lecture 1: The True Nature of Our Souls and Bodies, will explore what the Bible teaches about the soul and body, and bring more nuance from the findings of philosophy.
Lecture 2: A Very Popular–But Very Wrong–Alternative Anthropologywill discuss the alternative view of what we are: merely physical beings, both among non-believers (secular physicalism) and among some believers (Christian physicalism). Five arguments proving the soul exists will be discussed.
Lecture 3: Responding to Four Objections to Holistic Dualismlooks at four ways physicalists often respond to arguments for the soul, and responses.
Lecture 4: How the Holistic Dualism Helps Us Better Love Othersapplies what we have learned to issues such as the reality of the immaterial realm and God’s existence, gender ideologies, and biomedical ethics.
(*links to all four lectures will be sent upon registration)
Required Materials
Computer with a camera, microphone, and Zoom
Internet Access
Administrator
Dr. Stan Wallace
WhatsApp: +1 913-747-5774
Requirements (all six must be satisfactorily completed to receive a Certificate)
1. Watch the Introduction and answer the Introduction question in Canvas (due May 23)
2. Lecture 1:
Watch Lecture 1 and post one discussion question to Canvas (due May 27)
Post two discussion responses to Canvas (due June 4)
3. Lecture 2:
Watch Lecture 2 and post one discussion question to Canvas (due June 5)
Post two discussion responses to Canvas (due June 13)
4. Lecture 3:
Watch Lecture 3 and post one discussion question to Canvas (due June 14)
Post two discussion responses to Canvas (due June 21)
5. Lecture 4:
Watch Lecture 3 and post one discussion question to Canvas (due June 22)
Post two discussion responses to Canvas (due June 30)
6. Submit a final paper to Canvas (due July 4)
Topic: A question you have had, or a skeptic has raised, about any issue discussed in this mini-course. Include a clear statement of the question, how you are now prepared to respond, objections that may be raised to your response(s), and your replies to these objections.
Length: Three pages (Times New Roman 12 point font, 2.5 cm/1 inch margins).
Format: PDF
Evaluation Criterion: Does the paper indicate you are able to answer this question adequately the next time it arises?
Award: The author and best paper (as determined by the instructor) will be featured on the Apologetics on Mission website and as a guest author/article in AoM’s “Apologetics Notes” email (sent to over 700 recipients).
Assignment Make-up Policy
Given the brevity of this mini-course, late/makeup work will not be accepted.
Communication
If you have any questions, technical difficulties, or other concerns, please contact the Administrator.