Bodies, Souls, and Human Flourishing
(This page is for those taking the course online)
“Without knowledge of the self there is no knowledge of God.”
–John Calvin, The Knowledge of God and of Ourselves
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.
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.
You may register for this course at the bottom of this page.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Explain key terms and ideas in biblical and philosophical anthropology
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 online 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.
Lecture 1: The True Nature of Our Souls and Bodies (59 minutes) 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 Anthropology (35 minutes) will 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 Dualism (43 minutes) looks at four ways physicalists often respond to arguments for the soul, and responses.
Lecture 4: How the Holistic Dualism Helps Us Better Love Others (39 minutes) applies what we have learned to issues such as the reality of the immaterial realm and God’s existence, gender ideologies, and biomedical ethics.
Required Materials
Computer with internet access
Canvas account
Administrator
Gary Ayers
Certificate Requirements
Note: The only way to take this course online is for a Certificate (there is no Audit option). Please select “Certificate” when you register.
Note: To earn a certificate, all six requirements must be satisfactorily completed by their due dates.
1. Introduction
Watch the Course Introduction video (the video link will be emailed to you after you register. It will include information on how to log in to Canvas)
As you watch, think about this question: "What are you most interested in learning more about during this mini-course, and why?"
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 (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. Note: AI-generated papers will be disqualified.
Length: Three pages (Times New Roman 12 point font, 2.5 cm/1 inch margins).
Format: PDF
How: Submit to Canvas
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.