Routledge The Soul of Theological Anthropology: A Cartesian Exploration (Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies)

Recent research in the philosophy of religion, anthropology, and philosophy of mind has prompted the need for a more integrated, comprehensive, and systematic theology of human nature. This project constructively develops a theological accounting of human persons by drawing from a Cartesian (as a term of art) model of anthropology, which is motivated by a long tradition. As was common among patristics, medievals, and Reformed Scholastics, Farris draws from philosophical resources to articulate Christian doctrine as he approaches theological anthropology. Exploring a substance dualism model, the author highlights relevant theological texts and passages of Scripture, arguing that this model accounts for doctrinal essentials concerning theological anthropology. While Farris is not explicitly interested in thorough critique of materialist ontology, he notes some of the significant problems associated with it. Rather, the present project is an attempt to revitalize the resources found in Cartesianism by responding to some common worries associated with it. Review ‘Recent interest in non-physicalist accounts of the human subject raises the question of how mind and body are integrated. In this ground-breaking book, Joshua Farris offers an answer through a consideration of the soul’s origin. His view combines the virtues of both creationism and emergentism, aiming to offer an account of the soul-body relationship that is both satisfying and non-arbitrary. Holding theology and philosophy in proper relationship, Farris’ excellent book offers arguments that are both well-informed and broad in scope. The issues he raises and the answer he offers deserve an ongoing place in contemporary discussion of Christian anthropology and philosophy of mind.’ – Jonathan Loose, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy & Psychology at Heythrop College, University of London, UK‘Joshua Farris's The Soul of Theological Anthropology is a bold, brilliant defense of Cartesian philosophy of mind in the context of Christian theology. This much-needed challenge to contemporary secular and theological materialism is advanced with great clarity, insight, and rigor.’ – Charles Taliaferro, Professor of Philosophy and Department Chair at St. Olaf College, USA‘Materialist or physicalist accounts of the human person--whether non-reductive or reductive--comport neither with scriptural revelation and its exigencies, nor with sound philosophical reflection on human consciousness. Given the current popularity of physicalist accounts, Joshua Farris's book is tremendously welcome. In my view, the greatest achievement of this wide-ranging book is that Farris raises, in a clear and erudite fashion, the most pressing issue for those who affirm that humans possess spiritual souls. Namely, given that the soul is distinct from the body and not subject to bodily demise, could it be that the human person is the soul, and if so then what status does the body have? Although I myself hold Thomistic views on these topics, Farris's bold and stimulating effort to retrieve a Christian Cartesianism makes this book required reading for everyone who cares about what it means to profess human ensoulment.’ – Matthew Levering, James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary, USA ‘Joshua R. Farris's highly original work explores the viability of a Cartesian substance dualism approach to personhood as a model for constructive theology. It not only offers a robust defense of substance dualism, but is also very distinctive in representing the first theologically constructive exploration of a Cartesian model of person-body substance dualism, making a case for its compatibility with the scriptural narrative on human beings, and reflecting systematically on human ontology in light of origins, embodiment, sin, beatific vision, Christology, the intermediate state, and resurrection. Of particular interest is his revitalising of the origin of the soul discussio