A Theory of Soul Consistent with Scripture and Neuroscience - Part 11: Addressing the oxymoron of "Christian Monism"

[See here for introductory comments.]

             If you've read much of this blog, you know that I consider myself a dualist.  I assume that my Theory of the Soul would be classified as a dualist theory.  However, the label "dualist" can mean different things to different people.  I want to clarify what I mean when I use that label.  Also, at the same time, I keep finding a lot of Christians who are monists or, at the very least, "anti-dualists", and that surprises me.  I think some of the apparent disagreement might just be a difference in "definition of words", and so a clarification is in order.

             When I call myself a dualist, I mean that I am convinced that there is a non-physical (i.e. supernatural or spiritual) aspect to human beings.  The term "soul" is generally used to describe this non-physical component, although the word "soul" has a lot of meanings.  From a scriptural standpoint, I personally prefer to use the term "soul-spirit" or psuche-pneuma (Greek), because I think it more appropriately captures the sense of scripture on that topic.  I have discussed that in more detail elsewhere.

             I also believe that human beings are the only physical entities with a spiritual nature.  Or, to phrase it more simply:  only humans have souls.  I would distinguish my views from the idea of "panpsychism" - the idea that there is a bit of soul in everything.  I do, however, think that there is a whole "spiritual world" that pervades the universe and beyond.  But that is not the same as thinking that whatever makes up the soul in a human also makes up the components of everything else. 

             I have read articles by Christians who seem to believe that human beings have no non-physical component at all.  That concept makes no sense to me and it concerns me.  I don't see how it is possible to read the New Testament and not be convinced of the existence of a spiritual world.  My suspicion is that the only reason a Christian would see human beings as completely physical is because they are convinced that neuroscience has settled that score and so they are trying to fit their beliefs into that mold.  Specifically, they would be operating under the impression that neuroscience has proven that humans are only physical and therefore ideas like the "mind" and "soul" and even "consciousness" are simply manifestations of physical properties and are thus properly categorized as physical properties themselves.  For Christians in that situation, I do hope that my Theory of the Soul can provide an alternative way of looking at the issue.  As I have said previously, I hope to show that you can be a Christian (and a dualist), and not throw out any past, current, or even future discoveries in neuroscience...and still be a rational human being.

             On the other hand, I see that some Christians, and many others, are afraid of dualism because they consider it responsible for a lot of wrongs in the world.  They blame dualism for the behavior that stems from the idea that the physical body and the physical world is not that important.  When Christians focus their whole world around spiritual teachings and ignore the poor, or abuse women, or spew forth anger...many people blame a dualistic worldview as at the base of the problem.  I would agree that such behavior is wrong, but I disagree that it is grounds for throwing out dualism.  It does mean that the concept of dualism needs to be carefully defined and, I think, refined, so that it is not misused.  I am hopeful that Christians will develop a more refined view of their dualism that will provide guardrails that keep people from going to extremes and falling into those bad behaviors.  My Theory of the Soul is one attempt at refining this view.

             Let me just throw out one important point that might help establish some useful guardrails around dualism:  in my Theory of the Soul, nearly all of human behavior is due to the physical processes that go on within the human body, primarily the brain.  And when I say "nearly all", I mean like 99.99% of all human behavior is physical.  Yes, I am a dualist.  Yes, I am an unapologetic libertarian when it comes to free will.  But the soul, the mind, free will...they all need to be put in proper context.  I think free will is always available to humans, but rarely used.  I think moral decisions arise from deep within the soul, but are rarely expressed.  Thus, if we are to impact human behavior, we have to address the physical, physiological, psychological, brain health foundation of human behavior.  Christians definitely should not ignore the physical component of their lives and brains.  Building good habits is important.  Addressing the psychological problems in the brain is important.  This is frequently addressed through counseling and medication, because those can affect, and hopefully assist, the healing of the physical brain.  None of those activities should be ignored.  If your goal is to "exemplify Christ" in your life and behavior, you'll never be able to do that if you ignore 99.99% of your decisions and actions!

             So, you can't throw out or ignore your physical actions.  But a contrasting point (for Christians) is that the spiritual realm is always more important than the physical realm.  That does not mean to ignore the physical at all, but the right priority should be established.  This comes directly from the teachings of Jesus as he tried to change the worldview of his disciples.  For example: "... store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" [Matt 6:20-21].  The physical will not last forever, but the spiritual will.  Jesus was constantly trying to get the disciples to think of the spiritual world first.  He said things like "beware of the leaven of the Pharisees" and the disciples immediately started talking about whether they had enough bread.  In what I imagine is exasperation, Jesus chastises their "physical-first" view by reminding them that they had already experienced him multiplying bread to thousands, not once, but twice, and that he was not, in any way, referring to physical bread, but to the teaching of the Pharisees.  Jesus is not asking us to be blind to the physical world, but open up our eyes to see the broader and more impactful spiritual world. 

             Finally, it seems to me that our physical brain affects our spiritual soul.  This possibility should not be overlooked.  In that manner, our "physical selves" can leave an eternal impression, if you will, on our souls.  That is a very important point that I'll have to pick up in more detail in the future.

             In the end, you can be greatly improved through physical means - through retraining and healing of your brain.  But the one thing you cannot not do (in my view) is be transformed.  Transformation occurs in the spiritual realm and requires the Holy Spirit.  This is the "noodle reins" problem.  But to ignore a damaged brain, which is directly involved in 99.99% of your behaviors, is a really bad approach to trying to live a Christ-like life.  The brain needs to be healed (physical).  The soul needs to be transformed (spiritual).  To me, that is the essence of dualism as it applies to the Christian faith.