earticle

영어

In Western Christian theology, the dominant dualistic conception of the human person (body-soul) has generated a dichotomy between the private-public, interior-exterior, and sacred-secular realms of life. As a result, spiritual life has been confined to a private contemplative exercise, while ethical praxis and social responsibility have been neglected. In this article, I will employ the transversal method to engage in an interdisciplinary dialogue between Moltmann’s theology and science. Through interdisciplinary dialogue, theology can enrich itself with the scientific knowledge of human nature and construct a more concretely contextualized conception of human beings. However, in the process, I will pay special attention and caution to prevent reductionism, a frequent pitfall in conversation between science and theology. This article attempts to overcome a fragmented construal of human beings while avoiding a physically reductionist conclusion: the soul is “nothing but” the brain. Critical realism and emergent theory will help us in perceiving the complexity and wholeness of life and the world while avoiding reductionism. Restoration of Christian wholistic anthropology will aid reconstruction of the fragmented, intellect-centered tendency of Christian education towards a wholistic approach, involving all dimensions of a person. Furthermore, wholistic anthropology emphasizing human beings’ fundamental relatedness to the natural environment in the web of life will rekindle greater ecological awareness and responsibility of Christians as stewards, reexamining a traditional anthropocentric position in creation.