1. Green on human nature in the bible - slide 1 Joel Green on human nature in the bible zRecent work in science suggests a physicalist account of human beings. Is this compatible with the biblical account of human nature? And can the biblical account add anything? zPopular Christianity has tended toward dualism.

2. Green on human nature in the bible - slide 2 Joel Green on human nature in the bible zHebrew Bible yGenesis describes only humans as being in the image of God, but it does not suggest dualism. xThe theme of imago Dei points to the uniqueness of human beings, but this uniqueness is not based on dualism. xIt is located in the capacity of humans to relate to God & other persons.

3. Green on human nature in the bible - slide 3 Joel Green on human nature in the bible yHebrew Bible treats humans as integrated wholes. And it emphasizes that human persons are fully human only through community. “We are, therefore I am.”

4. Green on human nature in the bible - slide 4 Joel Green on human nature in the bible zThe New Testament yIs difficult to sort out because of Hellenic influence. And Hellenic thought was not unified -- dualisms of many kinds (Plato, Aristotle, Epicureanism, Stoicism). yMoreover, late books of the Hebrew Bible show Hellenic influences.

5. Green on human nature in the bible - slide 5 Joel Green on human nature in the bible ySome N.T. passages xMatt. 10: 28 - not about dualism but about afterlife xLuke 8:42-48 - about being saved from isolaton and restored to communal living

6. Green on human nature in the bible - slide 6 Joel Green on human nature in the bible xLuke 16:19-31 -Is the parable about an intermediate state and about a disembodied soul? Green argues it is not. It is about a messenger to the living from the dead & refusal to send one. The characters in Hades act as human agents with a corporeal existence.

7. Green on human nature in the bible - slide 7 Joel Green on human nature in the bible x1 Cor 15:38-58 - Paul’s discussion of resurrection. Notion of resurrection - transformation of bodily existence into some new form at some future time. Is not immortality.

8. Green on human nature in the bible - slide 8 Joel Green on human nature in the bible yGreen’s conclusions xN.T. does not contain dualism. xDoes not contain notion of disembodied soul or escape from the body (Plato). xSalvation consists in relatedness to God & other human persons.