FROM THE EDITOR

MIND-BODY CONNECTION

The Spring 2010 edition of CTR is devoted in its entirety to exploring the mind-body connection. To this end we have invited scholars from the disciplines of theology and psychology to address the issue.

Mind-body research is an exciting field of inquiry. Neuroscientists are beginning to prove quantitatively the amazing power of the human brain to accomplish tasks hitherto unthinkable. Now biblical scholars are beginning to ask what relationship exists between soul (mind, spirit, personality) and brain. Our authors address this question from different perspectives.

Joel Green, Associate Dean for the Center for Advanced Theological Studies and Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Fuller Theological Seminary (CA) pens our lead article. Green argues that a dualistic view of the human person (body and soul) is inconsistent with both science and Scripture. His book, Body, Soul, and Human Life: The Nature of Humanity in the Bible (Baker, 2008), which deals in-depth with this subject, has caused quite a stir among biblical scholars, even to the point that an entire section, including a panel discussion, at the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) annual convention was devoted to assess Green’s thesis. In this article Green presents his case for human monism, offering case studies and Scripture exegesis to support his position.

Scott Smith, Associate Professor of Ethics and Christian Apologetics at Biola University (CA), writes our second article, “Joel Green’s Anthro-pological Monism: Biblical, Theological, and Philosophical Considerations,” in which he challenges Green’s presuppositions, methodology, definitions and conclusions. Smith makes a case for a traditional anthropological dualism (body and soul), and points out that if personhood is inextricably bound up with our physicality, as Green suggests, then it was so in Jesus’ case.  Thus, when his body died, Jesus the human person also died, i.e. ceased to exist. Smith finds such conclusions troubling.

Our third entry comes from the creative pen of Rod Sadler, Associate Professor of Bible at Union Presbyterian Seminary (Charlotte, NC campus), who offers a witty, yet critical article-length review of Joel Green’s book Body, Soul, and Human Life. For those who have not yet read the book, this is an excellent overview and evaluation, which might whet your appetite to purchase and read it in its entirety.

The editor of CTR conducts a fascinating interview with Gary Elkins, Professor of Psychology and Director of Clinical Training at Baylor University (TX). Elkins is a mind-body specialist who is on the cutting edge of scientific research in the field. He has studied extensively mind-body interventions, and particularly the therapeutic use of hypnosis to treat various physical illnesses. He has also conducted scientific investigations into the efficacy of prayer on those recovering from a hospital stay. The National Institutes of Health recently awarded him a $2.6 million grant to continue with his research.

John Court, a retired professor at the School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary (CA), and author of the book Hypnosis, Healing and the Christian (Wipf and Stock, 2002), now retired to Australia, analyzes the legitimacy of hypnosis as a therapeutic tool for Christians. He addresses both the positive and negative sides of this controversial mind-body modality. While recommending its use as an adjunct to other treatments, he warns of its potential danger in the hands of untrained practitioners.

Lee Pelletier, President of the Clergy Special Interest Group of the National Guild of Hypnotists, shares with CTR readers the preliminary results of his ongoing survey on clergy attitudes toward hypnosis. What do most ministers believe about hypnosis? Do they associate it with the occult and demon possession? Would they recommend hypnosis to a church member who wishes to quit smoking? How many have consulted a hypnotist themselves? You may be surprised by the answers. These findings provide insights into where clergy get their information and how they form their opinions about hypnosis.

We close out the journal with 30 pages of book reviews of some titles that have come recently off the presses. We hope these reviews help you as you seek to spend your money wisely on book purchases.

Yours for Christ and the kingdom,

R. Alan Streett, Ph.D.

Editor

CTRCoverSP2010 _1_

“‘Even We Have Believed’: Galatians 2:15-16 Revisited”
-Don Garlington

“Acts 2 and the Old Testament: The Pentecost Event in Light of Sinai, Babel and the Table of Nations”
-Jud Davis

“The Covenant in the Book of Job”
-Max Rogland

“Qumran and the Messianic Hope”
-Lamar E. Cooper, Sr.

“Speech-Act Theory as a Corollary for Describing the Communicative Dynamics of Biblical Revelation: Some Recommendations and Reservations”
-Everett Berry

Book Reviews

Index of Book Reviews

“A Biblical Perspective on Interracial Marriage”
-J. Daniel Hays

“Interethnic Marriages in the New Testament (Matt 1:3-6; Acts7:29; 16:1-3; cf. 1 Cor. 7:14)”
-Craig Keener

“The Curse of Ham”
-Edwin M. Yamauchi

“Interracial Marriage and Emergent Truth”
-Russell D. Moore

“Statement About Race at Bob Jones University”

“Unequally Yoked by Race or by Faith”
-George Yancey

“An Interview with Rodney Woo”
-R. Alan Streett

Book Reviews

Index of Book Reviews

” The Rule of Decorum: How Sex and Religion Became Public Issues in America “
- Barry Hankins

“The Kingdom as a Political-Spiritual Revolution”

- Gregory A. Boyd

” Thinking Biblically About Politics “
- Ronald J. Sider

“Why War is a Moral Necessity for America or How Realistic Is Realism?”
- Stanley Hauerwas

” Who Will Reclaim the Religious Right—Conservative Christians Or Christian Conservatives? “

- Russell D. Moore

” Paul’s Purification Rite: Compromise or Cultural Sensitivity? “

- Steven Cox

Book Reviews

Index of Book Reviews

“‘They Have No Wine:’ Wet/Dry Baptists and the Alcohol Issues”
-Bill J. Leonard

“The Christian and Alcohol”
-Richard Land and Barrett Duke

“The Bible and the Question of Alcoholic Beverages”
-Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr.

“Women’s Christian Temperance Union”
-Sarah F. Ward

“The Famous ‘Booze’ Sermon”
-William “Billy” Sunday

Book Reviews

Index of Book Reviews

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Website-only Articles:

“To Drink or Not To Drink: A Sober Look at the Question”
-Norman Geisler

Additional Book Reviews

“The Complementary Relationship Between Proverbs and Moses’ Law”
-David L. Brooks

“As It Was In the Days of Noah: The Prophets’ Typological Interpretation Of Noah’s Flood”
-Daniel R. Streett

“How the Post-Apostolic Church Responded to Government: Gleaning Public Do’s and Don’ts from the Second-Century Apologists”
-C. Everett Berry

“Inerrancy Is Not Enough: A Proposal to Amend the Doctrinal Basis of The Evangelical Theological Society”
-Denny R. Burk, Jr. and Ray Van Neste

“Jonathan Edwards, Beauty, and Apologetics”
-Joseph D. Wooddell

“Sing Unto the Lord a New Song: An Examination of the Top 20 Contemporary Songs”
-Paul Jacobs

Book Reviews

Index of Book Reviews

“Between Pacifism and Crusade: Just-War Moral Reasoning as Consensual Christian Thinking about War and Peace and the Use of Force”
- J. Daryl Charles

“Human Rights, Genocide, and National Sovereignty: Just War Theory—Help or Hindrance?”
- Richard Land

“Is Just War Still An Oxymoron?”
- Timothy Paul Erdel

“Sacrificing the Sacrifices of War”
- Stanley Hauerwas

“War and Peace in Christian Hymnody”
- David W. Music

Book Reviews

Index of Book Reviews

Interview with Tom Hatley, Former Chair, International Mission Board of Trustees (Southern Baptist Convention)
- by R. Alan Streett
[see response from Wade Burleson]

“A History of Influence: The Charismatic Movement and the SBC”
- by Edward Watson

“Confessions of a Post-Pentecostal Believer in the Charismatic Gifts”
- by Roger E. Olson

“Tongues as the Initial Evidence of Baptism in the Holy Spirit–A Pentecostal Perspective”
- by Paul G. Chappell

“The Incompatibility of a Christian Perspective and Sign Gifts”
- by Barry K. Creamer

“The Heart of a Baptist”
- by Malcolm B. Yarnell, III

An Interview with Brian McLaren
– by R. Alan Streett

“Narrating the World Once Again: A Case for an Ancient–Future Faith”
– by Robert Webber

“An Ecclesiological Assessment of the Emergent Church”
– by John S. Hammett

“Mountain or Molehill? The Question of Truth and the Emerging Church”
– by David Mills

“Some Suggestions for Brian McLaren (and his Critics)”
– by R. Scott Smith

“A Pastoral Perspective on the Emergent Church”
– by Mark Driscoll

“A Selective Bibliography of the Emergent Church Movement”
– by Andrew D. Streett

“Images of Hell in the Tours of Hell: Are They True?”
-Eldon Woodcock

“Man in the Image of God: A Reappraisal.”
-R. Larry Overstreet

“Highlighting the Link between the Millennium and Replacement Thought: Augustinian Nonchiliasm as a Test Case.”
-C. Everett Berry

“John 20:22—Help from Dry Bones?”
-John Pretlove