Soma in Biblical Theology
With Emphasis on Pauline Anthropology

Argues that the Greek word soma should be read as the individual physical body rather than man as an indivisible whole.

Robert H. Gundry (Author)

9780521018708, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 22 August 2005

280 pages
21.7 x 14 x 1.4 cm, 0.366 kg

This addition to the well-known series of theological monographs deals with the use of the Greek work traditionally translated 'body' but recently as 'person', especially in certain parts of the writings of Paul. Theologians have argued that the translation as 'person' defines man as an indivisible whole and as a complex of relationships rather than an organization of substances. Against the trends of modern biblical theology, Dr Gundry seeks to show that soma always refers to the individual physical body and that it should be defined in substantive categories. Consequently, the theological importance of the body as individual physical substance is insured for life in this world and in the next. Neither antagonism between body and spirit nor the possible independence of full personhood from physical existence characterizes biblical anthropology.

Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Part I. For and Against a Holistic Definition of Soma: 1. Soma as the whole person: the rise of a definition
2. Soma in extra-Biblical literature
3. Soma in the LXX
4. Soma in the NT outside Pauline literature
5. The alternation of soma with personal pronouns in Pauline literature
6. Soma elsewere in Pauline literature
7. Soma in I Cor 6: 12-20
Part II. Soma in the Framework of Anthropological Duality: 8. Anthropological duality and classical Greek thought
9. Anthropological duality in the Judaism of NT times
10. Anthropological duality in the NT outside Pauline literature
11. Anthropological duality in the OT
12. Anthropological duality in Pauline literature
Part III. The Theology of Soma as Physical Body: 13. The soma in death and resurrection
14. Soma and the being of man
15. Soma, sin, and salvation
16. Soma, individuality, and solidarity
17. Soma and the Church as the Body of Christ
Select bibliography
Index of passages cited
Index of authors.

Subject Areas: Religion: general [HRA]