The word 'spirituality' is notoriously difficult to define or tie down. It is often used in a relatively vague way to refer to the inner relationship between one's 'spirit' or 'soul' and God. The implication is that people only relate to God with their 'inner' being (the soul/spirit) and not with any other part of who they are. There is a lurking influence of Neo-Platonism within Christian thinking that tends to assume that the material is bad and the spiritual good; that there is a gaping hole between our inner and our outer selves and that the proper location of devotion is our inner being. There is a further assumption that, especially in the writings of Paul, the soul/spirit is to be placed in the 'good' category while opposite it, in the 'bad' category, is the body/flesh – leaving the question of what is meant by heart and mind largely ignored. Paula Gooder explores what these six key concepts mean in the Bible, especially in the writings of Paul, before moving on to explore what Paul intended by the contrasts he drew, and what implications this all has for the way we think and speak about our spirituality today

Paula Gooder

CoverImage

Praise

Praise 1

Title Page

Copyright

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

1 The imprisoned soul?

2 Keeping body and soul together

3 The resurrection body

4 A spiritual body?

5 The life-giving Spirit

6 The ‘me’ that is ‘me’

7 Beautiful bodies?

8 The body of Christ

Epilogue:  .  .  .  so what?

Notes

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The word ‘spirituality’ is notoriously difficult to define or tie down. It is often used in a relatively vague way to refer to the inner relationship between one’s ‘spirit’ or ‘soul’ and God. The implication is that people only relate to God with their ‘inner’ being (the soul/spirit) and not with any other part of who they are.

 There is a lurking influence of Neo-Platonism within Christian thinking that tends to assume that the material is bad and the spiritual good; that there is a gaping hole between our inner and our outer selves and that the proper location of devotion is our inner being. There is a further assumption that, especially in the writings of Paul, the soul/spirit is to be placed in the ‘good’ category while opposite it, in the ‘bad’ category, is the body/flesh – leaving the question of what is meant by heart and mind largely ignored.

 Paula Gooder explores what these six key concepts mean in the Bible, especially in the writings of Paul, before moving on to explore what Paul intended by the contrasts he drew, and what implications this all has for the way we think and speak about our spirituality today

A book for all who seek to understand what it means, in biblical terms, to embody the spirit of Christ in the world today.

The word 'spirituality' is notoriously difficult to define or tie down. It is often used in a relatively vague way to refer to the inner relationship between one's 'spirit' or 'soul' and God. The implication is that people only relate to God with their 'inner' being (the soul/spirit) and not with any other part of who they are.There is a lurking influence of Neo-Platonism within Christian thinking that tends to assume that the material is bad and the spiritual good; that there is a gaping hole between our inner and our outer selves and that the proper location of devotion is our inner being. There is a further assumption that, especially in the writings of Paul, the soul/spirit is to be placed in the 'good' category while opposite it, in the 'bad' category, is the body/flesh - leaving the question of what is meant by heart and mind largely ignored.Paula Gooder explores what these six key concepts mean in the Bible, especially in the writings of Paul, before moving on to explore what Paul intended by the contrasts he drew, and what implications this all has for the way we think and speak about our spirituality today.

Paula Gooder is Theologian in Residence for the Bible Society, and Canon Theologian of Birmingham and Guildford Cathedrals.

The Body and the Spirit, though, roughly speaking, being in the same place they are almost always separated from each other in Christian thought.

The body is painted as something bad, frail, coarsely corporeal and ruled by "the flesh" (which is always pronounced with parental disdain, as if it were a bad influence on an otherwise good child). Whereas the Spirit is pure, lofty, and Good, and that you can only really connect with God with what is inside.

But is it fair to separate 'Spirituality' from the Body?

Following up 'Heaven', her bestselling and highly praised look at how we see heaven and how the Bible depicts it, Paula Gooder explores key Biblical concepts of the Body before moving on to examine what Paul taught in the New Testament. That actually we need to take a different look at what is meant by the Body.

With careful scholarship, thoughtful reflection on Biblical passages, and an stylistic approach like that of 'Heaven', which The Times Literary Supplement called "a fine example of careful biblical scholarship made accessible and exciting", Body isn't just a book for the brain.

Neither is it a book to feed the Spirit.

It's a book for the person.

The whole person.

Best-selling theologian Paula Gooder continues her eloquent run of books which bring a new life to Biblical Studies.

\["Want to better understand the relationship between body and spirit?","With her signature style, Paula Gooder explores key Biblical concepts of the Body","A deep and essential read enriched by the teachings of Paul"\]

Michael Warren

There are several really helpful and though-provoking ideas, but you have to wade through ancient history before you get there. Perhaps this is needed for some readers. Nevertheless, it's good to see a well-read author highlighting the need for a biblical whole-person, body-soul, understanding of ourselves. One of the helpful sections is on treating our bodies as precious gifts from God, and how, by expressing our thanks for our bodies, we can develop a healthier attitude towards them, accepting who we are rather than aspiring to be someone different (whilst acknowledging that this is v. hard for some to do).

Not sure it quite 'does what it says on the tin'

Body

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