For more than a decade developments in science have prompted wide-ranging discussions about human nature. Gone are the days when this subject was the preserve of theologians and philosophers; today the fields of genetics and neuroscience are shifting attention to the "biological basis of human nature. This engaging book takes readers straight to the intersection of religion and science, exploring what new scientific knowledge does and does not say about religious views on personhood.

Written by an international, interdisciplinary team of scholars sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation, "From Cells to Souls -- and Beyond examines such questions as personal identity, the meaning of "human," the mind-body relationship, and subjective spiritual experience. Each topic is discussed against the backdrop of biblical theology with the relevant science made clear. The result is a fresh interpretation of the Christian doctrine of humankind true to both science and Scripture.

Contributors: Diogenes Allen
Warren S. Brown
Gaius Davies
Lindon Eaves
Joel B. Green
Malcolm Jeeves
D. Gareth Jones
David Parkes
C. Michael Steel
Alan J. Torrance
Glenn Weaver
Michael Welker
Philip H. Wiebe

Despite the many well-documented similarities -- genetic, cognitive, behavioral, social -- between our human selves and our evolutionary forebears, a significant gulf remains between us and them. Why is that? How did it come about? And how did we come to be the way we are? This book brings together a diverse group of internationally recognised scholars -- including humanist, atheist, and theist voices -- to explore how and when human personhood emerged. Representing various disciplines, the contributors all offer significant insights into new scientific research about how humans emerged -- research that challenges some traditional views of human nature. In a concluding chapter Malcolm Jeeves stands back and points out key features of the complex picture of human nature that has emerged through this volume. He further identifies points of both harmony and discord and notes questions yet to be tackled. Contributions by Francisco J. Ayala, Justin L. Barrett, Roy F. Baumeister, Warren S. Brown, Richard W. Byrne, Matthew J. Jarvinen, Malcolm Jeeves, Timothy O'Connor, Lynn K. Paul, Colin Renfrew, Ian M. Tattersall, Anthony C. Thiselton, Alan J. Torrance and Adam Zeman.

How do the many exciting recent scientific discoveries in neuroscience, psychology, evolutionary biology, genetics and paleoanthropology challenge and complicate but also enrich and illuminate the traditional Christian portrait of human nature? In Rethinking Human Nature an international team of scientists, historians, philosophers, and theologians presents both the wisdom of the past and the cutting edge of present and developing scientific research to explore answers to this vital question. Their discussions examining our brains, our genes, our ancestors, our societies, and more will help us develop a more nuanced and complete understanding of what it really means to be human. Contributors: Evandro Agazzi, R. J. Berry, Alison S. Brooks, Franco Chiereghin, Felipe Fernandez, Graeme Finlay, Joel Green, Malcolm Jeeves, Jrgen Mittelstrass, David G. Myers, Janet Martin Soskice, Fernando Vidal