Table of Contents

Chapter 1-Introduction: Recentering Theological Anthropology
This chapter frames the book by arguing for the importance of (1) a christological approach to understanding humans, (2) the mind/body question, and (3) Karl Barth's theology as a helpful way of engaging the first two issues.


Chapter 2-From Christology to Anthropology: The Ontological Determination of Humanity in Karl Barth's Theological Anthropology


This chapter surveys Barth's Christological approach to understanding humanity, paying particular attention to the methodological implications of both the continuity and the discontinuity between Jesus and other humans.


Chapter 3-Conversing with the Enemy? The Phenomena of the Human and the Nature of a Christologically Determined Dialogue


The first part of this chapter argues that Barth's 'christocentrism', properly understood' is neither overly constricted (the 'christomonist' criticism) nor indefinitely open (contra certain postmodern readings). Rather, it provides a definite starting point from which one can engage in meaningful conversation with other perspectives. The second half, shows how this plays out in Barth's own conversations with non-theological approaches to understanding humanity.





Chapter 4-Christ, Spirit, and Covenant: A Model for Human Ontology


In this chapter, we consider how Barth applies his Christological insights to understanding the body/soul relationship. Rather than providing a theoretical answer to the question, we see how Barth's approach provides a Christological framework within which any particular ontological theory must function.





Chapter 5-Physicalism, but not Reductionism: Christological Adequacy and Nonreductive Forms of Physicalism


This chapter first explains what it means for a theory of human nature to be committed to both physicalism and nonreduction. Having laid out the basic tenets of such a position, the chapter then provides a critical discussion of three areas in which the Christological adequacy of such theories might be challenged: mental causation, phenomenal consciousness, and personal identity.





Chapter 6-Across the Cartesian Divide: Christological Adequacy and Holistic Forms of Dualism


Like the previous chapter, this one first explains dualism as a theory of human ontology and the more holistic approaches that characterize contemporary dualism. Then we again engage in a critical discussion of their Christological adequacy on three points: mental causation, personal embodiment, and necessary immortality.





Chapter 7-Conclusion: Sharpening Our Christological Vision


Drawing together the conclusions and insights of the various chapters, this chapter argues that understanding the person and work of Jesus Christ clearly has decisive implications for understanding human persons and that more work needs to be done to broaden and clarify the ramifications of this approach.