A Little Handbook on Having a Soul

by David Hansen

Shot through with lively scenes of pastor-fisherman David Hansen's beloved parishioners and trout streams, this book poignantly reminds a soulless age what it's like to have a soul and inspires in us... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830816798
• ISBN13: 9780830816798
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press
• Length: 178 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Soul, Spirit, Heart, MInd...

What is our soul? Is it synonymous with spirit or are they two different entities? Are we spirits or do we have spirit, and is it our soul or our spirit (or both) that goes to Heaven? These are some very challenging, subjective questions that I often like to philosophize about. This is the reason I picked up David Hansen's book. While I knew this book would be deep reading, I was pleasantly surprised by the intellectual challenge it provided.David Hansen will take you on an in depth journey into the soul, and the common Christian philosophies on exactly what our soul is. Hansen thorougly and reflectively analyzes all views on this topic without forcing his view as being superior. Hansen describes our souls as being empty, and our spirit being what we immerse our souls in, like a sponge. This is the most creative way I have heard this put, and this is just one of many analogies he makes that helps the reader to understand. The question of whether or not we are body, soul and spirit (Trichotomy) or just body and soul (Dualism) is just the tip of the iceberg. Hansen also discusses what the role of the soul is, its function in the context of this world, and the question of the soul being our unique identity. Hansen also discusses at length the concepts of heart and mind, and how these differ from the soul and spirit. This is a must-read for people who want to explore and reflect about the Christian faith and ideas about the soul. It is not the kind of book you pick up and read over a couple of days. It is the kind you reflect on and read a few pages at a time, but I have gained a better understanding of my soul through the pages of this book.