Dualism and Culture: The Body, Mind, and Christian Life
Dualism pervades American culture and shapes our understanding of personhood, work, gender, and religious belief. Whether in discussions about individualism versus community, the mind-body relationship, or the nature of gender, dualistic thinking informs many debates. This article explores various forms of dualism, its historical roots, and theological implications. This article also ultimately advocates for a holistic Christian perspective that integrates both body and soul, a perspective that is urgently needed in our society.
The Presence of Dualism in Society
Dualism, a pervasive force in our cultural and social fabric, manifests itself in numerous debates. One significant area is the discussion of identity and autonomy (Pearcey, 2018). Does individual self-determination define personhood, or is identity realized within the community? Similarly, gender debates question whether biology or social constructs shape masculinity and femininity (Pearcey, 2018). Even in the workplace, dualism emerges in the division between blue-collar and white-collar labor, where intellectual work is often socially valued over physical labor.
A Pew Research poll highlights these cultural values, showing that men are often judged by their professional success and leadership, while women are evaluated based on attractiveness and nurturing qualities (Pew Research Center, 2024). These values are reflected in evangelical spaces, where a woman’s appearance is often emphasized, especially if she is married to a minister (Bowler, 2019). Furthermore, psychological studies suggest that while men value intelligence in women, a highly intelligent woman is often seen as less desirable (Fisman et al., 2006; Lockwood et al., 2004; Park, Young, & Eastwick, 2015; Ratliff & Oishi, 2013). These cultural expectations create a form of dualism in which a woman's mind is undervalued while her body is scrutinized.
Defining Dualism
Dualism, in its broadest sense, divides reality into two distinct and often opposing elements. Within Christian philosophy and theology, dualism typically refers to the relationship between the mind (or soul) and the body. There are several forms of dualism:
Ontological Dualism
Ontological dualism concerns the fundamental nature of reality and is divided into:
Substance Dualism: The idea that the mind controls the body, often linked to Cartesian philosophy.
Predicate Dualism: The belief that mental and physical states require separate descriptions and cannot be fully reduced to one another.
Property Dualism: The notion that humans have both physical and mental properties that are distinct but interrelated.
Interactionist Dualism
This category explores how the mind and body influence each other:
Interactionism: The mind and body causally affect one another.
Epiphenomenalism: The physical body affects the mind, but not vice versa.
Parallelism: The mind and body operate in harmony without direct interaction.
These categories help frame how different traditions understand human nature and its implications for ethics, psychology, and theology.
Dualism in Church History
The Church has wrestled with various forms of dualism throughout history. Some have adopted Gnostic Manichaeism, which portrays the material world as evil and the spiritual realm as good. Others have embraced Materialism, which sees humans as purely physical entities without a separate soul. Emergentism, a modern variation, suggests that the soul emerges as the brain develops but does not exist independently after death.
The biblical tradition, however, does not fully align with any forms of dualism. Scripture affirms that humans are both body and soul, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). Christ’s incarnation and resurrection further emphasize that salvation is holistic, encompassing both physical and spiritual renewal.
What is the Mind? What is the Body?
The mind (or soul) is often understood as the immaterial aspect of human identity, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will. The body, in contrast, is material and subject to physical laws. The challenge lies in understanding their relationship.
Philosophers, like Descartes, believed the soul permeated the entire body, while modern emergent dualists argue that the soul is closely tied to the brain. Psychological studies on trauma and PTSD further illustrate the deep connection between mental and physical well-being, supporting the idea that the soul and body are deeply intertwined.
Scriptural Perspective on the Body and Soul
Genesis 2:7 states, "Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature." This verse highlights the union of body and soul as a single, integrated reality.
However, the Fall introduced a separation between the two. Death, described in Genesis 3:19, means that the body returns to dust while the soul continues to exist. Paul’s writings affirm that believers remain in relationship with Christ even in death (2 Corinthians 5:6-9, Philippians 1:20-24), awaiting bodily resurrection.
Dualism in Christian Living
The greatest commandment, the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), emphasizes an integrated worship of God—heart, soul, and strength. Romans 12:1-2 calls believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, linking spirituality with physical action. Authentic (true) Christian living resists dualistic separations between sacred and secular, emphasizing that all aspects of life fall under God’s sovereignty.
Dualism in Church and Society
Vocation and Calling
Some Christian traditions wrongly prioritize spiritual vocations (e.g., pastors, missionaries) over secular work. However, Abraham Kuyper’s "sphere sovereignty" doctrine argues that all vocations, from homemaking to corporate leadership, have intrinsic value under Christ’s lordship.
Gender and Dualism
Christian teaching has sometimes reinforced gender-based dualism, portraying men as leaders and women as nurturers who respond to men’s leadership with submission. This pattern, rooted in Aristotelian thought, has influenced modern evangelical perspectives (Miller, 2019). Movements like Bill Gothard’s "Umbrella of Protection" further reinforce hierarchical gender structures that limit women’s autonomy (Recovering Grace, 2014).
Women’s ministries often suffer from theological shallowness, focusing on Biblical Feminity or Womanhood rather than intellectual and spiritual formation. Theological training should not be limited to men, as men and women are called to love God with their minds (Matthew 22:37).
Community vs. Individualism
American Christianity often struggles between hyper-individualism and isolated Christian subcultures. The biblical model presents a different vision—one of an interdependent community. Paul’s metaphor of the Church as a body (1 Corinthians 12) underscores the need for unity amid diversity.
Overcoming Dualism: A Holistic Christian Vision
Christians must resist dualistic tendencies that divide mind and body, sacred and secular vocation, or elevate value and dignity, or implicitly elevate one sex over another in an imposed hierarchy. Instead, Scripture calls for holistic worship and community engagement. The Church should cultivate a theological vision that honors both intellectual and physical aspects of discipleship, empowering all believers to serve God fully.
Conclusion
Dualism permeates culture and theology, shaping debates about identity, vocation, and gender. While dualism provides helpful categories for understanding human nature, an overly rigid application distorts biblical truth. Christians should reject unhelpful dichotomies and embrace an integrated view of life, where body and soul, mind and action, are fully engaged in the worship of God. This holistic vision enables believers to live faithfully in all spheres of life, recognizing that all creation is under Christ’s rule.
References
Bowler, K. (2019). The preacher’s wife: The precarious power of evangelical women celebrities. Princeton University Press. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Preachers-Wife-Precarious-Evangelical-Celebrities/dp/0691179611
Fisman, R. J., Iyengar, S. S., Kamenica, E., & Simonson, I. (2006). Gender differences in mate selection: Evidence from a speed dating experiment. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 121(2), 673-697.
Lockwood, P., Jordan, C. H., & Kunda, Z. (2004). Feeling better about doing worse: Social comparisons within romantic relationships. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 87(1), 80-95.
Miller, R. (2019). Beyond authority and submission: Women and men in marriage, church, and society. P&R Publishing.
Park, L. E., Young, A. F., & Eastwick, P. W. (2015). Psychological distance makes the heart grow fonder. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167215599749
Pew Research Center. (2024). Strong men, caring women. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/feature/strong-men-caring-women/
Ratliff, K. A., & Oishi, S. (2013). Gender differences in implicit self-esteem following a romantic partner’s success or failure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 105(4), 688–702.
Recovering Grace. (2014, May). Umbrella of oppression. Retrieved from https://www.recoveringgrace.org/2014/05/umbrella-of-oppression/
Pearcey, N. (2018). Love thy body: Answering hard questions about life and sexuality. Baker Books.