Fragment av en gammal själ : En konstruktion av Sarah Coakleys själsbegrepp

Sammanfattning: This essay explores the concept of soul in the theology of Sarah Coakley. This is done by analyzing the ideas in Coakleys work descriptively. The notion of soul has been found to have a close connection to two of Coakleys main ideas, those of desire and asceticism. From these ideas I have tried to add a concept of soul to Coakleys theological work.  The notion of the soul has its basis in the material body and its desires. Coakley understands the desires of the body as both sexual desire and desire for God. In her theology desire can be understood as a metaphor for the soul´s longing for God. From the desires of the material body this essay have shown that one can design a concept of soul in Coakleys theology. I argue that you can understand Coakleys theology better theoretically by engaging a concept of soul instead of just focusing on contemplative prayer as a way of reaching God and do academic theology. With a concept of soul in Coakleys theology it can work regardless of confession or religious practice and it makes the academic theology possible without depending on contemplation.