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Pneumatologia: Treatise on the Soul of Man

John Flavel

John Flavel (c. 1630-1691) was a Nonconformist preacher and theologian in England. He was born in Worcestershire and was given a religious education by his father before studying at Oxford. In 1650 he became curate (a kind of assistant pastor), and later rector (head of the parish), of Deptford. In 1656 he was called to the larger parish of Dartmouth, where he served before being deprived of his position by the Uniformity Act of 1662 (for "nonconformity" to the established Church of England). The Oxford "Five Mile Act" in 1665 drove him out of Dartmouth altogether (to Slapton, 5 miles away), though he continued to preach and to care for many in his parish. He returned to Dartmouth in 1671, but was not able to serve in complete safety until the penal laws were repealed by James II in 1687. Throughout his life Flavel preached, ministered and wrote voluminously, striving both for evangelical ideals and church unity.

A fervent discussion of the human soul, based on the detailed exposition of eight passages of scripture.

This fundamental treatise, written in 1698, is clearly the product of years of thoughtful reflection and devotion on that essential aspect of the human being, and of one's self – the soul. In the preface, Flavel laments in many ways both his own, and humanity's, neglect and abuse of the eternal soul which is at the heart of Man's created nature. The treatise itself is divided into eight chapters, each of which provides a detailed exposition of a carefully chosen scripture passage. In this way eight important aspects of the human soul, and anthropological doctrines, are emphasized. Flavel's prayer is that he will more and more fix his mind upon the state of the soul sanctified by God, and that others likewise would follow in the way of salvation.

Theology & Doctrine

Soul of Man