What is the meaning of life in the context of religious belief systems? In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, this question is addressed from a multiplicity of perspectives. The concept of "life" as understood in the respective traditions goes beyond the explanatory frameworks of classical philosophy and natural sciences. The three religions converge on a response that integrates biological, ethical, and cosmological considerations. In the context of monotheistic thought, the concept of the soul plays an integral role in the understanding of life. The volume encompasses traditional perspectives on life, as well as the tension between modern scientific and theological conceptions.