The Doctrine of Humanity (Contours of Christian Theology) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "To be human is to be 'made in the image of God'..." (more)
Key Phrases: religious faculty, corporate sin, New Testament, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

At the end of the twentieth century the forces of race, gender, ethnicity, culture, social status, life-style and sexual preference threaten to disassemble any notion of universal "human nature" or "human condition." In light of this historical moment, the Christian doctrine of human nature is ripe for rethinking and reformulation.Charles Sherlock sees this theological task as demanding a "double focus." To reflect on the subject of human nature, he says, is like "moving around the different areas of an ellipse with two focal points": humans as made in the image of God and the particular realities of human existence. Both must be brought into sharper, more detailed focus in our quest to understand human nature.The result of Sherlock's "double focus" is The Doctrine of Humanity. Sherlock notably engages the communal dimension of humanity in its social, creational and cultural aspects before examining the human person as individual, as male and female, and as whole being. He offers a timely and engaging look at what it means to be human on the continuum between our creation in the divine image and our recreation in the image of Christ.

Product Details

• Paperback: 303 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 083081535X
• ISBN-13: 978-0830815357
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #489,832 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This item is part of The Contours of Christian Philosophy Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick Review, June 13, 2000

By	Reformed Library "Reformed Library" (Vancouver, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Recent discussion of the topic including interaction with contemporary issues. Like the rest of the series, serious consideration is given to the place of practical theology. This is not just an abstract review of theology like so many titles in the past. Any of the books of this series are excellent.

5 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Too much reflection, too few answers., August 26, 1999

By	Mathur Mark "Theologian and amateur philosopher" (Spanga, -- Sweden) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am not neutral in reviewing this book as I was expecting a thorough treatment of the doctrine of Humanity. The book is instead, just like the rest in the series, an attempt to think beyond the already stated dogmas in major Systematic Theologies. He wants to grasp contemporary social issues and give a theological reflection upon them. But even with that in mind, Sherlocks book wasn't too good. It was a lot of abstract reflection, small thoughts here and there, and a few fragments of admonition to the church. He didn't prove his cases. Also he has a habit of stating the case of a paragraph in the second sentence, instead of the first, which confused me all the time.

Mark Mathur Sweden