Customer Reviews

The Doctrine of Humanity (Contours of Christian Theology)

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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.

Well, let's see. I originally picked up this book with fascination that a book written after Hoekema's Created in God's Image (One of my all time favorites!) could write a book on Biblical anthropology and not reference Hoekema once in the end notes. And in comparison, this certainly is not nearly as good as Hoekema. With that being said, Sherlock makes some excellent observations on culture and the way we should think about people made in the image of God. He is outstanding in the issue of constantly addressing the effect of sin on mankind- it is our greatest problem, and he is right to spend time on that. He critiques some outside viewpoints well including Marxism, and also critiques prevailing Evangelical problems like excessive individualism and a lack of tithing. The weaknesses are several however. First and foremost, although he seems clear on sin and person of Christ, he never engages on how the gospel is applied to us. Is it by faith and repentance? He references them, but leaves no clarity on whether we must trust Christ to be saved. One could be Barthian (Neo-Orthodox views of Universalism) and read this book and come away without Jesus claims to exclusivity. I understand that this isn't on soteriology but the gospel must be proclaimed in some measure- this is of first importance (I Cor. 15). Second, his egalitarian views of men's and women's roles is an axe that he grinds on at every available chance. While being sensitive to my brothers and sisters who disagree, political correctness when applied to Scripture has never historically ended well and tends to arrive in liberalism. My suggestion: read Hoekema first, it's more in depth theologically but still easy to understand. Read Piper and Grudem on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and then read this book with a discerning eye and keep the good observations that Dr. Sherlock makes.

It is baffling how out of place this book is in this series of otherwise excellent, solid books, not unlike the book on revelation in Berkouwers "Studies in Theology". While not claiming that this book is without some value, and I appreciate his choice of topics, his almost complete failure to discuss sin, human depravity, and the freedom/bondage of the will as specific topics makes this volume no little dissapointment. In light of both the historic importance of the doctrine and the extravigant expressions of depravity and sin in the the last 100 years, it is hard to take this book too seriously when it fails to look at the center of these issues: the human heart. Another complaint is the failure of the author to take a stand for the Biblical priciples regarding the roles of men and women in the family and church (not surprising since, as the preface mentions, his wife is also and ordained minister in the Anglican chucrh). Sadly, it is ALMOST appropriate to retitle this book "The Doctrine of Humanism."

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