The Christian Vision Of Humanity

The incredible technical achievements of recent history may make us feel little less than gods," but we also find much that cuts us down. When we face our own limits and failures, upon what or whom can we rely? The biblical "answer" to questions about the ultimate nature and meaning of human life begins with the experience of Semitic slaves led out of Egyptian slavery beautifully recounted in Deuteronomy 26:5-11. The New Testament presents Jesus as the culmination of God's Old Testament promise. Christian faith has a particular Vision of the world and of humanity founded upon the relationship between God and creation. Its key elements are found in the inviolable dignity of every person, the essential centrality of community, and the significance of human action. These are the main themes of a Christian anthropology developed in this book.

The incredible technical achievements of recent history may make us feel little less than gods," but we also find much that cuts us down. When we face our own limits and failures, upon what or whom can we rely? The biblical "answer" to questions about the ultimate nature and meaning of human life begins with the experience of Semitic slaves led out of Egyptian slavery beautifully recounted in Deuteronomy 26:5-11. The New Testament presents Jesus as the culmination of God's Old Testament promise. Christian faith has a particular Vision of the world and of humanity founded upon the relationship between God and creation. Its key elements are found in the inviolable dignity of every person, the essential centrality of community, and the significance of human action. These are the main themes of a Christian anthropology developed in this book.

Inspiring Christians to see people as God sees them and make a difference As Christians, we want to make a difference in this world. We want to have an impact not only on our immediate family and community, but on wider social issues. We want to protect the vulnerable and engage with the issues that really matter. But how? This book shows us how wonderful, liberating and empowering it is to be made in God’s image. It will change how we see ourselves and other people. Some will feel the call to run for office... others will roll up their sleeves and join the good work of non-profit ministry... and others might simply find little ways to incorporate this vision of human dignity into their everyday lives, and change their community one word, one action, one person at a time. Dan Darling shows us that each one of us can be, and are called to be, part of this new movement-a human dignity revolution that our societies desperately need, and how we-you-are uniquely placed to join. This compelling book shows you how to join the dignity revolution.

Hope is essential to human life. Without hope, humanity plunges into despair, and life can lose all purpose and meaning. Hope energizes people and communities, and also produces forbearance and patience. In this clear and accessible survey, which incorporates Asian perspectives, Roland Chia shows how Christian hope presses beyond the limits of both secular and religious world-views and confronts the reality of pain, suffering and death in the light of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is hope for God, and in God.

In this thorough introduction to theological anthropology, Joshua Farris offers an evangelical perspective on the topic. Farris walks the reader through some of the most important issues in traditional approaches to anthropology, such as sexuality, posthumanism, and the image of God. He addresses fundamental questions like, Who am I? and Why do I exist? He also considers the creaturely and divine nature of humans, the body-soul relationship, and the beatific vision.

Debates over race, gender, ethnicity, culture, social status, life-style, and sexual preference cloud our notions of universal "human nature" or "human condition." Charles Sherlock offers a timely and engaging look at what it means to be human—created in the image of God and re-created in the image of Christ.

How does Christianity change the way we view the natural world? In this addition to a critically acclaimed series, renowned theologian Norman Wirzba engages philosophers, environmentalists, and cultural critics to show how the modern concept of nature has been deeply problematic. He explains that understanding the world as creation rather than as nature or the environment makes possible an imagination shaped by practices of responsibility and gratitude, which can help bring healing to our lands and communities. By learning to give thanks for creation as God's gift of life, Christians bear witness to the divine love that is reconciling all things to God. Named a "Best Theology Book of 2015," Englewood Review of Books "Best Example of Theology in Conversation with Urgent Contemporary Concerns" for 2015, Hearts & Minds Bookstore

Reenchanting Humanity is a work of systematic theology that focuses on the doctrine of humanity. Engaging the major anthropological questions of the age, like transgender, homosexuality, technology, and more, author Owen Strachan establishes a Christian anthropology rooted in Biblical truth, in stark contrast to the popular opinions of the modern age.

Despite the growing interest among philosophers and theologians in virtue ethics, its proponents have done little to suggest why Christians in particular find virtue ethics attractive. Joseph J. Kotva, Jr., addresses this question in The Christian Case for Virtue Ethics, showing that virtue theory offers an ethical framework that is highly compatible with Christian morality. Kotva defines virtue ethics and demonstrates its ability to voice Christian convictions about how to live the moral life. He evaluates virtue theory in light of systematic theology and Scripture, arguing that Christian ethics could be profitably linked with neo-Aristotelian virtue ethics. Ecumenical in tone, this book provides a thorough but accessible introduction to recent philosophical accounts of virtue and offers an original, explicitly Christian adaptation of these ideas. It will be of value to students and scholars of philosophy, theology, and religion, as well as to those interested in the debates surrounding virtue ethics.