What Makes Us Human?: And Other Questions About God, Jesus and Human Identity: Questions Christians Ask

Questions Christians Ask

by Mark Meynell

What exactly are we? The modern world has many answers to that question, each of which has consequences for the choices we make about our own lives and the lives of others. In this short, simple book, Mark Meynell wants to help confused Christians understand what God has said about these questions in the scriptures and offers a positive and liberating way forward as we discover what true humanity really is.

Genres: Christian, Theology

Audible Audio

First published June 18, 2015

About the author

Mark Meynell is Director (Europe & Caribbean) for Langham Preaching (a programme of Langham Partnership). Prior to this, he was a part-time Whitehall Chaplain (for HM Treasury, HMRC & the Cabinet Office) and was for 9 years on the senior ministry team of All Souls Langham Place. He taught biblical studies at a small seminary in Kampala, Uganda between 2001-2005 after doing student ministry in Sheffield and Oxford churches.
He’s crazy about music (from Bach to Bono), art (from Raphael to Rothko), fiction (esp John le Carré & Graham Greene) and movies (from The Third Man to Grand Budapest Hotel). He has even allowed his son to convince him to join him as a Sheffield Wednesday supporter.

Reviews

[Jc Herring · Rating 4 out of 5]

short overview of what it means to be human (obviosuly). favorite quote

“the definition of worship is the acknowledgment of someone’s worth… God is INFINITELY worthy… therefor there should be no limits to our worship”

[Caleb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review.

The latest in the Questions Christians Ask series, Mark Meynell sketches out a solid introduction to basic Christian beliefs about humanity. Its brevity is both it's biggest strength and weakness. It is accessible and easily digested in an hour or two. It's probably most helpful for younger or newer Christians - more established Christians might find it a bit basic, and it assumes a lot that a non-Christian might want to argue.

It's weakness is that the Questions Christians Ask format works best with a clear and specific question, but "what makes us human?" is such a massive and broad topic. The book touches on big questions such as gender and sanctity of life without room to develop the implications. Some suggestions for further reading might have helped, especially since a book of this length can't be much more than an introduction to larger topics.

But given the limitations of tackling such a big question in such a short read, if you're looking for a pithy summary of the Bible's teaching on what it means to be human, this is a good and helpful book.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accessible and brief introduction to Biblical anthropology, suitable for younger-in-the-faith Christians.

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book addresses questions related to the human condition. What makes us human? What make us different from animals? When does life begin and end? What about issues like abortion and euthanasia? This book is a general overview, but out of all the books I've read in the series so far it was my least favourite (even though I was super excited for this one and thought I'd like it best). I found it a tad repetitive - saying the exact same things over and over again in different ways, and also was more philosophical than practical. But there were some interesting points as far as evolution and the meaning of life was concerned. Probably more for younger and newer Christians, but a good reminder for anyone.

[Mark Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short accessible work has lots of helpful truth packed into it. However, the reason I'm only giving it 3 star, and would be reluctant to recommend it, is because it didn't handle the crucial aspect of what it means to be created in the image of God well at all. This central Christian doctrine distinguishes mankind from everything else in God's creation and is foundational to what makes human life so precious.

[Tim Sandell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, helpful overview.

[Shaun M. Hewlett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say it's more of a 3.5 star

[James Brixey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good entry level book, easy

[Adam Bloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid book from this series. As good or better than other books I've read on similar topics.

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t quite know what to expect at first. Turned out to be a well written mix of sound theology and profound philosophy.

[Mark A Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meynell asks the question: What makes us human? This entry in the “Questions Christians Ask” series does an adequate job of answering the question at hand, but little more. Meynell is a serviceable author and, to his credit, does write with a conversational tone…however it’s in the vein of being talked to rather than talked with. Halfway through this series, there have been stellar entries and subpar ones, too. Meynell’s effort falls squarely in the middle.

[Ian Rees · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good summary of an important subject.