Being Human: The Nature of Spiritual Experience

by Ranald MacAulay, Jerram Barrs

Who is right about what it means to be human? The Greeks envisioned an ideal humanity. Their ethereal sculptures depict a transcendent, spiritual model. But today many scientists view human beings as mere machines. And some believe we will be able to make machines with human-like intelligence in the near future. The biblical view of humanity is different from both of these. For the writers of Scripture, to be human is to be in the image of God. Guided by this view, Ranald Macaulay and Jerram Barrs discuss the nature of spiritual experience. As the pursuit of true spirituality takes us away from sinfulness, it moves us closer to what God intended us to be. When we are truly spiritual, we are fully human. Macauley and Barrs begin by stressing the centrality of Christ. Then they distinguish between self and the sinfulness of self, argue for using our minds in spiritual matters, and illuminate the many ways God guides us. Their chapter on the family discusses the vexed issue of authority. And they conclude with a look at the evidence, judgment, hope, joy and reward of faith. In short, this book, now back in print due to ongoing demand, presents an integrated model for what human beings really are.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Christianity, Anthropology, Spirituality

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Aaron Beane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapters on Platonism were eye opening, I’ve always wondered where the seeds of Gnosticism grew from. All Christians struggle with the desire for deeper spiritual experience, the problem arises with the way in which we go about attaining those experiences. Plato’s two realms (physical, spiritual) offers insight into how the western church has viewed the Christian life, pitting one realm against the other. The authors do a good job of unraveling the dangers of mysticism and displaying the sufficiency and beauty of Christ.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best way to get to know God is by studying the Bible. Often, we humans also attempt to learn more about ourselves by observing and talking with others. We can also discover a great deal about ourselves by reading the Bible as well, because Scripture gives picture after picture of people with all their characteristics and no gloss as we often do. The Bible shows us their very heart. With this background, we can clearly see that God is supremely interested in our hearts and not the facade of our outer man.
The authors take up the topic of living a spiritual life in a physical body and carefully study every facet, citing Scripture along the way. They also look at relevant Ancient Greek philosophies as those writers had much to say about our physical and spiritual beings. At the end of the book is a detailed footnote section and an index.

[Sigitas Rušinskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Viena geriausių ir naudingiausių krikščioniškų knygų, kokią man yra tekę skaityti. Padėjo atsigauti ir grįžti į tiesos kelią 🙂 po "klestėjimo evangelijos" mokymo padarytos žalos. Išsamiai paaiškina neigiamą platonizmo įtaką krikščionybei ir žingsnis po žingsnio atveria tikrojo žmogiškumo ir tikrojo dvasingumo ryšį - tai, ką reiškia BŪTI ŽMOGUMI. 6 žvaigždutės iš 5.

"Ši knyga apie tai, jog tikrasis žmogiškumas gali būti atkurtas tik tuomet, kai suprantame, kas yra dvasinis gyvenimas <...>
Per keletą pastarųjų metų, kalbėdamiesi su atskirais žmonėmis ir grupėmis, patyrėme, kad daugelis jų yra sutrikę ir nežino, ką reiškia gyventi krikščioniškai. Kai kuriuos suluošino žalingas mokymas, kai kurie nusivylė keliskart pradėję neteisingai. Vienus sustabdė netinkamas pasyvumo akcentavimas; jie nebežino, kaip vėl pradėti iš naujo. Kiti krikščioniškąjį tikėjimą laiko nuo savęs per atstumą, nes jame pamatė negatyvią, žmogiškumą neigiančią nuostatą. Dar kiti krito iš superdvasinių aukštumų ir abejoja, ar jiems pavyks vėl pakilti. Tad šią knygą parašėme kaip atsakymą šiems žmonėms - ir krikščionims, ir nekrikščionims. Tačiau norėjome, kad ji būtų naudinga visiems tikintiesiems, jauniems ir seniems, norintiems išsamiau pažinti biblinį mokymą apie krikščioniškąjį gyvenimą."
Ranald Macaulay ir Jerram Barrs.
Ištrauka iš pratarmės. Lietuviškas leidimas - "Būti žmogumi. Dvasinio gyvenimo prigimtis", Nova Vita, Šiauliai, 2000, "Prizmės knyga", vertė Vida Šiukštienė.

[Pauline Mtunda]

This Book with Ranald Macaulay and Jerram Barrs is very useful as it remind us of how we are made. Being created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26) need to be retained. This is possible only when we draw near to God(as in James 4:8). Being "More Human" means as per Authors means "Being more close to God"
It is a MUST read Book

[Ben Lind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great intro to what I consider the “L’Abri view of God.” It is basically orthodox but with a focus on striking down the dualism of Neoplatonism which has crept into the evangelical church (and creates the feeling that humans are completely corrupt and the only thing that matters is evangelism, definitely not things like ecology).

[Barbara Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one book I’m adding to my “Read Annually” list. Best book on foundational Christianity I’ve ever read. Clearly offers the reader a glimpse into what it means to be human in a fallen world and how to grow biblically, spiritually, and realistically as a Christian.

[Kyle H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christian view on humanity and the spiritual experience. There's more than a few gems in this one.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book on spirituality in the Schaeferrian tradition. Good counterpoint to some popular visions of the Christian's spiritual life such as Watchman Nee, or perhaps even elements of the Dallas Willards and Richard Fosters.

[Warren B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is an approachable and mindful look at the Christian worldview for the layman. It doesn't shy away from the hard philosophical and social questions, and the parts that speak of "biblical human significance" are especially insightful.

[April Cardinal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this while I was at L'Abri. It was a nice reminder that I'm quite human even within my imperfections.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not difficult to read, but fairly insightful, good for the genre of Christian worldview stuff. Some parts are outdated, but not so many it is a huge distraction.

[Dr. Jeffrey Kran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, handles the false neo-Platonism which still plagues the Church. Good and vital sections on Human Responsibility and Divine Sovereignty, as well as Spiritual gifts.

[Rachel Birks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of basic Christianity and what it is to be human.