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Humanity
Perhaps no doctrine is more urgent for today’s Christians to study than the doctrine of humanity. Nearly every cultural debate seems to hinge upon one’s theological anthropology and its significance for daily life . Humanity by John Hammett and Katie McCoy is an urgent theological study of the doctrine of humanity. The authors shed light on the philosophical, cultural, and spiritual influences that constantly challenge the dignity of human existence.
Humanity offers a fresh perspective built on four core that humans are divine creations, that our understanding comes from our Creator's intentions, that Scripture reveals these intentions, and that living in accordance with our created nature leads to a truly fulfilling life. Whether you are a student, professor, or layperson interested in this pivotal cultural topic, this is an invaluable resource that will empower you to understand yourself in light of Scripture and engage with the pressing issues of our world today.
Humanity offers a fresh perspective built on four core that humans are divine creations, that our understanding comes from our Creator's intentions, that Scripture reveals these intentions, and that living in accordance with our created nature leads to a truly fulfilling life. Whether you are a student, professor, or layperson interested in this pivotal cultural topic, this is an invaluable resource that will empower you to understand yourself in light of Scripture and engage with the pressing issues of our world today.
448 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 15, 2024
This book provides a helpful introduction to many aspects of theological anthropology. The book is a little too long for some lay readers, so it’s probably best suited for a course taught in a church or collegiate setting.
August 22, 2026
“We human beings are a mystery to ourselves. We are rational and irrational, civilized and savage, capable of deep friendship and murderous hostility, free and in bondage, the pinnacle of creation and its greatest danger.” (Daniel Migliore)
How do we begin to describe humanity? Many conflicting answers have been put forward regarding our nature, our potential, our value, and our place in this universe. To some we are simply biological machines programmed by our genetics. Our free will is a mere illusion. And the appearance of design is a mere sleight of hand that reveals nothing beyond the strange ways of Mother Nature. For some, establishing the sacred rite of self-definition is key to understanding what it means to be human. We each journey to find and shape our own identity untethered from any restraints that might be put upon us by government, religion or culture. But this book's primary purpose is to answer the human question from a more transcendent angle: How does our Creator view us? What is the framework He provides and the verdict He delivers? Hammett and McCoy attempt to address these questions and attempt a 400 page voyage with mixed results. Welcome to Humanity by John Hammett and Katie McCoy.
1) Biblical anthropology clearly presents humans as created, gendered, community-centered, work-oriented, image bearers of their Creator. This is the major framework through which Hammett and McCoy seek to explore their subject. A lot of ink has been spilled on this topic and much of what they say has been said elsewhere. Their approach is not particularly fresh or innovative.
2) Chapter 2 was where the book crashed into a telephone pole. Their handling of the historical Adam and Eve, age of the earth, death before sin was frustrating and predictable. While attempting to summarize the main views on the topic, their "objectivity" fades and they pull out a sofa bed for old-earth creationism to enter the discussion and make itself comfortable. Fazale Rana and C. John Collins are referenced as providing respectability for the OEC position. Their attempts to harmonize science and faith have been thoroughly refuted by young-earth creationists. The love affair that many in Christianity have with Genesis and deep time is nauseating but very prevalent. Sadly, Hammett and McCoy fail to challenge the basic assumptions of OEC and spend most of their time platforming OEC as a reasonable perspective that Christians can endorse. My interest in this book plummeted after this point.
3) The rest of the book has standard discussions on topics like community, work, sin, sanctification, and the soul. But nothing that magnetically drew my attention.
Overall, I am very apathetic about this book. It didn't make me feel wonder or enchantment. The authors might as well have had egg all over their face, spinach in their teeth and their fly unzipped as they wrote. Chapter 2 derailed this train and influenced everything else I read. Not impressed.
How do we begin to describe humanity? Many conflicting answers have been put forward regarding our nature, our potential, our value, and our place in this universe. To some we are simply biological machines programmed by our genetics. Our free will is a mere illusion. And the appearance of design is a mere sleight of hand that reveals nothing beyond the strange ways of Mother Nature. For some, establishing the sacred rite of self-definition is key to understanding what it means to be human. We each journey to find and shape our own identity untethered from any restraints that might be put upon us by government, religion or culture. But this book's primary purpose is to answer the human question from a more transcendent angle: How does our Creator view us? What is the framework He provides and the verdict He delivers? Hammett and McCoy attempt to address these questions and attempt a 400 page voyage with mixed results. Welcome to Humanity by John Hammett and Katie McCoy.
1) Biblical anthropology clearly presents humans as created, gendered, community-centered, work-oriented, image bearers of their Creator. This is the major framework through which Hammett and McCoy seek to explore their subject. A lot of ink has been spilled on this topic and much of what they say has been said elsewhere. Their approach is not particularly fresh or innovative.
2) Chapter 2 was where the book crashed into a telephone pole. Their handling of the historical Adam and Eve, age of the earth, death before sin was frustrating and predictable. While attempting to summarize the main views on the topic, their "objectivity" fades and they pull out a sofa bed for old-earth creationism to enter the discussion and make itself comfortable. Fazale Rana and C. John Collins are referenced as providing respectability for the OEC position. Their attempts to harmonize science and faith have been thoroughly refuted by young-earth creationists. The love affair that many in Christianity have with Genesis and deep time is nauseating but very prevalent. Sadly, Hammett and McCoy fail to challenge the basic assumptions of OEC and spend most of their time platforming OEC as a reasonable perspective that Christians can endorse. My interest in this book plummeted after this point.
3) The rest of the book has standard discussions on topics like community, work, sin, sanctification, and the soul. But nothing that magnetically drew my attention.
Overall, I am very apathetic about this book. It didn't make me feel wonder or enchantment. The authors might as well have had egg all over their face, spinach in their teeth and their fly unzipped as they wrote. Chapter 2 derailed this train and influenced everything else I read. Not impressed.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews