Being Human

The Nature of Spiritual Experience

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.