Being Human: The Nature of Spiritual Experience

Rating:
Summary: A must-read book
Review: Being Human by Ranald Macauley and Jerram Barrs is an essential classic that is finally in re-print after a decade. This is one of the most important books I have ever read on orthodox Biblical Christian living. It is a much-needed antidote to the many destructive spiritual teachings that abound today. If you read any book on Christian spirituality this year, read this book!

Rating:
Summary: A Spirituality Primer -- much needed, at that!
Review: The theme of this book is that understanding the nature of spiritual experience is the key to restoring our true humanness.

For the writers of Scripture, to be human is to be in the image of God. Taking this as their organizing principle, 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 -- like Jesus Christ, the God-Man.

Macauley and Barrs begin by underscoring that the process of sanctification -- of becoming more holy, more like God -- should be seen as a "life-affirming" activity. They then contrast the Biblical framework for understanding the Christian life with two alternatives: the materialistic view and the Platonic view. In doing so, they counter much of the false teaching about spirituality that has become so popular today -- both inside and outside of Christian circles.

The Bottom Line: This book, now back in print due to ongoing demand, presents an integrated model for what human beings really are. It is one of the best books ever written on the topic of spirituality, and deserves a wider audience.

This is a must read.