| In What
It Means to Be Human: Living with Others before God, Michelle
Bartel attempts to the answer the question: How as Christians
can we be in the world, but not of the world? Concisely and eloquently,
she helps us see our own humanity and how, as humankind made in
the image of God, we can live more Christ-like in our world. Within
the chapters of the book, Bartel demonstrates how as humankind—not
just as humans—we are greater than the sum of our parts.
How as Christians can we be in the world,
but not of the world?
Bartel starts at the beginning when humankind was created
both by God and in God’s image, as we are told in Gen.
1:26: “And then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in
our image, according to our likeness . . . ’” (NRSV).
She explores what it means to be created in the image of God—not
only physical attributes, but qualities of character exemplified
in acts of kindness, love, charity, and forgiveness. Throughout,
Bartel posits that if we truly strive to be “in the image
of God,” we cannot deny God’s unending love and grace
for us, God’s creations.
Bartel discusses and provides great illustrations of what it
means to be totally free, free for God and for others. She proposes
that conflict and sin can actually bring us closer to God through
submission. Only when we are totally free as humankind can we
begin to understand God’s love. Bartel further theorizes
about what it means to be a mature Christian and the glorious
effect we can have in the world in which we live. It is important
to note that being a mature Christian has nothing to do with
the year in which we were born!
Only when we are totally free
as humankind can we begin
to understand God’s love.
In the end, this study provides examples and explanations of
God’s infinite love for us, why we are here, and God’s
plan for us—as humankind—not just
as humans.
What It Means to Be Human: Living with Others before God
is the adult component of the We Believe curriculum for
the Spring 2004 quarter. A study guide accompanies the book
for group discussion and additional Bible study; together they
provide a brief but complete and readable approach to the Christian
doctrine of humanity. To order What It Means to Be Human:
Living with Others before God, please call (800) 524-2612
and ask for #613700.
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