Theological Anthropology: A Guide for the Perplexed
Overview
What does it mean to be human and to be made in the image of God? What does it mean to be a ‘person?’ What constitutes a human person? What does it mean to affirm that humans are free beings? And, what is gender? Marc Cortez guides the reader through the most challenging issues that face anyone attempting to deal with the subject of theological anthropology. Consequently, it addresses complexities surrounding such questions as: Each chapter explains first both why the question under consideration is important for theological anthropology and why it is also a contentious issue within the field. After this, each chapter surveys and concisely explains the main options that have been generated for resolving that particular question. Finally the author presents to the reader one way of working through the complexity. These closing sections are presented as case studies in how to work through the problems and arrive at a conclusion than as definitive answers. Nonetheless, they offer a convincing way of answering the questions raised by each chapter.
Key Features
- Focuses on Jesus as the ultimate manifestation of humanity
- Explores areas of consensus and debate in the study of humanity
- Addresses contemporary challenges in the field of anthropology
Contents
- Introduction
- The Image of God
- Personhood
- Body/Soul
- Free Will
- Gender
- Conclusion
Top Highlights
“The image in the New Testament is a Christological concept.” (Page 17)
“2. Human persons are part of and yet unique within creation.” (Page 38)
“There are distinct mental realm and physical realms.” (Page 72)
“Without question, the two central issues of theological anthropology traditionally have been understanding the imago Dei and sin.” (Page 10)
“The mental and physical realms are ontologically distinct.” (Page 73)
Praise for the Print Edition
The study of theological anthropology raises notoriously difficult issues. In this very well-informed book, Marc Cortez addresses some of the toughest of these issues, and he does so in a way that is not only clear-headed and insightful but also scrupulously fair and gracious. Without trying to ‘solve’ all difficulties, he lays out the options, evaluates relative strengths and weaknesses, and points the way forward.
—Thomas McCall, Associate Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology
Cortez provides an accessible, broad and penetrating inttroduction to several key ideas in the area of theological anthropology. Continuing the emphasis of the ‘Guides for the Perplexed’ series, Cortez chooses four pillars around which to construct his introduction to what it means to be human: imago dei, sexuality, mind and body and free will.
—Kyle Strobel, University of Aberdeen
Product Details
- Title: Theological Anthropology: A Guide for the Perplexed
- Author: Marc Cortez
- Series: Guides for the Perplexed
- Publisher: T&T Clark
- Publication Date: 2010
- Pages: 176
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Topic: Anthropology
Marc Cortez received his PhD in theology from the University of St Andrews in Scotland and holds a ThM and MA from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is professor of theology at Wheaton College and Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. He previously taught at Western Seminary for seven years, where he served as academic dean and director of the ThM program. Prior to that, he served for nearly ten years as a youth pastor for middle and high school students, and he continues to be involved in various areas of ministry. Dr. Cortez is a leading expert in theological anthropology, and his published works on this topic include ReSourcing Theological Anthropology, Christological Anthropology in Historical Perspective, and Theological Anthropology: A Guide for the Perplexed.