Being Human: Bodies, Minds, Persons

I took my time getting into this book. There was a lot of back and forth. Not because it was bad at all, but because it was Rowan Williams. Dense thought provoking prose, but at the end of the day a refreshing reminder of some of life’s simplest truths about who we are as human beings.

These words are worth pausing over, reflecting upon, and discussing with others. Williams invites us to conversations and prayers with pointed questions about faith and life. At the same time, he draws upon a rich well of wise voices from across time and cultures.

Simply beautiful. Simple and profound. What a gift Rowan Williams is. He reminds us that we are fully seen. Fully known. And fully beloved by God, in all of our humanness.

"Being Human" offers an interpretation of human existence from a Christian perspective. The book is a blend of philosophy, theology, and acute observation; the thinking is rigorous but also humble and undogmatic. The writing might strike some readers as a bit convoluted, but I'd describe it as aphoristic and poetic: the book demands to be read slowly and more the once, as if it were inviting readers to meditate on their own lives. It's superb.

Blending the philosophical and theological, Williams presents his readers with a great summary on what it means to be human and the relationship that exists even within our “selves.” The challenge comes in the final chapter with an invitation to embrace silence; in doing so following in the way of Jesus.

As I was following the Aussie bushfire crisis I finished this book which I’d been reading for a while now. At the same time, (related to the fires) a quote from Toni Morrison about anger comes to mind. ‘Rage has limited uses and serious flaws. It cuts off reason and displaces constructive action with mindless theater.’ Williams, though, theologises that as the story of Christ presents the meeting of humanity with God, it offers a way for people to be MORE open and vulnerable to the range of human experiences, rather than needing sheltering from the rough truth of the world. Thus, rather than ‘shrugging our shoulders and saying, “Well, that’s human nature”, we feel the edge, the ache in human anger and human suffering’. This is well worth mulling over, included is much helpful philosophy and ideas relevant to our everyday.

Full of great ponderings. Full of well crafted thoughts pointing to profound truths. And short - not seeking or succumbing to the temptation to pontificate and waste words!

I've read two books of his this weekend! The other one was 'What is Christianity'. He is a great intellect and erudite in his learning and understanding understanding of Christian theological philosophy and judging by what I've read here a very spiritual, decent, thoughtful, caring and mature human being. I am in no sense of the Anglican persuasion and if I'm honest see them as the Tory party at prayer (not an attractive proposition for me). I also am horrified, if I'm honest that certain Neoliberalist Anglicans can consider themselves Christians with the policies they devise and implement based on in my opinion: selfishness, benefiting the richest and marginalising the most disenfranchised in our society. He is clearly not of this persuasion, yet still a devout Anglican. His views on personhood and his critiques of the secular and reductivist view of consciousness are fascinating and thought provoking and unlike many of his colleagues he still holds orthodox beliefs and has not descended into an agnostic Christian humanism and can argue his corner well. This is a very good book and thought provoking. Highly recommended for spiritual seekers of whatever persuasion or none.

This is not the most deeply philosophical book I have read and it does not provide all the answers.However, its style and its scope challenges our normal thinking in a way that sparks thoughts and discussion. I used it in a book group and found the group members provoked by the book to think outside the box of our capitalist-scientist culture. A very good book to produce discussion.