Man's Humanity, Christ's Manhood by David Weir
The two fundamental subjects stated in the title are ever relevant. They need to be constantly taught to all generations of believers. David Weir writes in a clear and concise manner, making this book accessible to a broad audience, helping saints to understand these foundational truths of our faith and why they matter.
In his Introduction, brother Weir gives the essence of what the book is about, and then helpfully lists the “several key outcomes” at which the two parts of the book aim. The book is comprised of twelve chapters, evenly divided on the two subjects, with a total of 136 pages.
The Table of Contents immediately outlines the author’s approach, and in the first chapter entitled The Makeup of Man, he lays the basis from three Scriptures (1 Thess 5.23, Gen 1.26-27, 2.7, and Heb 4.12).
He writes: “Since God is tripartite (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), man is also triune in his makeup (spirit, soul, and body). This is the sense in which he was made in the image of God… The great desire of God in creating man was that he would not only be like Him in image, but also be the expression of His nature and character in daily living” (page 13).
This is the premise on which the book moves forward. Our brother points out that, although God’s purpose was marred by sin, it is now fulfilled in the believer, through whom “the very life of Christ is manifested” (page 13) with ultimate likeness to His person and conformity to His image at His coming. He reminds us, based on Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12, that “the principal means which God uses to do His work in man is His Word” (page 14).
After defining the nature of man as to his spirit, soul and body, as well as his heart, subsequent chapters consider these in relevant detail, beginning with The Heart of Man. In the Introduction, the author stated the essential connection between the heart and the other three parts of man. Thus, having discussed the heart relevant to our thoughts, desires and conscience, he expands on its central importance since “everything begins with the response of the heart” (page 22).
Each of the chapters in the second part of the book correspond to the chapters in the first. Chapter seven answers to chapter one, only now the subject is about the “the perfect and holy manhood” of Him who “was fully God and fully man” (page 81). This chapter is entitled Christ as Man – His Full Humanity, with chapter eight considering Christ as Man – His Heart and so on. Chapter six, which concludes the chapters dealing with man, considers Man in Death and Resurrection while the final chapter, chapter twelve, brings the book to a fitting conclusion by considering Christ in Death and Resurrection.
The author cites no other works or authors beyond the Bible, and the reader will certainly need a Bible to hand for looking up the many Scripture references given, but not quoted.
In conclusion, regardless of whether or not you agree with our brother on every point of interpretation, those who read this book will certainly benefit from his helpful explanations, practical lessons and devotional insights.
