The majority of Christians rightly understand Jesus as the Son of God but often also overlook Jesus as the Son of Man. In his helpful new book The Man Christ Jesus Theological Reflections on the Humanity of Jesus Christ Dr. Bruce Ware, a seasoned theologian and Bible teacher takes us to the biblical text, where we meet a profoundly human Jesus who faced many of the same difficulties and limitations we experience today. As he does this, he examines the significance of Christ’s humanity and helps us learn, by the power of the Spirit, to follow in Jesus’s steps.
Dr. Ware’s goal in his book is to help Christians understand from Scripture that “the human life of Jesus is real and to show how important it is that he lived our life in order to die our death and be forever “the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 2:5) who intercedes for us and reigns over us” (12). Dr. Ware’s aim is not to present a full view of Jesus’ work but rather to focus specifically on the humanity of Jesus Christ. Dr. Ware is right in my estimation that “evangelicals understand better Christ’s deity than they do his humanity” (13).
One of the best parts of this book (and there are many) is that while the author writes through the prism of a biblical-theological framework—his examination is not only biblical, but also practical. In every chapter the author walks through a portion of the humanity of Christ and then applies what he is teaching to the daily life of the Christian. At the end of each chapter, the author also offers discussion questions which makes this book not only great for individual study, but also for one on one discipleship or for a small group Bible study.
The Man Christ Jesus: Theological Reflections On the Humanity of Christ is a very helpful and through examination on the humanity of Jesus Christ that will help Christians to understand from Scripture, the humanity of Jesus. This book’s powerful truth is that the incarnation of Jesus Christ really matters because Jesus was fully God and fully man. Jesus experienced all the heart-ache we experience, and yet did not doubt God, become self-sufficient, or self-righteous but rather trusted God and the resources He supplies through the promises of His Word. This book would be a great resource for any Christian wanting to know more about the humanity of Christ. This simple, readable, and accessible book will aid in our understanding of and love for the man Christ Jesus.
Title: The Man Christ Jesus: Theological Reflections on the Humanity of Christ
Author: Bruce Ware
Publisher: Crossway (2012)
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Crossway book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
