Becoming Fully Human: Living the Bible with God, Each Other and the Environment

Spiritual Life, Fall 2003 by Jordan, Regis

Becoming Fully Human: Living the Bible with God, Each Other and the Environment. By Walter Vogels. Toronto: Novalis, 2003. Pp. 152. Paper. $16.95.

In simple and succinct terms, Becoming Fully Human serves as a Bible primer and as a basic introduction to biblical scholarship. This book is an invitation to claim the unique relevance of the Bible not just as a historical document but as a living, breathing resource to modern life. This book is an ideal tool for those with little or no knowledge of the Bible. Recently, scientific advances along with rapid social changes have thrown into question some of our long-held notions of what constitutes right and wrong.

What was once black and white in the area of morality now constitutes various shades of gray. Answers that we have come to depend on are now often too simplistic. Vogels argues that the Bible contains a certain number of fundamental life principles, attitudes, and deep human values that transcend time and culture. These principles do not provide ready answers to specific questions, but they do point in a certain direction. Each culture, each generation, and even each individual can discover how to apply the basic principles found in the Bible.