If you look at our world and see all of the injustices and wrongs that are committed against humanity, it won’t take long for you to realise that we need to come back to the truth that humanity is made in the image of God. Christians should loudest voice at the very forefront of every battle arguing for the dignity of humanity because of the glorious truth that we are all made in the image of God.
In a world that constantly tells us that we are the most important person and that we should be our main focus the need for our identity to be grounded in our Creator is very real.
We only need to turn on the news and we can see how little people actually think of human dignity, whether that’s the statistics of murders, abortions or wars, it all indicates that different people are of different worth in the eyes of others.
When I first picked up Daniel Darlings book The Dignity Revolution I thought that it might be an interesting read but not anything that is extremely important, then I started reading…
Darling starts by looking at the biblical truth that, as humans, we are made in the image of God. Whilst every Christian probably subscribes to this truth the implications of it are sometimes lost, look at history and that is definitely the case. Some Christians in the past have argued that slaves and people of other colours are lesser beings and not made in the image of God as much as they are. Terrible injustices have been justified because people lost touch with the biblical teaching of image-bearing.
Maybe you think that this is not such an important topic, but Darling does not shy away from big issues and shows how the need to return to the Bibles teaching on this issue affects things like racism, abortion, human trafficking, sexuality, pornography, justice systems and prisoners, the refugee crisis, euthanasia, end-of-life care, illness, disability, the role of technology. All of these things are an indication of our view of others and as I look at our world, like Darling, I see the need for a monumental change.
This book is written in the context of the United States, but it is just as applicable and insightful for every other country in the world.
One of the biggest questions that I see many people in this world and particularly those of my age asking is what does it mean to be human, in other words who am I and why I am here. This book is very easy to read and has a compelling argument for human dignity, something that we can no longer take for granted. Furthermore, it is also very practical and gives examples of the implication of not having a robust view of human dignity that is founded on the Bible’s teaching on humanity.
Imagine a world where we viewed others as the image bearers that they are and treated them accordingly, our relationships would change, our churches would change and God would be gloried. This book encourages us to stand up for the vulnerable, to be a voice to those who are not being heard and to be an advocate for those in need of our help.
If you want to make a difference in the world, or if you are facing an issue that is difficult and addressed in this book then I highly recommend you read The Dignity Revolution.
Rating 4/5
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