Making Sense of Man

Vern S. Poythress

Reviewed by: Zachary C. Herbster

Making Sense of Man: Using Biblical Perspectives to Develop a Theology of Humanity, by Vern S. Poythress. P&R, 2024. Hardcover, 784 pages, $49.99. Reviewed by OP pastor Zachary C. Herbster.

What is the greatest challenge of Christian doctrine today? Consider the doctrine of man, or “biblical anthropology.” Confusion about mankind abounds. In a strange twist, we have lost our grip on what is closest to home: ourselves.

Like other works in Dr. Vern Poythress’s voluminous output, Making Sense of Man is even more than a book on biblical anthropology. It is also a book on biblical hermeneutics, that is, the methods of interpreting the Bible. From the beginning, Poythress offers four interpretive methods to understand better the doctrine of man: “presuppositional apologetics, semantics, analogies, and attention to metaphysical frameworks” (20).

In part 1, Poythress raises some difficulties with interpreting Genesis 1–3, particularly the phrase, “image of God.” Does the Bible use this phrase in Genesis 1:26–27 as a technical term? That is, do the words “image of God” contain all there is to say about the concept of male and female persons made in God’s image? Some summarize the “image of God” with things like rationality, relationality, righteousness, or a whole host of ideas. But Poythress argues that man is like God “holistically” (91). This opens many possibilities!

In part 2, “Principles and Framework for Interpretation,” Poythress (with help from Timothy P. Yates) develops “an analogical use of the Ten Commandments.” He calls this interpretive framework the Lex Christi, or “Law of Christ” (129). Instead of one or two ways to understand mankind (for example, as “rational,” or as “body and soul”), Poythress uses all ten of the commandments as analogies to relate God and mankind as made in God’s image. For example, God is supremely contented (tenth commandment). Mankind images God as analogously contented (and so on with every commandment). This Lex Christi framework adapts to examine mankind in any of the “estates” (pre-fall, fallen, redeemed, glorified).

Poythress’s approach offers a multifaceted view of the “image of God” that focuses our attention on the ethical and filial (that is, “sonship”) relations we have with God. Certainly, humanity is like God in “knowledge, righteousness, and holiness” (Shorter Catechism Q. 10; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10). But what about in intimacy (seventh commandment)? Or in dynamism (fourth commandment)? In short, man is like God at every turn. If this is true, then no aspect of our humanity is exempt from the creative and redemptive work of God. The Lord redeems whole persons made like God, not only a “part” or separate “parts” of us.

In the rest of the book, Poythress applies this Lex Christi framework to topics like human nature, body and soul, covenant, free will, and sexuality. The results are intriguing. For example, his analysis of Paul’s description of his potential death in Philippians 1:20–26 gives many perspectives on when we “depart [to] be with Christ” (v. 23). We gain greater intimacy with Christ (seventh commandment) and enter greater rest (fourth commandment) (338). Sometimes assumptions about the “body” and the “soul” as distinct “parts” of us distract from the fact that we go to be with the Lord, even as we await final resurrection. This is mysterious. But Poythress is content with mystery.

In the end, some may not appreciate this contentment. After all, don’t the great creeds and the Westminster Standards assume some of the frameworks Poythress critiques? It seems to me that the author draws out more precious marrow from these time-tested creedal bones. Read Poythress, be refreshed, and then confess Westminster with more pep in your step.