On Human Being: Spiritual Anthropology

by Olivier Clément

When the author of the widely-acclaimed Roots of Christian Mysticism thinks about human nature, its challenges, problems, joys and fulfillment, he does so with originality. At the same time, his thought is rooted in the experience of the early Christian centuries. The result is a book that sees humanity in fundamentally spiritual terms. Clement begins by exploring a response to the dysfunctional aspects of nature, and then looks at how we are persons made in the image of the divine and in communion with one another; in the light of what emerges, the author discovers fresh understandings of sexuality, politics, the role of humanity in the cosmos and the power of beauty; his discussion ends with facing our society's unmentionable death. Here is a fine book for all explorers into the deeper meaning of what it is to be human.

Genres: Christianity, Theology, Anthropology, Religion, Spirituality, Christian

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Olivier Clément was a French theologian and convert to Orthodox Christianity who taught at St. Sergius Institute in Paris.

He was born in 1921 in the south of France. In his youth he was a non-believer. As he grew to maturity, he became influenced by a number of Orthodox theologians in France, notably Vladimir Lossky and Nicholas Berdiaev, eventually receiving baptism at the hands of Fr Evgraph Kovalesvky, later Bishop Jean-Nectaire of Saint-Denis.

Although a committed school teacher, Clément was most devoted to his work at the St Sergius Institute and to his writing. His work was wide-ranging — from poetry to literary criticism, philosophy to theology, and extended to book-length interviews with figures such as Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and one of his successors, Bartholomew.

The most widely distributed of Clément's many books was perhaps his introductory work on the Orthodox Church in the popular Que sais-je? series, first published in 1961 and now in its seventh edition.

Clément also enjoyed friendship and entered into dialogues on major spiritual themes with a number of imminent personalities including Patriarch Athenagoras, Pope John Paul II, the priest and theologian Dumitru Staniloae, and the brother Roger of Taizé.

Modest, kindly and balanced, and supported faithfully by his wife Monique, Clément worked selflessly to unite Christians of different backgrounds, to unite France’s various Orthodox communities, and to inspire readers and listeners with a love of the Orthodox tradition which, he believed, would enrich the whole Church.

Reviews

[Jodi Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 4.5 stars is more a reflection of my own limitations rather than any defect in the book. I truly loved the parts I could follow (happily a good amount). The chapter on the Third Beauty was, unfortunately, in large part "too great for me." A joyous and thought-provoking book -- highly recommended!

[Manuel Taboada · Rating 3 out of 5]

Acabo de terminar este libro en su traducción al castellano (Sobre El Hombre, Editorial Encuentro). Se trata de un conjunto de reflexiones antropológicas y teológicas llevadas a cabo por un cristiano ortodoxo. Tiene partes muy hermosas y estimulantes junto a otras un poco oscuras y más difíciles de interpretar, y el conjunto es recomendable. Exceptuando el tema del matrimonio de los sacerdotes, no hay en él apología de la Iglesia Ortodoxa frente a la católica, más bien al contrario, sirviendo la mayoría de los comentarios para cristianos de ambas Iglesias.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Th best Orthodox anthropology book I have ever read. Clément considers the question from all points of view. Lots of deep wisdom there.
Planning to do a blog post, especially to share some of my favorite passages.

[Edel Irén · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fin bok som reflekterar ortodox spiritualitet väl. Ibland väldigt bra men vissa stycken var för flummiga.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is WILD!