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 question: death.

Here is a fine book for all explorers into the deeper meaning of what it is to be human.

Olivier Clement was one of the foremost Orthodox theologians of the day. He taught at the Institute of St. Sergius at Paris and was a member of the Ecumenical Institute founded by L' Institute Catholique. He is the author of Roots of Christian Mysticism and You Are Peter. His works, published in many languages, cover a wide range of subjects.