Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Paperback – September 1, 1997

Very informative and insightful

This book had been recommended to me.Not being a math and science person I sort of put it down on my list. I'm sorry I prejudged it. This book's look at the human body and it's comparison to the body of Christ had me hooked from the first few pages of the introduction,To see how specialized the functions of processes and minute parts of the body are made me look so differently at the church as it functions as the body of Christ. Each is called to a specific and unique function to benefit the whole.This doctor uses knowledge acquired in treating leprosy to his life as a believer and the writer then relates this understanding to the reader in a simple, understandable, engaging way. The book is detailed enough to give depth of understanding but never assumes the readers are medical or divinity school students.The fact that this doctor's specialty was working with lepers made the book all that much more intriguing.Leprosy is not a disease we are familiar with in this part of the world or in this day and time.I'm left with the thought of all the microscopic parts that kick into action instantaneously to perform specific tasks to heal the the damage from something as unremarkable as a finger prick.The human body is truly awesomely designed.

Book came wrapped in plastic and in a bubble wrap envelope.Very pleased

Having read the YWAM biography on Paul Brand I was curious to read more about this medically brilliant man. The introduction in this book, written by Philip Yancey who spent time with Paul when he was living in Carville, LA, sums up Paul's work and personality perfectly. Missionary centered, Paul was a humble man who never got used to the prosperity in the USA.Unlike most people who are glad to be free of pain, Paul knew the dangers of painlessness in his leprosy patients and actually saw many pain benefits. Having started a book many years earlier it had been 20 years since he had looked at it. In comes Philip Yancey. Spending 10 years together this book has an unusually long introduction (approximately 10%) but you get a wonderful glimpse into Yancey's heart and his appreciation of his mentor, co-author and friend, Paul Brand.Following the introduction, this book is set out in four parts: cells, bones, skin and motion. Did you know that your body has 50 billion active white blood cells with a backup force one hundred times as large in your bone marrow? Are white blood cells really sluggish? It appears that way until the attack happens! Read how they rush into action. Did you know that there are no pleasure nerves in the body? to find out more.Fancy spending time amongst 600 skeletons? Paul did! Fascinating to read ho you can determine someone's job/sport from looking at their bones. The 10 commandments, Paul-phrased, are likened to a basic skeleton. What are osteoblasts? Did you know that when you are young 100% of your bone is replaced each year? Are you a crayfish kind of Christian? Your skin weighs, on average, 9lbs. It's most critical contribution? Waterproofing. "In the absence of any other proof, the thumb alone would convince me of God's existence." This quote by Isaac Newton heads the section on motion. Talks some about rheumatoid arthritis comparing it to a civil war.Throughout this book, Pail likens the many different parts and functions of the body to the Body of Christ i.e. the Church. We, as individuals, are all different but together we make up the 'body'. Where, in your body, is the Holy of Holies? "The cerebral hemispheres of the brain."I am no scientist, in fact you could probably call that my weakest subject HOWEVER I thoroughly enjoyed this book. If nothing else it gave me further awe into God's amazing creation of the human body. I would recommend this to teenagers on up. IMPORTANT: This is NOT a biography of Paul's life. To learn more of his parent's work in India along with Paul's life helping leprosy sufferers I suggest you read Paul Brand: Helping Hands by Janet and Geoff Benge or one similar. I purchased this book for my Kindle. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so. Thanks, Liz Read more

Are we just flesh and blood or are we something far more amazing? The author answers this question by first breaking down the human body bone by bone, cell by cell, neuron by neuron to demonstrate that we are intricately made with details so precise it is impossible to say we are an abstract cosmic accident. But not stopping there he goes on to describe the same uniqueness with the Body of Christ. People are not an accident neither is the Church in which the Spirit of Christ dwells. My eyes were opened to truths so basic I'm still wondering how I was so oblivious. A must read for scholar, student and liver of God.

This is the first book by Philip Yancy that I have read. I can guarantee you that it will NOT be the last! He has a lucid writing style that wonderfully illuminates the ideas and concepts he is bringing forth. When I purchased "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made," I was expecting a book that would enable me to meditate on God's Creative Power by focusing on the incredible intricacy and marvelous design of the human body. And the book does that... BUT... it takes it to a next step that I did not anticipate: It uses those anatomical and physiological details to further explore and develop the Apostle Paul's using the human body to explain the makeup and function of the Church. And the way it is done leaves one so inspired and uplifted by what God has done on earth to us and with us physically and Spiritually!I HIGHLY recommend this book to you.

If you are a Christian, you will be inspired by Dr. Paul Brand's comparisons of the human body with the allegorical body of Christ.If you are not a Christian, you should read this book anyway, because his incredible descriptions of the working of your physical body will make you understand that you walk around daily in a body that should inspire your awe.Each chapter is about a part of the body -- blood, bones, skin etc. and can stand alone and/ or be read in any order.The chapters are short and are described in easy to understand terms. This book came from Dr. Brand's notes and observations over the years as he pioneered in understanding and developing ways to help people with leprosy. That in itself is fascinating. Philip Yancey convinced and helped him turn it into a book. Another book by the duo, In His Image is also excellent.

Reading this book has been an eye opener. What the author explains is the complexities of cells and their operations in the body. If this all came about by a big bang, how did the first cells form? Everything takes a seed in order to grow. The conclusion that one must come to is to believe that there is something higher than what we have been led to believe in school.

Nice read

The best book I have read on this subject

I agree with all the impressive things said in the other reviews. Philip Yancey wrote this book based on some writings, sermons and lots of conversations with Dr Paul Brand. The introduction explains how the book came to be written and reading it it is clear to see why Yancey was so grateful to have Dr Brand as his friend.Dr Brand grew up in India with missionary parents and later he and his wife returned to India as missionary medics themselves. Brand spent many years serving leprosy patients and studying the disease and how to reduce it's damage and reconstruct hands and feet destroyed by the illness. Later they worked in what was the only US Leprosy Sanitorium. Dr Brand's knowledge on so many subjects is amazing and yet so easily communicated.This book examines the miracle of the human body in great biological detail which was incredibly enlightening for me. If I were a teenager again I think it would have fired me up to be a doctor. Dr Brand also looks at the body and see how he thinks it should apply in the Biblical example of the church being the body of Christ. It covers the physical and the spiritual. An excellent book. I learnt so much. I will definitely re-read it. The sections are split into Cells, Bones, Skin and Motion. Each chapter is short and very readable.Obviously the book is based on a Biblical Christian world view. I would recommend it to anyone who is open to considering things from that perspective. I would give one warning however, if you are ardently against all form of testing on animals you may wish to avoid this book as I suspect there would be three or four sections that would make you angry and possibly take away any benefit you may otherwise glean.

I loved the information and application. Great work.