In this comprehensive and closely argued study, a renowned theologian examines the anthropological disciplines human biology, psychology, cultural anthropology, sociology, and history for their religious implications. The result is a fundamental theological anthropology that does not derive from dogma or prejudice, but critically evaluates the findings of the anthropological disciplines to see how they embody the two basic themes of traditional theological anthropology: the image of God in human beings and sin. Pannenberg himself writer, 'If theologians are not to succumb to self-deception regarding their proper activity, they must begin their reflection with a recognition of the fundamental importance of anthropology for all modern thought and for any present day claim of universal validity for religious statements. Other wise they will, even if unintentionally, play into the hands of their atheistic critics, who reduce religion and theology to anthropology, that is, to human assumptions and illusions.