An Humble Inquiry into the Scripture-Account of Jesus Christ: A Short Argument concerning His Deity and Glory according to the Gospel

In 1702 the English Presbyterian minister and theologian Thomas Emlyn wrote An Humble Inquiry, a succinct and erudite argument for the subordination of Jesus Christ to God the Father. Because of his unitarian understanding of biblical christology and theology he was expelled by his denomination, and in 1703 he was tried for blasphemy by the state. Sentenced to prison and deprived of his wealth, Emlyn's persecution by both the state and his fellow Protestants became an exemplar of the need for religious tolerance.

This new Updated Edition makes Emlyn's potent and controversial eighteenth-century book accessible to twenty-first century readers, and is enhanced by notes, scriptural citations, a complete bibliography of Emlyn's writings, and a historical introduction.

Table of Contents:
Notes on this edition i
Introduction: “Emlyn’s Humble Inquiry: English Unitarianism and the Rise of Tolerance in the West” by Kegan A. Chandler 1

An Humble Inquiry 33

Chapter 1: God and Jesus
How the Word “God” is Used in Scripture 35
Jesus on Himself as Distinct from and Subordinate to God 40

Chapter 2: The Human Jesus
How Jesus Denies Having Divine Attributes 51
Why “Two-Natures” Speculations Don’t Help 57

Chapter 3: Answering Objections
Answering Scriptural Objections about Christ’s Knowledge 69
Answering Arguments from the Worship of Jesus 90
Protestants’ Anti-Catholic Arguments Re-applied to Themselves 97
Conclusion: A Call for Temperance 104

Bibliography 113
Appendix A: The Complete Bibliography of Thomas Emlyn 127
Scripture Index 133