Explore the complex ways scholars have understood Christ’s person, nature, and development.
This rigorous study surveys major Christological theories, from Apollinaris to Reformed and Lutheran traditions, and examines how ideas about the Incarnation, exinanition, and the kenosis shape our view of Jesus. With careful critique, it offers readers a window into ongoing debates about the humanity and divinity of Christ and how these ideas influence doctrine.
The book delves into how different interpreters interpret key sayings of Jesus, including the title Son of Man, and what those readings imply for the nature of Christ, his pre-existence, and his relation to God the Father. It weighs historical arguments, evaluates scriptural interpretations, and situates debates within broader theological currents. The focus remains on the premises and implications of each theory, rather than on a single solution.
What you’ll experience
- Clear introductions to major Christological positions and their historical contexts
- Critical discussions of concepts like exinanition, kenosis, and the double life of the Logos
- Analysis of how readings of the Son of Man shape understandings of Jesus’ humanity and divinity
- Connections between Christology and related topics such as the atonement and priesthood
Ideal for readers of scholarly theology, church history, and anyone seeking a careful, detailed map of Christological thought and its interpretive challenges. This edition helps readers weigh competing claims and form an informed view of the ongoing conversation about who Jesus is.