Christology: A Guide for the Perplexed

by Alan J. Spence

Publisher:

Bloomsbury

, 2008

Overview

Today Christology is of concern to both New Testament scholars and theologians alike and continues to provoke debate within the Church. Christology: A Guide for the Perplexed examines the key debates and defining moments in the early Church and the Reformation. After a brief introduction providing a basic definition of Christology, this historical background provides an essential foundation on which to outline later developments in Christology. Alan Spence then considers the Quest for the Historical Jesus, the work of the major theologians in this area including Barth and Schleiermacher, and from the present day, N.T. Wright and Pannenberg, and explores the contemporary arguments within the field of Christology.

Key Features

• Discusses classical issues as well as modern controversies
• Surveys the history of research and debate
• Argues for an ecumenical approach

Contents

• Classical Christology
  • The Paradox
  • Incarnation
  • Athanasius and the Arians
  • The Human Mind of the Word of God
  • Divine ad Human Willing in Christ
  • Jesus and the Spirit
• Modern Christology
  • The Socinian Challenge to Nicaea
  • In Search of the Historical Jesus
  • A Theology of Religious Experience
  • The Christ of Faith and the Jesus of History
  • The Doctrine of the Word of God
  • Resurrection as Revelation
• An Ecumenical Christology

Top Highlights

“The Monophysites were unable to conceive how there could be in the one person of Christ two distinct principles of action. They believed that there was just one operation, one new divine-human energy or theandric action in Christ’s incarnate life.” (Page 53)

“A major weakness in Arianism is bound up with its postulation of a creaturely pre-existent Word substantially distinct from God’s creative Will or Word.” (Page 33)

“He argued that the Word, as the governing principle of the life of the incarnate Christ, took the place of the human mind or soul in Jesus. The Logos was both the intelligent principle directing his life and also the animating spirit of his flesh.” (Page 40)

“In his humanity Jesus thought, acted and grew in his knowledge and understanding of good and evil just as we do. He was consequently able to represent us in offering an acceptable obedience to God.” (Page 43)

“It means that salvation is accomplished through the obedient life of Jesus and the moral transformation that flows from it rather than through the act of incarnation and the renovation our being.” (Page 29)

Product Details

• Title: Christology: A Guide for the Perplexed
• Author: Alan J. Spence
• Series: Guides for the Perplexed
• Publisher: T&T Clark
• Publication Date: 2008
• Pages: 192
• Resource Type: Introduction
• Topic: Theology

About Alan J. Spence

Alan J. Spence taught mathematics in Harare, served as a tent evangelist in the South African townships and ran camps and conferences with Scripture Union in Zimbabwe. He has been a minister in the Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa, and was at one time moderator of its general assembly. He helped to found Domboshawa House, a theological college in Harare and has chaired the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Committee of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches. He is now the minister of a United Reformed Church congregation in Northampton, UK.