Sinless Flesh: A Critique of Karl Barth’s Fallen Christ
Sinless Flesh
Did Christ assume a fallen human nature?
“What is not assumed is not healed.” So goes the Chalcedonian maxim articulated by Gregory of Nazianzus regarding the nature and extent of Christ’s work in assuming a human nature. But what is the nature of that assumption? If Christ is to stand in solidarity with us, must he have assumed not merely a human nature, but specifically a fallen human nature?
In Sinless Flesh: A Critique of Karl Barth’s Fallen Christ, Rafael Nogueira Bello argues against the assertion made by Karl Barth, T. F. Torrance, and those who follow them that Christ assumed a fallen nature. Through retrieval of patristic, medieval, and Reformed orthodox theologians, Bello argues that a proper understanding of human nature, trinitarian inseparable operations, and the habitual grace-grace of union distinction leads to the conclusion that the assertion that Christ assumed a fallen human nature is at odds with faithful theological and historical understandings of the incarnation.
Praise for Sinless Flesh
Avoiding the errors of those who propose Christ’s assumption of a fallen nature, Bello offers a lucid account of how the Son’s human nature is actually sanctified. Furthermore, by seriously considering the Trinitarian nature of the act of assumption, the reader is treated to a careful and nuanced construction of a model rejecting the fallen view. Learned in the christological thinking of Thomas Aquinas and Karl Barth, this study warrants serious consideration.
–Christopher R. J. Holmes, associate professor of systematic theology and head of the theology programme, University of Otago (New Zealand)
This question, whether the human nature assumed by the Son is fallen or unfallen, is one of the most vexed and complicated questions in theology. Bello’s argument here is a fine piece of theological research, approaching modern discussions by bringing into play patristic (inseparable operations), medieval (the grace of union), and Protestant scholastic (federal headship) resources.
–Fred Sanders, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University
Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology
Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology is a peer-reviewed series of contemporary monographs exploring key figures, themes, and issues in historical and systematic theology from an evangelical perspective.
Learn more about the other titles in this series.
- Introduction
- Karl Barth’s Theology of the Incarnation and Christ’s Flesh
- T. F. Torrance and the Mediation of Salvation
- Inseparable Operations
- Grace of Union and Habitual Grace
- Original Sin
- Conclusion
- Title: Sinless Flesh: A Critique of Karl Barth’s Fallen Christ
- Author: Rafael Nogueira Bello
- Series: Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2020
- Page Count: 152
- Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
- Trim Size: 6x9
- ISBN: 9781683594055
Rafael Nogueira Bello (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Academic Editor at Editora Fiel (Brazil) and Professor of Theology at Martin Bucer Seminary.