ReSourcing Theological Anthropology: A Constructive Account of Humanity in the Light of Christ

by Marc Cortez

Publisher:

Zondervan Academic

, 2018

Overview

Theologians working in theological anthropology often claim that Jesus reveals what it means to be “truly human,” but this often has little impact in their actual account of anthropology. ReSourcing Theological Anthropology addresses that lack by offering an account of why theological anthropology must begin with Christology. Building off his earlier study on how key theologians in church history have understood the relationship between Christology and theological anthropology, Cortez now develops a new proposal for theological anthropology and applies it to the theological situation today. ReSourcing Theological Anthropology is divided into four sections. The first section explores the relevant Christological/anthropological biblical passages and unpacks how they inform our understanding of theological anthropology. The second section discusses the theological issues raised in the course of surveying the biblical texts. The third section lays out a methodological framework for how to construct a uniquely Christological anthropology. The final section builds on the first three sections and demonstrates the significance of Christology for understanding theological anthropology by applying the methodological framework to several pressing anthropological issues: gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, and death and suffering.

Key Features

• Explores the relevant Christological/anthropological biblical passages
• Discusses the theological issues raised in the course of surveying the biblical texts
• Provides a methodological framework for how to construct a uniquely Christological anthropology

Contents

Part One: An Empty Cipher

• The Glory of Christ, the Image of God, and the Christological Orientation of Theological Anthropology

Part Two: Centered on Christ through the Centuries

• What is a ‘Will’?: Maximus’ Cosmological Christology and Human Volitionality
• Prototype, Archetype, and Gender-type: Gregory of Nyssa and the Christological (De)gendering of the Human Person
• Cross-Centered Vocation: The Theology of the Cross in Luther’s Theological Anthropology
• Consciousness of God, Awareness of Self: Schleiermacher’s Reconstruction of the imitatio Christi
• Summoned into Being: Body, Soul, and Eternal Election in Barth’s Theology
• Person, Persons, and Personhood: Zizioulas and the Ecclesial Nature of Humanity
• The Black Christ: James Cone and the Race-ing of the Human Person

Part Three: Tentative Steps Forward

• Reforming Our Anthropological Vision: Some Concluding Thoughts on the Shape of a Christ-Centered Theological Anthropology

Praise for the Print Edition

If Jesus Christ is truly human, then any account of human agents must reflect this obvious theological platitude. But how should we spell out the relevant inference? Most especially, given that Jesus is male and Jewish. Marc Cortez provides a clear and provocative answer. Written with apt caution and precision, this book is indispensable reading for both seasoned theologians and enthusiastic novices.

—William J. Abraham, Southern Methodist University

Over the course of this extraordinary book, Marc Cortez engages some of the biggest questions of today while remaining thoroughly rooted in Scripture and tradition. He develops his constructive contribution to theological anthropology in conversation with an impressively wide range of contemporary voices. While never compromising his engagement with high-level thought, his book is exceptionably accessible and readable. Every Christian needs to wrestle with the questions engaged in this book: What does it mean to be human? How does Jesus Christ help us understand who we are? What does it mean to be made in the image of God? How does Jesus Christ help us understand gender and sexuality? What does Jesus Christ contribute to our conceptions of race and ethnicity today? And as they wrestle with these questions, they could have no better guide than Marc Cortez.

—Kristen Deede Johnson, Western Theological Seminary

Calvin famously claimed that there is no knowledge of self without knowledge of God. Barth amended the motion, insisting that there is no knowledge of God without knowledge of Christ. Cortez here extends the logic further, arguing that, theologically speaking, there is no knowledge of self apart from knowledge of the humanity of Christ. Christology does not simply supplement but constitutes the most important things we know about our own humanity. This is a bold claim, to be sure, yet Cortez clearly provides biblical grounding for it and anticipates the likely objections, thereby putting flesh on what many theologians thinly assume but never thickly describe—namely, how, why, and where Christology ought to inform anthropology.

—Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Product Details

• Title: ReSourcing Theological Anthropology: A Constructive Account of Humanity in the Light of Christ
• Author: Marc Cortez
• Publisher: Zondervan Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2018
• Pages: 304
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Resource ID: LLS:RSRCNGTNTHRPLGY
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2021-01-26T16:59:44Z

Benefits of Logos Edition

In the Logos Reader Edition, this volume is enhanced to best fit the content. Scripture references are hand-tagged to integrate with powerful functionality in Logos Bible Software. Page milestones and internal citation tagging provide accurate points of reference. Search important words across resources to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive tools for reading digital content are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

About Marc Cortez

Marc Cortez received his PhD in theology from the University of St Andrews in Scotland and holds a ThM and MA from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is professor of theology at Wheaton College and Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. He previously taught at Western Seminary for seven years, where he served as academic dean and director of the ThM program. Prior to that, he served for nearly ten years as a youth pastor for middle and high school students, and he continues to be involved in various areas of ministry. Dr. Cortez is a leading expert in theological anthropology, and his published works on this topic include ReSourcing Theological Anthropology, Christological Anthropology in Historical Perspective, and Theological Anthropology: A Guide for the Perplexed.

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