The Self-Donation of God: A Contemporary Lutheran Approach to Christ and His Benefits
Overview
In The Self-Donation of God, Jack Kilcrease builds a systematic text on the premise that the speech-act of promise is always an act of self-donation. Anyone who unilaterally promises to another is bound to take a particular series of actions to fulfill that promise. Thus as creation is grounded in God’s promising speech, Kilcrease argues that the divine-human relationship is fundamentally one of divine self-donation and human receptivity. Beginning in Genesis he works through the rest of Scripture, examining the ways God gave himself to us and how this culminated in the work of Jesus.
Kilcrease discusses how sin disrupts this self-donating relationship, and how redemption was constituted by a divine promise of salvation. The promise of a savior begins the process of redemption within which God speaks forth a new narrative of creation and as Kilcrease argues, gives himself in an even deeper manner to humanity, binding himself to us through a promise. At the end of this history of self-binding, God in Christ enters into the condemnation of the law, neutralizes it in the Cross, and brings a new creation through his omnipotent word of promise, actualized in the resurrection. Throughout this text, though ultimately espousing a Lutheran view, Kilcrease draws upon the work of scholars from a wide variety of perspectives: liberal, conservative, modern, ancient, Calvinist, Roman Catholic, and more, offering a broad look at the subject.
In the Logos edition, this text connects with with your library’s wealth of modern and historical encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other resources, giving you access to insight from every angle. Scripture references appear on mouseover and link directly to your preferred English translation and original-language texts. And tablet and mobile apps enable you to take the discussion wherever you go. With the most efficient and comprehensive research tools all in one place through Logos Bible Software, you can get the most out of your study with ease.
- Includes a foreword by David P. Scaer, professor of biblical and systematic theology, Concordia Theological Seminary
- Contains plentiful footnotes, helpful for working through this text
- Offers a comprehensive Christology from a Lutheran perspective
Top Highlights
“If the Bible only presents us with fanciful allegorical stories, then these narratives are capable of doing nothing other than giving us general moral truths.” (Page 2)
“Israel was elected as the new carrier of the promise of universal redemption” (Page 13)
“Revelation is a self-giving of God reflecting what he is in himself” (Page xii)
“he proposes that this unifying principle is Christology” (Page xii)
In this study, Jack Kilcrease offers a masterful, panoramic approach to Christology, thoroughly grounded in the Scriptures and in constant debate with the christological reflection of fellow Lutherans, the wider Catholic tradition, and modern and contemporary voices. All in all, this book testifies to the gospel as God’s triumph of grace in the world.
—Mark Mattes, professor of philosophy of religion, Grand View University
Jack Kilcrease writes with clarity and precision; he is clearly at home in the classical primary sources (patristic writers, creedal and confessional documents, Luther, and the fathers of Lutheran orthodoxy). His methodology is marked by careful exegetical work and analysis, systematic exposition, and apologetic engagement. . . . Kilcrease writes as a classical and confessional Lutheran but with ecumenical awareness. The Self-Donation of God is comprehensive in scope and substance, dealing with all the loci associated with traditional christological discussions.
—John T. Pless, assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions, Concordia Theological Seminary
- Title: The Self-Donation of God: A Contemporary Lutheran approach to Christ and His Benefits
- Author: Jack D. Kilcrease
- Publisher: Wipf & Stock
- Publication Date: 2013
- Pages: 328
