Most theologians believe that in the human life of Jesus of Nazareth, we encounter God. Yet how the divine and human come together in the life of Jesus still remains a question needing exploring. The Council of Chalcedon sought to answer the question by speaking of one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in divinity and also perfect in humanity, the same truly God and truly a human being. But ever since Chalcedon, the theological conversation on Christology has implicitly put Christs divinity and humanity in competition. While ancient (and not-so-ancient) Christologies from above focus on Christs divinity at the expense of his humanity, modern Christologies from below subsume his divinity into his humanity. What is needed, says Ian A. McFarland, is a Chalcedonianism without reserve, which not only affirms the humanity and divinity of Christ but also treats them as equal in theological significance. To do so, he draws on the ancient christological language that points to Christs nature, on the one hand, and his hypostasis, or personhood, on the other. And with this, McFarland begins one of the most creative and groundbreaking theological explorations into the mystery of the incarnation undertaken in recent memory.

About the Author
Ian A. McFarland is Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs and Professor of Theology at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He is the author of several books, including In Adam's Fall: A Meditation on the Christian Doctrine of Original Sin and The Divine Image: Envisioning the Invisible God.

Reviews
"Pastors in the local church have a vocational obligation to think theologically. It is no accident that they are called teaching elders. Yet, with the press of other duties, theology is often neglected. The church suffers. Where to begin? This is a robust reengagement with the Incarnation through a retrieval of a 'Chalcedonian theology without reserve.' Ian McFarland, a Lutheran who now teaches at Emory University, is an able guide. This is real theology that enriches the mind and the spirit - the kind of food that makes for thoughtful pastors who preach and teach the gospel with depth." - The Presbyterian Outlook * Presbyterian Outlook *



Book Information
ISBN 9780664262976
Author Ian A. McFarland
Format Paperback
Page Count 260
Imprint Westminster/John Knox Press,U.S.
Publisher Westminster/John Knox Press,U.S.