Essay / Theology

Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective

Hot off the presses from Broadman & Holman Publishing is my book Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective: An Introductory Christology. In this book, Klaus Issler and I bring together six chapters by six authors who argue that “the savior who died on the cross and rose from the dead is the eternal second person of the Trinity.” Readers of scriptoriumdaily.com will recognize ideas that I’ve developed here over the last couple of years. The first chapter of the book draws those arguments together in one handy place, and sets up five more chapters by experts in their respective fields.

Chapters:

Chapter 1- Introduction to Christology: Chalcedonian Categories for the Gospel Narrative, Fred Sanders
Part 1: The Person of Christ
Chapter 2 – The Eternal Son of God in the Social Trinity, J. Scott Horrell
Chapter 3 – The One Person Who Is Jesus Christ: The Patristic Perspective, Donald Fairbairn
Chapter 4 – One Person, Two Natures: Two Metaphysical Models of the Incarnation, Garrett J. DeWeese
Part 2: The Work of Christ
Chapter 5 – Christ’s Atonement: A Work of the Trinity, Bruce A. Ware
Chapter 6 – Jesus’ Example: Prototype of the Dependent, Spirit-Filled Life, Klaus Issler

You can download the first several pages of the book at the publisher’s site here.

From the foreword:

The contributors to this volume have not been afraid to revisit ancient debates, nor have they hesitated to tease out their implications for our own beliefs and proclamation. They are to be congratulated for their courage and admired for both their learning and their discernment. In this book they speak to the central issues of our faith, and in doing so, they stir us up to greater devotion. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” and it was in that flesh that we have seen the glory of God revealed. May he grant us the grace to persevere in our search for greater understanding, and bless both the authors who teach and the readers who learn more about the One who came in the flesh for our salvation.
— Gerald Bray, Anglican Professor of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama

And some endorsements:

The doctrine of the Trinity, as expressed in the classic creeds of the early church, was the necessary theological expression of two non-negotiable biblical affirmations—the Old Testament declaration, “God is One” and the New Testament confession, “Jesus is Lord.”~ This superb collection of essays by evangelical scholars unpacks this great truth by giving the lie to the false dichotomy between the Jesus of history and the Christ of faith.~ A great primer in historical theology!
— Timothy George, founding Dean and Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, executive editor of Christianity Today, and author of Theology of the Reformers

For a careful look at how Jesus has been understood theologically in the church, Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective is a solid walk through what is often dense terrain. There is much to ponder here. I am pleased to recommend it.
— Darrell Bock, Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary, author of Jesus According to Scripture, Studying the Historical Jesus, and commentaries on Luke (2 vols) and Acts

In recent years, intense research has been directed at Christological and trinitarian themes with exciting and insightful results. Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective is on the cutting edge of this research because it is the only volume to approach these themes in a multidisciplinary perspective. Faithful to Scripture and Chalcedon yet creative and fresh, Sanders and Issler have given the church a theologically rich and devotionally practical guide to the person and work of Christ. Pastors and informed laypeople will profit greatly from this book. Moreover, it would be my first choice as a text in Christology.
— J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Biola University, and author of Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview (2003) and Kingdom Triangle (2007)

The study of Jesus Christ is obviously important to all Christians. However, it is not obvious that he must be understood in light of the Trinity. We must reflect upon Jesus’ life and ministry in relationship to God, the Father, if we are rightly to appreciate and apply what Scripture says about him. Likewise, we need to consider the person and work of the Holy Spirit throughout Jesus’ life. Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective helps Christians to understand and appreciate the importance of the Trinity in considering Jesus—the life he lived, the salvation he provided, and the role model for how we should live and minister. The book provides clear-cut axioms for investigating the dynamics and significance of Jesus’ relationship to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Christians will benefit greatly from the variety of ways Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective explores who Jesus is, especially in light of who he is in relationship to God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
— Don Thorsen, Professor of Theology, Haggard Graduate School of Theology, Azusa Pacific University, and author of An Invitation to Theology: Exploring the Full Christian Tradition

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