How much do Christians study Christ himself? Christology is a greatly neglected subject for the Lord’s people. Perhaps we’ve shied away from it, having heard discussions about the difference between Greek words like homoousios and homoiousios that made our eyes glaze over. And yet, as the introduction to this book states, ‘Christology is the lifeblood of the Christian faith and practice’ (p.11).
These essays tackle some of the main aspects of Christology. As with all such collections, some chapters shed more light on their subject than others. Greg Beale writes insightfully on the necessity for the Son of Man to become incarnate, to succeed where Adam and Israel failed. Ryan Speck leads us down the little-trodden path of the significance of Christ’s ascension and seating at the Father’s right hand. Michael Morales’s chapter on the obedience of Christ, expounding the significance of the temptations of Christ in the light of Israel’s wilderness temptations, was particularly enlightening.
This isn’t a book for beginners, but neither is it one aimed at academics. It’s for Christians with a reasonable grasp of theology, who want to study, grow, and be stretched; such folk will find plenty to chew over here. The study of Christ is the most glorious subject of all, and we do well to give ourselves to it.
Dave Cox
Nelson, South Wales
