The doctrine of the Incarnation lies at the heart of Christianity. But the idea that 'God was in Christ' has become a much-debated topic in modern theology. Oliver Crisp addresses six key issues in the Incarnation defending a robust version of the doctrine, in keeping with classical Christology. He explores perichoresis, or interpenetration, with reference to both the Incarnation and Trinity. Over two chapters Crisp deals with the human nature of Christ and then provides an argument against the view, common amongst some contemporary theologians, that Christ had a fallen human nature. He considers the notion of divine kenosis or self-emptying, and discusses non-Incarnational Christology, focusing on the work of John Hick. This view denies Christ is God Incarnate, regarding him as primarily a moral exemplar to be imitated. Crisp rejects this alternative account of the nature of Christology.
THE HUMAN NATURE OF CHRIST by P. J. BALDWIN E XACTLY ten years aio Mr. Baldwin contri'buted an article to the QUARTERLY on "Christian Doctrine". The value of this further contribU1iion from his pen' lies especially in its giving the reflections of a layman of Reformed conviction. manifestly well versed in Scripture and in Puritan and evangelical literature. on a subject whiich is not only of abiding theological importance but also. as 'Mr. Baldwin shows. of gre'atpractical contemporary relevance. He sent the article to us before the publication of "Honest to God" and "Soundings". but the issues raised 'by these and similar publicatlions add point to what he has to say.
This article sets out a constructive account of original sin that attempts to take seriously the Christian tradition (particularly, the Reformed tradition), and that avoids the serious theological drawback of the doctrine of original guilt. I dub this account the moderate Reformed doctrine of original sin. I also argue that an adequate understanding of original sin must be opentextured enough to accommodate some version of the story of evolutionary human development. Although I do not offer an account of how original sin is consistent with evolutionary human development, the doctrine set out here is commensurate with several live options on this controversial theological topic, which I take to be a strength, rather than a weakness, of the view.
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