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One God & One Lord: Reconsidering the Cornerstone of the Christian Faith
"Who do you say that I am?"
Jesus of Nazareth posed this question to his followers nearly two thousand years ago, but the question still hangs in the air, requesting an answer from every person. Indeed, the question of the identity of Jesus Christ is the most important theological issue of all human history, because he claimed to be the human Son of the one true God. In ONE GOD & ONE LORD, the authors carefully re-examine the biblical evidence in light of modern textual research and a thorough survey of scholarly opinion. They argue that the biblically accurate answer to the question of his identity is provided by Peter, John, Mary, Paul and other first-century believers who unanimously proclaimed him to be "the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Building an impressive and compelling case for the unity of the biblical testimony concerning the true humanity of Jesus, "the last Adam," the authors reveal the profound significance of the two aspects of his coming: suffering and glory. They seek a view of Christ that allows for a total appreciation of his steadfast obedience to God in the face of temptation, suffering and even a humiliating death. Vindicated by his resurrection, he entered into glory and now sits in a position of functional equality with God, analogous to the relationship of Joseph and Pharaoh in the Book of Genesis. ONE GOD & ONE LORD shows how the traditional view of Jesus Christ actually demeans both his accomplishments and his heroism by attributing to him "intrinsic deity" that essentially eliminates the possibility of either authentic temptation or failure.
Because the Gospel of John is often isolated and magnified to establish and fortify orthodox Christology, the authors explore in depth the unique depiction of Christ in "the Fourth Gospel". They succeed in placing John's testimony harmoniously and understandably within the margins of the prophetic portrait of the Messiah. This portrait had already been drawn out in detail in the Hebrew Scriptures and was then fleshed out in the Synoptic Gospels. Nowhere in this portrait is it clear that Messiah was "God incarnate," "God the Son," or a pre-existent divine visitor.
Appealing primarily to scriptural authority and logical reasoning, ONE GOD & ONE LORD also thoroughly examines the historical process by which traditional Christian orthodoxy came to be established. A combination of misguided Christian piety and pagan speculation are shown to be responsible for the intrusion of unbiblical concepts into basic Christian thought and doctrine.
ONE GOD & ONE LORD is challenging, but profoundly encourages both Christian devotion and a deep appreciation for the integrity of the Bible. It will reward the careful attention of the critic of Christianity, the new Christian, students of the Bible, pastors, teachers and scholars.
Jesus of Nazareth posed this question to his followers nearly two thousand years ago, but the question still hangs in the air, requesting an answer from every person. Indeed, the question of the identity of Jesus Christ is the most important theological issue of all human history, because he claimed to be the human Son of the one true God. In ONE GOD & ONE LORD, the authors carefully re-examine the biblical evidence in light of modern textual research and a thorough survey of scholarly opinion. They argue that the biblically accurate answer to the question of his identity is provided by Peter, John, Mary, Paul and other first-century believers who unanimously proclaimed him to be "the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Building an impressive and compelling case for the unity of the biblical testimony concerning the true humanity of Jesus, "the last Adam," the authors reveal the profound significance of the two aspects of his coming: suffering and glory. They seek a view of Christ that allows for a total appreciation of his steadfast obedience to God in the face of temptation, suffering and even a humiliating death. Vindicated by his resurrection, he entered into glory and now sits in a position of functional equality with God, analogous to the relationship of Joseph and Pharaoh in the Book of Genesis. ONE GOD & ONE LORD shows how the traditional view of Jesus Christ actually demeans both his accomplishments and his heroism by attributing to him "intrinsic deity" that essentially eliminates the possibility of either authentic temptation or failure.
Because the Gospel of John is often isolated and magnified to establish and fortify orthodox Christology, the authors explore in depth the unique depiction of Christ in "the Fourth Gospel". They succeed in placing John's testimony harmoniously and understandably within the margins of the prophetic portrait of the Messiah. This portrait had already been drawn out in detail in the Hebrew Scriptures and was then fleshed out in the Synoptic Gospels. Nowhere in this portrait is it clear that Messiah was "God incarnate," "God the Son," or a pre-existent divine visitor.
Appealing primarily to scriptural authority and logical reasoning, ONE GOD & ONE LORD also thoroughly examines the historical process by which traditional Christian orthodoxy came to be established. A combination of misguided Christian piety and pagan speculation are shown to be responsible for the intrusion of unbiblical concepts into basic Christian thought and doctrine.
ONE GOD & ONE LORD is challenging, but profoundly encourages both Christian devotion and a deep appreciation for the integrity of the Bible. It will reward the careful attention of the critic of Christianity, the new Christian, students of the Bible, pastors, teachers and scholars.
- GenresNonfiction
806 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 27, 2012
The book is basically a justification for former Way International cult members' denial of the Trinity doctrine. By denying the deity of Jesus Christ, His equality with God, His pre-existence with God, and weaving confusion into their own "interpretation" of the truth which is plainly stated by the Apostle John: "In the begining was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" John 1:1 the author(s) try to discredit the truth about Jesus Christ, the truth about the Holy Spirit. Jesus didn't claim to be the "human" son of God, He claimed to be The Son of God. - See how they mix things up? My advice, run the other way when you see this book for the Bible clearly states: "For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted,you bear this beautifully...for such men (these authors) are false apostles, decietful workers,distinguishing themselves as apostles of Christ...."2 Corinthians 11:13-15
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2011
A Exceptional work; I know some will not like my review however I found this work to be both extremely challenging and, yet, also very truthful in its approach to many of the fundemental questions that, I feel, must be addressed within the Church if we are to ever realize true unity in the faith. Some will say that the answers posed to those challenging questions in this work are "heretical". Yet I found such a position to be true only if one considers "orthodox" those aspects of the Christian faith that are not solidly and explicetly rooted in the Scriptures. More importantly I found that the perspectives of this work have forced me to be far more open and yet faithful to the very basic tenents of my Christian Faith in such a way as to move me to become far more open if you will and far less quick to discount the faith of others whose perspectives in the faith may not be identical to my own yet still very "orthodox" in their understanding.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews