The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ: Deification of Jesus in Early Christian Discourse

by David K. Bernard

David K. Bernard's latest book, The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ, represents an important Oneness perspective in the growing body of scholarly literature focused on the belief of the earliest Christians that Jesus was God. Through a careful study of II Corinthians 3:16–4:6 and consideration of the Jewish context from which Paul wrote, Brother Bernard has made a vital contribution to the wider academic community that, in the words of noted scholar Amos Yong, "will have reverberations not only for the next generation of theologians but also for anyone interested in the christologies of the earliest followers of Jesus the Messiah."

280 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2016

Reviews

[Toure Payton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good book in terms of understanding some historic context for the doctrinal teaching concerning Christ.

However when we really dive into NT teaching it can very easily be stated as just God and Jesus Christ. Yes while as the Son he is God manifested in flesh but we must understand that Jesus is still human. The fullness of his God and Father’s nature (theotitos, or “Godhead”, simply defined as divine nature, divinity, etc.) is within him, bodily and humanly. Just that simple.

We can do each other a great deal of help by limiting our understanding and communication to what the Apostles taught and preached.

Toure

[Daniel Gutierrez · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I was going to advocate for the Oneness Pentecostal position, this is the book I would use. That said, while I think he successfully argues against certain popular forms of Trinitarianism and against denials of the Deity of Christ, I don't think his overall arguments work exegetically or philosophically. I believe his view requires a lot of false dichotomies and presuppositions considering what the Apostles and the Early Church believed and taught.