A Cosmic Leap of Faith: An Authorial, Structural, and Theological Investigation of the Cosmic Christology in Col. 1:15-20

by Vincent A. Pizzuto

Among the array of christologies embodied within New Testament literature, the so-called "hymn" of Colossians 1: 15-20 offers a unique and invaluable contribution to contemporary theological and inter-religious discourse. This is because it conveys what is arguably the highest christological affirmation within the canon. Pizzuto contends that the hymn is a creative and faith-filled composition by the same deutero-Pauline author of the Colossians epistle itself and demonstrates that there is an inextricable relationship between the chiastic structure of Col 1: 15-20 and a proper understanding of its provenance, authorship and theology. Although the hymn echoes theological motifs consistent with Second Temple Judaism and loosely reflects a number of syncretistic influences, it is fundamentally the novelty of the "Christ-event," - the historical impact of Jesus of Nazareth - that has been most influential in determining the christological categories of Col 1: 15-20 and its larger epistolary framework. Pizzuto thus defends the overall integrity of the hymn against those who would assert that it reflects a pre-Christian or pre-Colossians origin. He concludes that Col 1: 15-20 represents something of a "leap" beyond Pauline christology into a new and unequivocal conviction of the cosmic implications of the Cross.

Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

Reviews

[Josef Muench · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of potential, but was finally disappointing. His discussion of authorship and especially the background/precedents of the Christ Hymn of Col. 1 was actually quite interesting, despite the fact that I think he’s dead wrong on authorship. But despite the very interesting theological potential he hinted at throughout the book, all of a sudden the book was over, with very little close discussion of the Christ Hymn itself. Too bad, because I think that discussion would have been really great.