Jesus in Trinitarian Perspective

Chapter 2 - The Eternal Son of God in the Social Trinity

"While there may be hiddenness, incomprehensibility, and even darkness in God's self-revelation, there are no masks. The divine Being is not misleading the believer; there is no charade - as the incarnation and the cross powerfully testify. God is honest, true and genuine in communicating himself (p. 49)." It is quotes like these that I appreciated in Horrell. He maintians an epistemic humility while boldly proclaiming a firm position in his theology. This chapter seeks to demonstrate the social trinity, covering backgrounds and historical approaches to this theological position. What was most enlightening to me was Horrell's suggestion that Western Theology has spent its energy on arguing for the existence of God and explaining the attributes of God laying the foundation for European deism and atheism having lost the Trinity in the process (p. 52).

Chapter 4 - One Person, Two Natures

This chapter seeks to establish that Christ is one person with two natures among other things. Engaging the Chalcedonian defnition, Dr. DeWeese walks us through this discussion carefully. This chapter matches perfectly with Body and Soul picking up on the discussion of 'persons' as a particular genus. This was helpful for me in understanding the debate and the inherent vagueness of the Chalcedonian definition. I appreciate DeWeese ending his section with a celebration of the God we know, even if we do not agree on the same conclusions.

Chapter 6 - Jesus' Example

Klaus Issler focuses primarily on Jesus' humanity, not to diminish from his divinity, but to 'enrich our doctrine of sanctification and Christian living.' Issler makes the suggestion that we can follow Christ's example in our living. He also gives some historic examples of why we are so hesitant to make such an audacious claim. Overall, this chapter helpfully distinguishes which aspects of Christ's activity and person were distinctly divine, while which one were distinctly human. While this may seem a bit contrived, it is crucial to modern-day theology.

Summary

I am impressed by the idea that "Jesus is truly our example of a perfect human individual" (DeWeese). Christianity with Power reminded me of this, but this book established the theology behind it. I am commanded by Jesus to live a life like He lived. Such wonderful thinkers and theologians such as a Kempis and Luther seemed hesitant to make the claim that we can live like Jesus out of a desire to maintain humility in our walk with God. But, as Issler points out using the words of William Barry, "If Jesus is superhuman, then I can admire him, but I do not have to take seriously his call to emulate him, I can never be a superhuman being."

Jesus' example to us is meant to be emulated. In my own devotional time I am reading Radical, by David Platt and have found myself dismissing certain ideas as too spiritual or as being too radical. Buried in my theology is the idea that I cannot be like Christ, therefore, why bother trying. However, books like this are awakening me to remember that I have been called to live like Jesus even if I fail.

Christianity with Power suggested that I go back through the gospels reading with the new information in mind. Perhaps it would be good for me to read the gospels with the idea that I am to emulate Christ as well. This will be a long endeavor, but perhaps one of the most important of my life.

Living like Christ - Luther and Kempis - we therefore lose the importance of who Jesus is. p. 203