Divinity and Humanity. By OLIVER D. CRISP.

Abstract

InDivinity and Humanity Oliver D. Crisp makes a contribution to Christology by raising important questions about the divine–human relation in the person of Christ. The book contributes to the doctrine of the incarnation in three ways. The first way is through its content—its presentation of the history of doctrine and meticulous examinations of representative schools. Crisp examines three issues in the Chalcedonian formula of the person of Christ and critiques ‘three doctrines that attempt to modify or, in one case, replace it’ (p. ix). The second way is through its form—Crisp employs dogmatics and analytical–philosophical analysis and makes a masterful delivery of Reformed apologetics. The third way is through his hermeneutical principle: a ‘good theological rule of thumb’, he writes, ‘if a doctrine contradicts the teaching of Scripture, it is automatically outside orthodox Christianity belief. If a doctrine contradicts the implicit teaching of Scripture and the explicit declaration of an ecumenical council … this is also outside orthodox Christian belief’ (p. 71). A close reading of the book will show that it is no ‘small contribution to the doctrine of the person of Christ’, even though ‘it is physically small by comparison to a number other books on the topic’ (p. ix). What it lacks in physical volume, it makes up with its ambitious design, depth, effective delivery, and conceptual precision.