The Person of Christ

by Donald MacLeod

Book Overview

Throughout the history of the church the doctrine of the person of Christ has been a centerpiece of theological reflection. In The Person of Christ Donald Macleod rearticulates this multifaceted doctrine. He begins with the New Testament and recent attempts to understand its Christology. Macleod then turns his attention to Christ in the history of Christian theology, examining the principal issues extending from Arianism in the fourth century...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830815376
• ISBN13: 9780830815371
• Release Date: November 1998
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Length: 303 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Helpful, but prepare yourself before reading

This book has serious highs and lows. First off, this book functions far better as an apologetic to the historic orthodox position of the person of Christ within Christians that believe the Bible. So, if someone is looking for a defense against various attacks such as on the incarnation, virgin birth, or the uniqueness of Christ, this may in fact be the book for you. It begins with a helpful reason to start with a "Christology from Above" which will probably shape the way I think from now on in a very good way. His apologetic for the virgin birth (chapter one) is probably worth the price of the book, and to be quite honest seemed like the high point for me. His explanation of Perichoresis I found to be especially helpful and in fact transforming of my understanding of the Trinity. His consistent return to the work of Christ on the cross, especially the humility of the incarnation was also a strength. MacLeod also explains and describes Kenosis in a Biblical and helpful way. All of that to say, it has several weaknesses. One, it's pretty technical- this is not for the first time Systematic reader. Two, MacLeod's set up as an apologetic against higher criticism and theological liberalism gets old after a while, where I would have better appreciated longer expositions on the Bible's teaching of the doctrines and shorter interaction with critics, but it is a necessary evil sometimes. And three, and this may be related to the first two, it is written in an informative matter but is pretty dry. Overall, however, this book is probably worth reading for most people as we seek to learn more about our precious Savior and how we can worship Him better.

Outstanding

When you hear lectures or read books on Christology, you often wonder "what is the relevance of Eutychianism and Monophysitism, and all the other isms?" Christology often seems a morass of dullness, and those who teach it seem incapable of showing how precious it is. Macleod glories in Christology. He seems to have written the book as the Puritans used to say, with "logic on fire with worship." There is both light and heat here, and it is a delight to read. Chapters start out discussing ancient or modern errors and end up with in-depth and poignant statements of the truth from Scripture. As an example of poignancy, consider page 180: "One final point may be made in connection with the humanity of Christ: he came into, and shared, our environment. This too is made plain in John 1:14. He dwelt among us. This involved the most complete sharing of our experiences on the part of the Son of God, accentuated by the fact that he chose not simply to be born, but to be born in a low condition. Hence the 'low estate' of his mother (Luke 1:48). Hence the manger. Hence the flight to Egypt. Hence Nazareth. Hence the homelessness (Matt. 8:20). Hence the penury which has no money to pay the temple tax (Matt. 17:24ff) and no place to celebrate the Passover. Hence the reputed lack of learning and the scorn of the rulers (John 7:48f). . . . For the Son of God, the incarnation meant a whole new set of relationships: with his father and mother; with his brothers and sisters; with his disciples; with the Scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadduccees; with Roman soldiers and with lepers and prostitutes. It was within these relationships that he lived his incarnate life, experiencing pain, poverty and temptation; witnessing squalor and brutality; hearing obscenities and profanities and the hopeless cry of the oppressed. He lived not in sublime detachment or in ascetic isolation, but 'with us,' as 'the fellowman of all men,' crowded, busy, harassed, and molested. No large estate gave him space, no financial capital guaranteed his daily bread, no personal staff protected him from interruptions and no power or influence protected him from injustice. He saved us from alongside us." Behold how far the Son of God will go to love sinners! Macleod's book is full of good stuff like this in addition to scholarly refutation of liberal opinions. Read it to be informed about Christ as well as inflamed with love for Christ.

Perfect in Godhood, Kenosis- Perfect in Manhood

This book is an excellent argument that Jesus is very much God and very much man. What does it mean to be one of three persons in the Godhead, yet be one in essence? There is one God. Donald Macleod defends that Jesus always existed from eternity past (the preexistence of Jesus), the virgin birth, to be begotten- not made, the miracles of Jesus as recorded in the Bible, the redeeming nature of Jesus death, the redeeming nature of the resurrection, the importance of God becoming man, Jesus always stayed God, What does it mean that Jesus emptied himself, the Sinlessness of Jesus and its importance in redemption. Donald Macleod compares and debunks many false concepts of Jesus by other theologians. He uses theological terms and defines the words well. One need not be an academic to understand this book. I am trying to say the book is not a difficult read but neither would I recommend the book as introduction to these concepts, but as one who wants to get a fuller grasp. Anyone who presumes to train adults or teenagers should be able to understand this work and not find it to daunting to read. It is important to able to make arguments for the supernatural nature of God in the whole Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This book is an excellent argument against today's Postmodern Heresies. The author makes many arguments about past heresies in Church history about the nature of Jesus. An excellant argument about who Jesus is and what Jesus is not.

An extensive overview of Christological issues

This work is an extensive overview of christological issues and positions in the modern church while providing historical understandings, formulations and heresies. Donald Macleod then provides an evangelical response or critique to those positions that are not compatable with mainstream evangelical thought and argues for those positions that are associated with evangelicalism. Macleod takes opposing positions seriously and accurately portrays their concerns and central tenets. He is also willing to face the harshest critiques of his own positions. He answers those crituques when he can and acknoldeges the roles of presuppositions in every party's arguments. A very good introduction to the issues that in his own words is "but the mere beginning of a pilgrimage."