Constructing an incarnational theology : a Christocentric view of God's purpose / Samuel Wells, King's College London.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wells, Samuel, 1965- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Church of England--Doctrines.

Church of England.

Anglican Communion--Doctrines.

Anglican Communion.

Incarnation.

Immanence of God.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 310 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, United Kingdom ; New York, NY, USA : Cambridge University Press, 2024.

Summary:

Why did Jesus come? The traditional argument is that he came to redeem us from sin and destroy death, and thus reverse the fall. Many have long found this unsatisfactory, because it centres human deficit, rather than divine abundance. In this study, Samuel Wells traces his notion of 'being with' right into the Trinity itself, and in dialogue with Maximus the Confessor, Duns Scotus and Karl Barth, among others, articulates a truly Christocentric theology in which God's means and God's ends are identical. In the process, Wells not only greatly expands the compass of 'being with,' showing its scriptural and doctrinal significance, but also offers a constructive account of the incarnation, cross and resurrection of Jesus that out-narrates conventional atonement theories. Wells correspondingly proposes an account of sin, evil, suffering and death that accords with this revised understanding. The result is a compelling and transformational proposal in incarnational theology.

Contents:

Cover

Half-title

Title page

Imprints page

Dedication

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction: Making the Story New

Part I The Story of God

1 An Incarnational Theology

The Story of God

A Different Story

2 The Scriptural Story

Covenant

Community

Communion

Inhibiting Covenant, Community and Communion

3 Being with God

Presence

Attention

Mystery

Delight

Participation

Partnership

Enjoyment

Glory

Part II An Emerging Story

4 Orthodox Foundations

Incarnation

Deification

Communion, Participation and Transfiguration

Gleanings

5 Medieval Debates

Reasons for the Incarnation

The Beautiful Song of Creation

Incarnation and Fulfilment

Glory and Election

6 Modern Developments

The Renaissance of the Question

Election and Incarnation

Reconciliation

Theological Anthropology

Evil, Sin and Death

Other Perspectives

Part III Reconfiguring the Story

7 God

The Trinity

The Trinity Being with the Trinity

8 God's Purpose

Creation

Eschatology

9 God's Unfolding Purpose

Israel

Church

God's Realm

10 God's Unbreakable Purpose

Passion and Crucifixion

Resurrection and Ascension

Evil, Sin, Suffering and Death

Conclusion: A Wondrous Story

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 10 Jan 2025).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781009492690

1009492691

9781009492676

1009492675

9781009492669

1009492667