Jesus and the God of Classical Theism: Biblical Christology in Light of the Doctrine of God

“Over the past two centuries, theologians and biblical scholars alike have questioned the usefulness of concepts like aseity, simplicity, immutability, nature, and substance for Christian reflection on the God of Israel and the person of Jesus. Steven Duby counters that these concepts can play a truly ‘ministerial’ role in the life of the church by helping to defend the intelligibility and coherence of biblical teaching. Through exacting semantic and logical analysis, Jesus and the God of Classical Theism shows how the judicious use of metaphysical categories, far from obscuring or distorting Scripture’s message, might enhance our understanding of it.”

“Duby offers a true gift to modern discussions of Christology, grounding categories and discussions from systematic theology in biblical scholarship. This thorough yet continually engaging book is a must-read for those wanting an overview and update on any of the topics covered.”

“In the name of a biblically authentic understanding of Christ and the Trinity, modern theology has often cheerfully discarded the classical Christian commitment to God’s transcendence—to the ways God is not like us—without counting the cost. Written from an ecumenically alert Reformed point of view, this book will interest and stimulate theologians who share its author’s conviction that a truly biblical Christology cannot do without a vigorous affirmation of God’s eternity, immutability, and impassibility. Even more, one hopes, it will interest those who do not.”

“This helpful book details the biblical basis and conceptual coherence of traditional Christologies. Along the way, Steve Duby provides a thorough primer on numerous aspects of classical theism and the modern debates it has generated.”

“Steve Duby shows that the doctrine of God as interpreted by early, medieval, and post-Reformation orthodox theologians illumines our reading of the scriptural presentation of the incarnate Son. In so doing he helps demonstrate the christological payoff to concepts like immutability, impassibility, eternality, and even the simplicity of God. If the incarnation is the ultimate test case for biblical metaphysics, Duby shows that many have wrongly found the God of so-called classical theism to be evangelically implausible.”