As I write this review the din surrounding Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ' continues to increase. Whether one applauds the film for its purported faithfulness to Gospel texts or laments it as a tragic instance of Christian anti-semitism, the movie-at the very least-has ignited questions on the person of Jesus Christ within the church and beyond. Amid the cacophony appears Tatha Wiley's wise and provocative volume, gathering eleven prominent Roman Catholic theologians of our time. Reading it adds clarity to the issues of Gibson's movie and poses challenges for the church's confession of Christ as Lord in light of historic abuses. The book's movement follows the threefold pattern of recovering classical Christology, naming its blind spots, and reconstructing doctrine for a North American context. Wiley's splendid introduction suggests 'there have always been many Christologies' (7). Her essay focuses chiefly on the contemporary challenges of articulating these many faces of Jesus and the salvation he brings....Wiley concludes her essay with a strong endorsement of ascending Christology, beginning with the historical events of 'Jesus' life, ministry, and effects on those around him' (18), and suggests that valuing history yields fruit as the church addresses issues of cultural diversity, religious pluralism, and sexism.... Though some pieces are more technical than others, the eleven essays that comprise Thinking of Christ are equally compelling. Amid the contention over what it means to confess Jesus as the Christ, this book is a welcome addition indeed. -Insights: The Faculty Journal of Austin Seminary * Insights *
'The essays are all clearly written and the wealth of endnotes provides a geography of the reflections of each theologian...The book would be a good resource in Christology courses...[it] has a very helpful Glossary of pertinent Christlogical terms, abundant notes and an index.' ~ Professor Susan Rakoczy, Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, vol. 125, July 2006. -- Professor Susan Rakoczy * Journal of Theology for Southern Africa *
This well-designed and beautifully laid-out book makes an important contribution to contemporary Christology. It begins with an excellent introduction to current discussion that sets the stage for the three parts that follow. The first part surveys the historical Jesus, the development of classical Christology, and the redemptive meaning of Christ. The second part looks at the way faith in Jesus Christ has been challenged by and developed in relation to concerns raised by the presence of other religions, feminist theologians, sensitivity to Anti-Semitism and post-colonial thought. The third part looks at the person and meaning of Christ from the perspectives of Mujerista theology, discipleship, and spirituality and ethics. Through a progression of first-rate chapters by well-known authors, this book unfolds an insightful, challenging and multifaceted understanding of Jesus' person and work from a variety of perspectives. Though written to be accessible for seminary students, each chapter adds to contemporary discussion. This book would make an excellent text for semester-length introductory courses in Christology while also being useful for scholars in the field.-Religious Studies Review * Religious Studies Review *
