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Christology (Confessional Luthern Dogmatics Series, Volume 6)

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Having studied under David Scaer, I have come to appreciate his insights and his dedication to the confession of the Christian faith. He is a man who leaves no stone unturned, who questions traditional views yet always finds a way to support and teach what Scripture says and what the Church has always taught. Most importantly, Dr. Scaer does not locate his theological security in the ability to re-hash what everyone else said before, nor does he assume that his experiences of Christianity are normative simply because they are his own. Rather, Dr. Scaer questions his own views and subordinates them to the person, words and work of Jesus.

These qualities in the writer provide for a solid presentation of the Lutheran understanding of Christology. For those of you who may be reading this review and are not yet familiar with this term, let me explain: Christology is the study of Christ's person and work as the Scriptures describe Him. Particularly, the Person of Jesus is a phrase used to speak about the fact that Jesus is truly 100% God at the same time as truly 100% man, with distinctions but no divisions between the two natures. Christ's work concentrates on the area of His atonement for all sin on the cross, His justification of sinners, His Resurrection, His life, His teachings, etc.

Many things make this book valuable. First, Dr. Scaer tries to address modern heresies on their own ground. Instead of providing an alternate framework to posit questions, Dr. Scaer tries to argue from the inside out - and then watches as the faulty arguments fall under their own weight. He engages the Quest for the Historical Jesus, 20th century theologians of all kinds, and current views. At the same time, Scaer addresses the theological differences between various groups (ex: the classic tensions between historical Lutheranism and historical Calvinism).

Second, though this book is short, it condenses a great amount of thought into it. In many ways, Scaer's books are like springboards for new and deeper considerations. For example, Scaer comments on the Calvinist Christological view that the finite flesh of the man Jesus is incapable of the infinite Son of God, and so (acc. to some Calvinists) the Son can also be found outside the Man. Lutherans have always asserted that this Calvinist view denies the Incarnation, but Scaer brings up some more points to consider. "If the finite is intrinsically incapable of entering into union with the infinite, then the finite has the possibility of being an obstacle to the infinite, and thereby, at this one point, superior to it" (pg. 26).

Here is another thought: "The crucifixion, more than any other moment in the history of the world, or Israel, or even of the life of Jesus, is the greatest manifestation of God's essence. It is not without purpose that the first two evangelists concentrate the testimonies that Jesus is God's Son in the moment of the cross (Mt 27:40, 43, 54, Mk 15:39). The cross is an affirmation of God's triune essence and not incidental to it. Only when God is thought of in majestic and transcendental categories and not in terms of love and compassion is the cross with its suffering a contradiction or paradox" (pg. 75).

In summary, I strongly recommend this book. The language may be challenging at times for the inexperienced (but such is the case with many good theological books... the best way to learn the language is to start reading). Scaer organizes his material around the themes of the Creed. A thorough book for its size and one that I will continue to read.

"Christology" by David P. Scaer will make an excellent addition to you library on Christology. The book is short, only about 100 pages. It is not a complete systematic treatment of Christology in one volume. Rather, this book works well as a supplement to an older text you may have. In this book Scaer brings an interesting and timely commentary to the discussion on Christology.

This is an excellent apologetic work against those who wish to convolute the historic, Christian, and Lutheran doctrine of Christ. He especially focuses on controversies over the last one hundred years. The chapter headings are as follows:
1. Christology in the Post-Enlightenment Era
2. Past and Present Christological Controversies
3. The Preexistence and Incarnation of the Son of God
4. The Virgin Birth of Christ
5. Christology in the Preaching of Jesus
6. The Implications of the Personal Union: The Offices of Christ and the Communication of Attributes
7. The Sacrificial Death of Christ
8. Christ's Decent into Hell
9. The Resurrection of Christ
10. The Ascension and Second Coming of Christ

This book is excellent for:
1. Lutherans who want a supplement to an older Christology text such as "The Two Natures in Christ" by Martin Chemnitz, "Biblical Christology" by John Schaller, or "Christian Dogmatics" Volume 2 by Francis Pieper.
2. Anyone from the reformed tradition who wants to know about the difference between Lutheran Christology and other popular views.
3. Anyone interested in polemics or apologetics. Dr. David P. Scaer is a first rate apologist when it comes to Christology.

If you are interested in this book or Lutheran Christology I would also recommend:
1. "The Two Natures of Christ" by Martin Chemnitz for a much more complete treatment of the doctrine of Christ.
2. "What do you think of Jesus?" by David P. Scaer. This is another concise but powerful apologetic that contends for the true doctrine of Christ.
3. "Martin Luther's Doctrine of Christ" by Ian D. Kingston Siggins.
4. "Biblical Christology: A Study in Lutheran Dogmatics" by John Schaller

David Scaer is a professor at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics Series seeks to re-present the historic, orthodox understanding of various points of Lutheran doctrine, not because this doctrine has changed, but rather because the critiques of Lutheran doctrine have changed or resurfaced. "Christology" is a modern defense of the Lutheran proclamation of Christ and critique of competing views.

In presenting the Lutheran understanding of Christ, Scaer frequently appeals to Scripture, the historic Creeds (Apostles, Nicene, Athanasian), and the various works contained in the Book of Concord, as he interacts with competing doctrines of Christ, new and old.

The outline of the book begins with an examination of the various competing theories in chronological order from when they gained prominence (along with a brief critique of these theories), then follows the general outline of the Apostles/Nicene Creeds (pre-existance, incarnation, ministry, death, descent into hell, Ascension, imminent return). Throughout, the Lutheran understanding is contrasted with modern "spiritualizers" of Christ, Calvinists, and others.

Yet "Christology" is not simply an iconoclastic critique of all things non-Lutheran. Scaer builds up a compelling view of such challenging theological concepts as the dual nature of Christ (true God and true man), the presence of the Trinity in Christology, the Descent into Hell, the Incarnation, the Vicarious Atonement, and what it means for Christ to be "seated at the right hand of God."

While the book is short (only 108 pages), it is certainly not a book that can be adequately read in one or two sittings. Scaer packs an awful lot of logic and theology into this book. While a degree of Reformation and post-reformation history is necessary, as is a basic understanding of theological terms, Scaer does manage to avoid excessive technical language (and even foreign language) so that the book is more accessible.

The ideal audience for the book is a seminary student or pastor as each is possesses (or at least should!) an understanding of Scripture and the characteristics of various denominations. It can best be used as a stand-alone text book in a systematics class, a book from which to launch a thorough study of Christology, or a supplemental work to gain a fuller understanding of orthodox Christology in a context of competing ideas.

Recommended.

All theology is Christology! The battle cry of Dr. Scaer. And true it is, that all revolves around one's answer: And who do you say Jesus is?

Many want to skip over this ever so quickly, answering that of course we all agree that He is the Savior, the Lord. But what does this mean?

Dr. Scaer is not one prone to such. His work seeks not to be an exercise in historical theology, but rather a contempary dogmatics on the topic. He contends that the greatest challenge comes from the field of NT studies, where he himself is a student and published author.

He makes sharp, pointed statements which are supported by exegetical evidence and historical precedents,e.g. "For those who have no firm confidence in the historicity of Jesus, a true Christology is impossible."

Particularly well done is the chapter "The Preexistence and Incarnation of The Son of God." Taking on the inadequate Christologies of the historical critics and the Reformed et al, Scaer contributes to this vital doctrine with erudite writing, e.g. "The prinicple of the incapability of the finite to be joined to or associate with the infinite attacks the heart of Christianity as a religion of God's salvidic revelation and easily unravels any meaningful Christology."

Scaer is a profound exegete, researcher and wordsmith. This brief but engaging discourse on Christology is a worthy contribution to modern dogmatics. This comment illustrates: "Thus the Resurrection is neither simply an event which happened nor merely the act of an all powerful God desiring to express His soverign will, but the final expression of what it means to call God life and the One who makes alive (Jn. 5:21-29).

All who are interested to keep Christ at the center of the faith will benefit from usage of this sixth volume in the Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics Series from the Luther Academy.