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30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exemplar of lucid, organized brevity, January 19, 2004
The book does not presume to be an exhaustive study, but hopes to relate a simplified (not simplistic) account of NT Christology. There are four reasons why Father Brown has achieved his purpose:First, he is clear. The book does not leave the reader wondering what Christological options are among contemporary and outdated scholarship nor where he himself falls in that spectrum. Throughout the book he italizes the point he intends to communicate, and closes each chapter and section with the salient features communicated therein. Furthermore, Brown does not burden the reader with overly technical language, but writes with simplicity for the layperson. If he does use the language of scholarship, he always explains its meaning and import. Second, he is thoroughly organized, which provides the Christological neophyte with logical categories by which the information may be easily assimilated. There are points and subpoints, but never does he lose the reader in the minutae or become opaque. Third, he is brief. However, he is so without doing injustice to an admittedly complex and highly technical subject. He continually keeps in mind his introductory ambition, and consequently allows the recommended reading list at the close of the book to elucidate the subject. Fourth, R. Brown takes a moderately conservative approach, which allows him to moderate the subject to fundamentalists and liberals alike. Each will be challenged by his perspective. He accomplishes majestically his purpose, thereby offering a substantial work for the beginner.
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