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The Incarnate Lord
A Thomistic Study in Christology
Thomistic Ressourcement Series
Imprint: Catholic University of America Press
In recent years, Thomistic thought has seen a noteworthy revival, especially in the domain of systematic and historical theology. This resurgence of interest in Aquinas' thought is beginning to significantly affect the shape of academic theology as well as ecumenical theology. Yet there exists no serious study of Thomistic Christology, especially in dialogue with major themes in modern Christology. The Incarnate Lord, then, considers central themes in Christology from a metaphysical perspective. Particular attention is given to the hypostatic union, the two natures of Christ, the knowledge and obedience of Jesus, the passion and death of Christ, his descent into hell, and resurrection. A central concern of the book is to argue for the perennial importance of ontological principles of Christology inherited from patristic and scholastic authors. However, the book also seeks to advance an interpretation of Thomistic Christology in a modern context. The teaching Aquinas, then, is central to the study, but it is placed in conversation with various modern theologians, such as Karl Barth, Karl Rahner and Hans Urs von Balthasar. Ultimately the goal of the work is to suggest how traditional Catholic theology might thrive under modern conditions, and also develop fruitfully from engaging in contemporary controversies. The first part of the book, then, examines the ontology of the hypostatic union, the grace and human nature of Christ, the analogical similitude of the human and divine natures of Jesus, and the human knowledge and obedience of Christ. The second part of the book considers the obedient self-offering of Christ, his cry of dereliction,suffering and death, as well as his descent into hell, and physical resurrection. The conclusion of the book provides a systematic reflection on the nature of Christology as a theoretical and historical discipline.
THOMAS JOSEPH WHITE, OP is at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC.
"this book would find its home in institutions providing gradute or post-graduate level work in the area of Catholic studies"
~Garrett Trott, Catholic Library World
"It is an excellent contribution to recent work on the person and work of Christ, written in a clear, accessible style…White puts forward a constructive case for a modern Christology that is, indeed, heavily indebted to the Angelic Doctor, with whose work White is masterfully familiar."
~Adonis Vidu, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, MA, Theological Studies
"This closely reasoned and clearly written collection of essays… presents an invaluable perspective upon many of the crucial issues debated in contemporary Christology. As one would expect, White shows an intimate familiarity with the thought of Aquinas. But he has also read carefully and deeply in modern and contemporary Christologies. His knowledge of Schleiermacher and Barth, Rahner and Schillebeeckx, von Balthasar, Pannenberg, and Moltmann is impressive. The volume as a whole is exceptionally well-crafted... the book provides excellent material for a doctoral seminar in Christology, compelling both instructor and students to come to grips with their own positions and their spiritual and pastoral implications in this most crucial of theoligical disciplines."
~Robert Imbelli, Boston College, Theological Studies
"This will become the textbook for courses on contemporary Christology for the forseeable future… It is clear, receptive, unhurried, irenic, and encyclopedic… [White] offers his readers an incisive account of these contrasting positions that makes his text uniquely valuable and pleasurable to read... White gives us a complete and definitive treatment of the issues concerned; his book will become the standard reference for decades to come."
~Patrick Madigan, Heythrop Journal
"Fr. White, one of the brightest of a new generation of Thomas interpreters, explores a range of topics in this text…. He is in fact putting his finger on a shift that has had a huge impact on the life of the post-conciliar Church."
~Bishop Robert Barron, Word on Fire
"The Catholic Press Association deemed White's volume best theology book of the year. Garrigou-Lagrange would smile in approval."
~William P. Loewe, CUA, Horizons: The Journal of the College Theology Society
"Thomas Joseph White's substantial volume sets forth ambitious goals in ten chapters framed with substantial introductory and concluding discussions… Students and scholars of Thomas Aquinas, Scholastic Christology, modern theology, kenotic Christologies, and many others will find much of enduring value in this impressive monograph."
~Corey L. Barnes, The Thomist
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