Christology

Christology, A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Study of Jesus was written by Gerald O'Collins, and was published by Oxford Press in 2009. This book was assigned for the ILM course titled The Churches Understanding of God and Jesus. Perhaps the most important question that Jesus ever asked his disciples is “Who do you say that I am?” In this remarkable book Gerald O’Collins, the well known author of many volumes on Christological topics, addresses this central theological question in a way that articulates his own deep personal spirituality. The back cover says, "Clear and balanced, this book should be valued by any student reading systematic theology, anyone training for the ministry in all denominations, and well as interested general readers". However, it's not a book for the beginning student of Christology. It's a very tough read with very deep and complicated presentations of our understanding of who Jesus Christ was, and is.

The jacket says, "In this revised and updated second edition of his accessible account of systematic Christology, Gerald O'Collins critically examines the best biblical and historical scholarship before tackling head-on some key questions: does orthodox faith present Jesus the man as deficient and depersonalized? Is his sinlessness compatible with the exercise of a free human will? Does up-to-date exegesis challenge his virginal conception and personal resurrection? Can one reconcile Jesus' role as universal Savior with the truth and values to be found in other religions? What should the feminist movement highlight in presenting Jesus? This integral Christology is built around the resurrection of the crucified Jesus, highlights love as the key to redemption, and proposes a synthesis of the divine presence through Jesus.

The second edition includes fresh material on current discussions in the study of Christology: the use of 'near-death' and bereavement experiences as analogies to the post-resurrection appearances of Christ; contemporary philosophical theology and the case for the logical coherence of the Incarnation; the universal redemptive activity of Christ; and the place and possibilities of 'presence' as an organizing category in Christology."

Gerald O' Collins is Research Professor of Theology at St Mary's University College, Twickenham, and Honorary Adjunct Professor of Australian Catholic University. He has published, alone or with others, 47 books, including Jesus Our Redeemer, Salvation for All, and Catholicism (all OUP). Author of hundreds of articles in professional and popular journals, he has lectured at many universities and colleges in the British Isles, India, New Zealand, the United States, his native Australia, and elsewhere.