Union with Christ: In Scripture, History, and Theology

by Robert Letham

Union with Christ is the central truth of the whole biblical teaching about salvation. The entirety of our relationship with God can be summed up in this doctrine.

Yet when people ask what this union actually is, we flounder.

The incarnation shows that God has made us to be united with him, and God has given us his Word to enable us to understand the nature of this union. Explore this doctrine from Scripture with Robert Letham, along with some help from the church fathers up through modern theologians.

Genres: Theology, Christian

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2011

About the author

Robert Letham (MAR, ThM, Westminster Theological Seminary; PhD, Aberdeen University) is professor of systematic and historical theology at Union School of Theology in Bridgend, Wales, and the author of a number of books, including The Lord's Supper and Union with Christ.

Reviews

[Joe Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boring but helpful

[Andrzej Stelmasiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars is not bad. To read 140 pages took me 4 hours and two sittings - it reads quickly, as Letham plays it really safe here, not exploring new grounds, it's your typical systematic theology stuff repeated in a book form, so the same content but not as concise for the obvious reason.
The most enjoyable thing in the book was that chapter where he wrote on the Union with Christ and our transformation, particularly looking at theosis in Athanasius + Cyril of Alexandria and later on in Calvin.
He relies often on a secondary sources (but, what is good, is that he likes what Richard Muller wrote!), and likes to reference his other works. When he doesn't, it will be repeated stuff from his 'Through Western Eyes'.
And he is perhaps too quick with suggesting closet Nestorianism at times - even if he is right that particular view may lead to that conclusion, he should be more charitable towards people.
It made me smile when I've read the very last paragraph in the book - unashamedly evangelistic.
Glad I have read it, glad that someone has kindly lent it to me - as this would not be a keeper.

[Ray Clendenen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book. For someone interested in historical theology and especially in what the reformed tradition has taught about the doctrine of union with Christ, this is a great book. Unfortunately, my interest is primarily in what the Bible says. He speaks to this, but most of the book is more theological than biblical in nature (not to imply that I find no value in "theology" per se). So I'm glad I read the book, and I got some good stuff out of it. But I'm not excited about it. I benefited more from Garner's Sons in the Son and Johnson's One with Christ.

[Jared Donis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this relatively small volume, Professor Letham packs a powerful elaboration of our union wit Christ. He clarified key points for me. Every chapter is rich and admittedly tough to go through. It was a slow read, but in a good way that encourages one to keep notes and read carefully. He ended the book with a passionate plea. I must repeat it here:

This is more than an academic question. It is greater than life and death. How tragic if, after reading this, you—the reader—are not united to Christ. If this is so, the outlook, in the face of death, is—as Paul says—hopeless (1 Thess. 4:13). If you are not united to Christ and all we have said is a purely academic exercise, please consider your situation, believe in Christ, and serve him with all that is in you by the help of the Holy Spirit.

God bless you, R. Letham.

[Eric Yap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite it being a relatively short book, this is one of the most challenging book on soteriology I have ever read. It pulls together all the gaps that I’ve read from other books on soteriology (Ferguson’s The Whole Christ, Murray’s Redemption Accomplished and Applied, Gaffin’s By Faith not by Sight) as well as academic journals/debates that explore the tension/relationship between Union with Christ and the Ordo Salutis (think WTS Phila vs Westminster Cali, Tipton vs Horton). I definitely need to revisit some of the chapters as I am either not fully convinced or fully comprehended the nuances, but Letham has postulated a rather comprehensive doctrine of union with Christ, demonstrating the interdependence of Christology (i.e. incarnation/hypostatic Union) and Soteriology. That said, this was more of historical-theological (Letham draws upon the Chalcedonian’s Christology, Calvin, Polanus, the reformed confessions, Eastern Orthodoxy’s theosis) rather than a biblical-exegetical treatment(perhaps a demonstration of how Union correlates with covenantal theology could add to the depth of biblical theology in this book), still, a magisterial work in a small book.

[Rylan S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some good insights but really struggles organizationally and gets bogged down by extended historical-theological sections. At times relies far more on Reformed thinkers than on the biblical text itself.

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding work on a topic that has been much neglected over recent years. Letham's strength lies in his ability to weave together strong Bible exegesis, theological preciseness, and a helpful review of how the church has interpreted the Scriptures on the topic. He does well to draw off not only the classic reformed theologians but more recent work on Union with Christ by Richard Gaffin and Lane Tipton. Though not intended exactly for this purpose his book is an apologetic towards criticisms from Muslims and liberals regarding the injustice of penal substitution through linking the reality of union with Christ (page 62-65 are extremely helpful on this subject). I found it also helpful how he clarifies the Greek Orthodox position on participation in the divine nature. Though this is a scholarly work more suitable for the seminary student or pastor, his work is with the goal towards worship and a call to respond even as he ends the book highlighting "how tragic if, after reading this, you-the reader-are not united to Christ." (page 141).

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but very good book on the theological concept of union with Christ. Letham lays out the Biblical data around each aspect of this concept, then examines some of the Reformed teachings on the subject - mostly but not exclusively Calvin.
I appreciated Letham's discussion around theosis and the Eastern Church, and how there has been some significant misunderstanding of that concept in the Protestant church. I also really loved the pastoral sense in which Letham describes the many benefits the believer receives through union with Christ. While this book certainty has an academic feel to it, anyone with an interest in Christian salvation will get a lot out of reading this.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This scholarly and theological look at what it means to be in union with Christ was a great read while approaching Easter Sunday. If you’re looking for a novel concept, you won’t find it here - save perhaps for a comparison of the East’s concept of deification/theosis and the Reformed concept of how one is, at once, both saved and being saved (which he treats with significant historical analysis - demonstrating that this is actually not a very novel concept at all). Letham carefully reminds readers that, apart from our union with Christ, we have no hope. Ultimately, this is a book about the person and work of Christ with special attention given to His role as the new and better Adam.

[Thomas Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Scholarly, historical, and biblical. One should not enter into reading it lightly, as there is much theological weight presented. Discernment will be required when approaching varying views. Nevertheless, Letham synthesizes and summarizes the perspectives very clearly outlines his points consistently throughout. While doing so, he reinvigorates the modern church with a vastly neglected doctrine of the utmost importance; one that undergirds the hope of every Christian; and that which is found at the root of the Gospel itself. Highly recommended!

[Mark A Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Union. This is one of the most emphatic and repeated ways Scripture explains the Christian’s relationship with Christ. Letham examines this idea from biblical, historical, and theological perspectives. His work is well-researched and presented in a well-structured manner.

Particularly helpful is his evaluation of why the mystical aspects of union with Christ have often been overlooked (if not outright neglected) by Western Protestant scholarship in the last two centuries.

There is much of benefit here, and it is worthy of careful (and prayerful) consideration.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letham spins the Greek image-likeness into First and Second Adam. All of humanity shares the image with First Adam. Christ, the Second Adam, is also the image of God. Regenerate humanity participates in this image. Letham tries to claim this is what the Greek Fathers said, but he doesn’t offer any references and it doesn’t appear that they said this. They said all of humanity is created in the image but must achieve the likeness of God. I like Letham’s proposal. I just don’t think this is what the Greek Fathers said.

The Holy Spirit unites us to Christ (48). He is the agent of the indwelling (Jn. 14:20). Letham notes that the Holy Spirit makes a permanent residence (mone) within us (50). Quoting the English Puritan Rowland Stedman, he notes, "There are 'two great bonds or ligaments' of this union. On Christ's part, he dwells in believers by his Spirit. On their part they apprehend Christ by faith and 'take him home, as it were, unto themselves'" (Letham, 51, quoting Stedman, The Mystical Union of Believers with Christ, or A Treatise Wherein that Great Mystery and Privilege of the Saints Union with the Son of God is Opened (London: W. R. for Thomas Parkhurst, at the Golden-Bible on London-Bridge, under the gate, 1668), 121. Wing/ 335:13).

"There is a legal aspect to union with Christ" (57). He introduces the theme of corporate solidarity: Josh. 7:1-26). "Individuals are not identified in isolation: they are A the son of B the son of C of the tribe of D" (58).

Humans remain human while deified. “It is union and communion with the persons of the Trinity” (92). While Letham is giving the East a fair reading, it must be acknowledged that the Palamite strands of Eastern Orthodoxy revert to an impersonal, energetic union. See the comments by Vladimir Moss. Romanides writes, “But in Patristic tradition, God is not a personal God. In fact, God is not even God. God does not correspond to anything we can conceive or would be able to conceive,” Patristic Theology (Uncut Mountain Press: Dalles, Oregon, 2008), pp. 139-140.

What is truly meant by the Athanasian claim that “man becomes God?” According to Norman Russell, “It is either to emphasize the glorious destiny originally intended for the human race, or to explain that the biblical references to ‘gods’ do not encroach upon the uniqueness of the Word made flesh” (Letham 92-93, quoting Norman Russell, The Doctrine of Deification in the Greek Patristic Tradition, 168). If that is all that is meant, then the Reformed tradition has no real argument, but would better see that under the teaching of “glorification.”

Metochoi (Partakers): we are called to glory. This is not alien to Reformed thought but sometimes it doesn’t receive enough attention. It would be interesting to link this with the OT concept of the glory-cloud. Points to our destiny.

Letham then quotes numerous sources (almost to overkill) pointing out that the Reformed had a rich and nuanced appreciation of Union with Christ (102-122).

Per Calvin, the Spirit unites the spatial difference between us and Christ in the Eucharist (Comm., 11 Corinthians; CO, 49:487, in Letham, 105; see also Institutes, 4.17.10). “That a life-giving power from the flesh of Christ is poured into us through the medium of the Spirit, even though it is at a great distance from us, and is not mixed with us.” Here Letham seems to contradict part of his narrative. He notes (correctly) for Calvin that we participate in God’s attributes, not his being (107). However, earlier he said that the Greek (Palamite?) view does not see theosis as participation in God’s attributes (92, “Nor, on the other hand, is it simply communion with God’s attributes.” If, however, Letham means for the East that the communion with the persons is also a communion with the attributes, then there is no real contradiction. Even still, I have my doubts that the East can truly avoid collapsing the communion with the Persons into a communion with the energies (see comments by Moss, Romanides, and Jenson).

Contra detractors, Calvin affirms that the body and blood of Christ are substantially offered. He simply explains the mode: the Holy Spirit transfuses the flesh of Christ to us (Theological Treatises, 267). We just reject a local presence.

Letham is aware of the Nestorian charge and sense that Calvin drifted there at times, given his comments on 1 Corinthians 15:27-28. But see Richard Muller’s response to Jurgen Moltmann on that point.
Per Polanus there is a real sacramental union and a conjunction between signum and res.

While there are suggestions that Calvin was close to the East, I think Letham overplays that point (115). However, Letham is correct to criticize Michael Horton’s claim that we participate in the energies of Christ (Horton, Covenant and Salvation, 285, 302). The East does not mean by energies what Horton means by it.

Conclusion:
I've listed some of my criticisms above so I won't repeat them here. The book is short, focused, and easy to read. There is a lot of repetition, sometimes almost whole chapters, from every one of his earlier works (!), which admittedly made it easier to read if you have already read those other works. As usual, Letham represents mature, balanced scholarship.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can a book expounding on such a wonderful topic—union with Christ—be so dry and uninspiring? I don’t know, but Mr. Latham managed it. This is basically a treatise on the development of the doctrine of union with Christ through the discussion of the works of various theologians through history. The book would’ve been better if he had included a chapter or two on personal application.

[Darryl Burling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good general introduction to Union with Christ

When some of the historical arguments might seem esoteric and irrelevant, Letham does a good job explaining these and how they relate to Union with Christ.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. Must filter through the EO influence..

[Cullen Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Letham but this was one of his drier works, considering the livelihood of the topic. Helpful, but with a fair bit of repetition.

[Joshua Pannell · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accessible introduction to systematic theology with union as the central image.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a pretty standard Reformed overview of how to understand union with Christ Biblically. Here are the places where the book shines:
• Letham is one of the better Trinitarian scholars in the western church, and so approaches his study of union with Christ by first examining the unity of the persons of the trinity. This is a great way to start out a study like this.
• His historical survey is helpful. It’s always good to see how the church has dealt with things before to avoid mistakes. Letham is pretty well-read and gives a good representative picture of the theology of union with Christ as it has developed through the centuries.
• He has a particularly helpful section on theosis, otherwise known as deification. Because he’s conversant with the Trinitarian theology of the eastern church, he has some helpful clarifications on what deification is about. I thought this was where the book shined the brightest.

There are some negatives about the book. For one thing, it does not live up to Letham’s previous works. It almost feels like he was bored writing it. I had to really push myself to get through it for the hum-drum nature of his writing in this one. The other thing I found a little frustrating was that he hints very subtly at some fascinating theological insights, but hardly gets into them. For example, he has an insight into Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6, which talks about the call of “abba, father”. He writes, “the Holy Spirit is poured into our hearts and gives us the knowledge of our own adoption as sons, whether we are Jews (abba) or Gentiles (patêr).” That’s all he wrote! I have never heard these verses explained in this way before, and it would be helpful to see him tease out the implications of this little phrase. I’m sad that this is not the only instance of that kind of let-down.

Overall it’s a good book, but probably not one I will be interested in again.

[Ted Sadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Union with Christ examines the subject of union with Christ through history and scripture, examining the theological explanations of it from a variety of perspectives. Beginning with what Letham believes to be the largest acts of God in history--Creation, the Incarnation, and the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost--he demonstrates how man's union with Christ was established and changed by each of those events.
Letham spends the larger portion of the book detailing the interpretations (especially among Reformed theologians) and implications of our union with Christ in his representation of man, transformation of man, and the death/resurrection of himself and his elect with him.

The implications of being united to Christ in his Spirit extend from the beginning of time to the end. The most potent themes in Letham's work likely include the subjects of election and glorification (or deification, if you're inclined). To me, the strongest and most fascinating portion involved Letham's examination of the elect's deification through history, both the Eastern understanding of it and the West's misunderstanding. Here, he shows what the East meant compared to what the West understood and demonstrated how the subject had been correctly understood and taught by several Reformers, especially Calvin.

In all, Union is a tremendous work packed into a short read that I would recommend to anyone pursuant of theology. The weight of Letham's writing requires a lot of thought, so I would not recommend it as an afternoon read. However, Union would make an excellent addition to anyone's library, especially those curious on the subject of union with Christ as it's been treated through Scripture and history.

[Chris Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top notch! Robert Letham has written a very important book on a fascinating subject: Union With Christ. At times, swept aside by some Reformed folks in favor of doctrines such as justification and the atonement - which are perceived by many to be primary - union with Christ is, in some way, an even more foundational and important concept as it encompasses all the benefits of salvation rather than just a single aspect such as sanctification or adoption.

The real meat of the book is the chapter on the doctrine of theōsis. What is "theōsis?" "Theōsis is the understanding that human beings can have real union with God, and so become like God to such a degree that we participate in the divine nature. Primarily a term found in Eastern Orthodox, from the Greek meaning deification or making divine, theōsis is a concept derived from the New Testament regarding the goal of our relationship with the Triune God. The terms theōsis and deification may therefore be used interchangeably in this context." (from Theopedia) Letham also explores how Calvin held a similar view to Eastern Orthodox with regards to theōsis - although Calvin's view was more nuanced in latter years - possibly due to pressure from Lutherans. Calvin's firm commitment to the doctrine of union with Christ may explain his development of a real participation of and true presence of his understanding of Christ in the Lord's Supper.

Letham breathes new life into a concept largely ignored by many in the Reformed community. I highly recommend this book for those interested in a more robust understanding of biblical salvation.

[Todd Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite good and very helpful. My primary complaint is that it is not as developed as Letham's earlier work on the Trinity. There were many sections that begged for further development, elaboration, or explanation. This was particularly true of his chapter on transformation. What Letham wrote is very helpful and thought provoking. I would have appreciated him to delve further into sanctification and how union with Christ effects such transformation. The strength of the book, in my opinion, is his treatment of the hypostatic union and how Christ's dual natures make possible union with Christ and all the benefits won by Christ. For those seeking to understand the biblical emphasis on being "in Christ" as something more than a collocation of words involving a preposition, I strongly recommend this book.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is obviously an offshoot from his research for his book on the Trinity. It doesn't have the impact that his Trinity book does but is still a fascinating work. It is amazing to me to see these doctrines worked out over time and then be held to tenuously by a few faithful theologians during times of heretical push. The best sections were discussion on the hypostatic union (Christ the Son's union with man via his union with the soul and flesh of Jesus) and that of deification of believers and the Eastern and Western ideas of that. The sections on baptism and the Lord's Supper were also really good and I'd like to read more on those topics. I had to read quite slowly to take in some of the ideas. It is also amazing how important these deeper theological aspects of Christianity are for the believer in practical everyday life.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful in understanding the depths of our union with Christ and the doctrine's importance.

The most surprising idea in the book was that of theosis, a doctrine mostly found in the Eastern Orthodox church. The idea behind theosis is that we are so unified with Christ that we take part in his divinity, as seen in 2 Peter 1:3–4: "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature." (ESV) Or as Augustine put it in a sermon on Psalm 82: "Vult enim Deus non solum vivificare, sed etiam deificare nos" (For God wants not only to give us life, but also to deify us).

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trinitarian and faithful to the title as the content was historical, scriptural, and theological--though it felt more historical and theological than scriptural. This would certainly be of help to anyone wanting to work thought the key texts dealing with union in Christ, but one may need to look elsewhere for pastoral applications. More academic than pastoral, but nonetheless still a stabilizing read as one reflects on such a incomprehensible, soul-anchoring reality.

[John Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great defense of the doctrine of union with Christ. Letham constructs his doctrine of union pulling from patristic and modern sources as well as drawing out scriptural implications of union. His previous work on the Lord's Supper, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Trinity can be seen in this work. Great resource on the Reformed doctrine of union.

[Dave Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letham does a wonderful job outlining the historical and theological aspects of the doctrine of union with Christ. I found him to be warm and delightfully funny at times. The book is a bit shorter than other works on the topic which makes it more accessible for the average reader.

[Charlie · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://sacredpage.wordpress.com/2012/...

[Michael Philliber · Rating 4 out of 5]

overall a great piece of work. A bit flat in places, but all together it soars! I also appreciated Letham's interaction between Union with Christ and the Eastern Orthodox doctrine of *theosis*.

[Benjamin Glaser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not really sure what to think about this book. It seemed disjointed, poorly edited, but the content is good. Wish I could say more, but I just have a "meh" feeling after reading it.

[David B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and hugely important book. Wish everyone would read it. Not perfect, but with this topic there are gems everywhere.