The Self-Donation of God: A Contemporary Lutheran Approach to Christ and His Benefits

by Jack D. Kilcrease, David P Scaer (Foreword)

Description: In The Self-Donation of God, Jack Kilcrease argues that the speech-act of promise is always an act of self-donation. A person who unilaterally promises to another is bound to take a particular series of actions to fulfill that promise. Being that creation is grounded in God's promising speech, the divine-human relationship is fundamentally one of divine self-donation and human receptivity. Sin disrupts this relationship and therefore redemption is constituted by a reassertion of divine promise of salvation in the face of the condemnation of the law (Gen 3:15). As a new and effective word of grace, the promise of a savior begins the process of redemption within which God speaks forth a new narrative of creation. In this new narrative, God gives himself in an even deeper manner to humanity. By donating himself through a promise, first to the protological humanity and then to Israel, he binds himself to them. At the end of this history of self-binding, God in Christ enters into the condemnation of the law, neutralizes it in the cross, and brings about a new creation through his omnipotent word of promise actualized in the resurrection. Endorsements: ""In this study, Jack Kilcrease offers a masterful, panoramic approach to Christology, thoroughly grounded in the Scriptures and in constant debate with the christological reflection of fellow Lutherans, the wider Catholic tradition, and modern and contemporary voices. All in all, this book testifies to the gospel as God's triumph of grace in the world."" --Mark Mattes, Grand View University ""Jack Kilcrease writes with clarity and precision; he is clearly at home in the classical primary sources (patristic writers, creedal and confessional documents, Luther, and the fathers of Lutheran orthodoxy). His methodology is marked by careful exegetical work and analysis, systematic exposition, and apologetic engagement. . . . Kilcrease writes as a classical and confessional Lutheran but with ecumenical awareness. The Self-Donation of God is comprehensive in scope and substance, dealing with all the loci associated with traditional christological discussions."" --John T. Pless, Concordia Theological Seminary About the Contributor(s): Jack Kilcrease (PhD Marquette University) is a layperson in the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Aquinas College and the Institute for Lutheran Theology.

Genres: Theology

328 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 2013

Reviews

[Bob Hiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful guide through Lutheran Christology. Maybe the best I’ve read on the topic.

[Stan Bartkus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the first 220 pages, so far. This IS NOT the kind of book you can speed read. I do 8-9 pages and my head needs to stop & digest.

My discussion group will tackle two more chapters each month.

[Alyosha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely fantastic given you have a bit of prior knowledge about Christology. There a remains a small amount of untranslated Latin (which should be easily Google-able) and interaction with some high-level scholarship.

This is very much a book about Christology and if you want a specifically Lutheran take on Christology (including a very good explanation of the three genera), then this would be my go-to. The eternal Word became Man and gave Himself *for you* so you might know that the only place from which you may be justified is to rest in passive reception of His self-donation.

[Richard Bicknase · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asking the vicar at my church for reading suggestions and he let me borrow this book he had purchased for a seminary class last year. I'm glad I took the suggestion.
This book does take a certain amount of effort to read, but it is more accessible than one might think looking at the bibliography and format.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really like genus majesticus now

[Mr Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on Christology.

[K B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good - worth your time to read

[Steve Bliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful work by Dr Kilcrease. I personally appreciated his thorough exploration of scripture-particularly the Old Testament-uncovering Christ all throughout.