A Unitive Vision of the Person and Work of Christ with Oliver Crisp
Feb 14, 2017
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Oliver Crisp, a reformed theologian known for his insights on Christology and the atonement, shares his thoughts on the interconnectedness of atonement and incarnation. He advocates for a shift in focus from the cross to the incarnation, emphasizing unity in Christ’s person and work. Crisp also discusses his journey from artist to theologian, the influence of reformers like Luther and Calvin, and the importance of dialogue within Reformed theology. His new book, inspired by these themes, aims to enrich our understanding of salvation and human purpose.
Oliver Crisp emphasizes the inseparable connection between Christ's incarnation and atonement, advocating for a unified approach to understanding salvation history.
Crisp's personal journey from fine arts to theology highlights the influence of existential questions and foundational reformed thinkers on his academic path.
The podcast underscores the value of respectful dialogue across theological traditions, promoting a collaborative environment for exploring complex doctrinal issues.
Deep dives
The Intersection of Incarnation and Atonement
The podcast discusses the essential connection between the incarnation of Christ and the atonement, as outlined in Oliver Crisp's book, "The Word in Flesh." It emphasizes that the person of Christ and his work cannot be separated; they form a unified divine plan rather than isolated events. By exploring how the incarnation sets the stage for understanding atonement, Crisp argues for a holistic view of Christian theology that sees Christ's incarnation as integral to the entirety of salvation history, culminating in his life, death, and resurrection. This theological framework challenges listeners to rethink commonly held interpretations that compartmentalize these significant events.
A Unique Theological Journey
Crisp shares his personal journey toward becoming a theologian, revealing a fascination with existential questions about existence and God that began in his youth. Initially, he ventured into fine arts but felt a magnetic pull towards theology, spurred particularly by the writings of key reformed figures such as Luther and Calvin. His experience reflects a broader narrative where theological engagement serves as both a passionate pursuit and a need to grapple with fundamental human questions. This journey illustrates how encounters with influential thinkers can inspire deeper exploration within the fields of faith and intellectual inquiry.
Engaging with Diverse Theological Perspectives
Crisp's approach within a diverse academic setting, such as Fuller Theological Seminary, showcases the importance of fostering dialogue across different theological traditions. He emphasizes that engaging respectfully with varying perspectives enriches the learning experience, allowing students to challenge and refine their views comprehensively. By framing discussions around reformed theology as a starting point for conversation rather than confrontation, he aims to create a safe space for exploring complex doctrinal issues. This openness invites collaboration among students from different backgrounds to navigate their own theological beliefs while appreciating others.
The Integration of Philosophy and Theology
Crisp advocates for the use of analytic theology as a valuable method for systematizing theological thought while still drawing from historical tradition and biblical studies. He highlights the symbiotic relationship between philosophy and theology, positing that philosophy can clarify and enhance theological concepts rather than dictate them. This pragmatic approach encourages theologians across various denominational lines to engage with philosophical frameworks that reinforce their theological convictions. Ultimately, this synthesis aims to enhance understandings of key Christian doctrines, particularly concerning Christ's person and work.
An Optimistic View of Salvation
The conversation touches on Crisp's optimistic perspective regarding the scope of salvation within the reformed tradition, suggesting that God's intentions may be broader than traditionally interpreted. He advocates for a hopeful view of divine election, challenging notions of limited atonement and promoting an understanding that God's reconciling work may extend to a larger spectrum of humanity. By re-examining key passages of scripture, Crisp argues for a vision of divine grace that affirms God's loving desire for reconciliation rather than a punitive assessment of human souls. This perspective encourages deeper reflection on the implications of God's sovereignty and love at a time when many grapple with the complexities of faith.
Oliver Crisp is on talking about his new book, The Word Enfleshed, which tackles Christology and the atonement at the same time.
You might be saying to yourself, "Tripp, why is a reformed theologian (who also does analytical theology) on the podcast?" It's because we are open and affirming here at Homebrewed!
In fact, Tripp is so open that he found himself agreeing, maybe a little too much, with Oliver. Any time a theologian starts talking about the atonement and says we might be a little too hung up on the cross, and maybe we should start talking about the incarnation, good things happen.
Plus, hear about why Oliver wanted to become a theologian, the gateway text for his love of theology (spoiler alert: it's Here I Stand), how he became a Calvinist and how to talk about being a Calvinist to people who would otherwise resist, and the inspiration for writing his book.
When considering issues of Christology and atonement, we often want to know:
what is it to be united to Christ?
what is this notion of Christ reconciling us to God's self?
how did that come about?
what kind of models or structures can we put in place to help us try to reflect on that?
His book is an attempt to answer and build a new layer to these questions.
