God Our Savior: Theology in a Christological Mode

This volume makes a systematic theological statement in light of the unique revelation of God and humankind that has come to us in Jesus the Messiah as recorded in Scripture. It is the companion to the authors Jesus Christ Our Lord (1987 1990). There are chapters on Jesus Christ as the lens through which we receive theological insight revelation God humanity the Holy Spirit the church and last things all understood through Gods self-disclosure in Christ. From within the Anabaptist theological tradition Kraus offers a biblically oriented alternative to rationalistic orthodoxy and to liberalism. He takes Scripture as the normative witness to the meaning of Christ the authoritative source for theological reflection and thus makes a thoroughly evangelical statement. Yet this evangel begins with salvation as newness of life in resurrection with Christ not simply as juridical justification. The emphasis is on God as source of creative potential rather than on God as instigator of legal judgment. Christ the Second Adam the truest image of God is both the climax of creation and the means through which humanity can attain that image and respond to God in personal relationship. Kraus views the Holy Spirit as the enlivening presence of the risen Christ the church as the continuing saving mission of Christ and eschatology as the victory of Christ over the powers of evil and death. Creative theologizing. . . . . I find myself constantly challenged and stimulated by these new insights. . . . --Dorothy Jean Weaver Eastern Mennonite Society C. Norman Kraus retired in Harrisonburg Virginia is a Goshen College professor emeritus. He is the author of numerous books including Evangelicalism and Anabaptism and Jesus Christ Our Lord.