Man and the Incarnation: A Study in the Biblical Theology of Irenaeus

Wingren claims that in a theologian like Irenaeus there are parts of the Biblical message which are interpreted in greater clarity and power than in any later period of Christian thought. As such this book deserves the sympathetic attention of theologians both Catholic and Protestant. To summarize it is nearly impossible in view of the richness and fullness of the discussion. We may say however that for Irenaeus God made man for growth yet man was defeated by that Satan whom God also created. The Son of God served to recapitulate and reverse Adams fall and to restore humanitys lost God-given potentiality for growth. In the Church through word and sacrament Christs benefits are made available to all. In the final consummation when man becomes like God he is in actual fact becoming man. God and man are not fundamentally in opposition to one another. The only thing to add about Wingrens book is that it must be read. There are very few studies of classical Christian theology which come close to it in clarity completeness or convincing power.