Union with Christ: Adolf Schlatter's Relational Christology

Union with Christ is the first extensive work on the Christology of Swiss theologian Adolf Schlatter (1852-1938). It offers fresh insights not only to readers interested in Adolf Schlatters theology in particular but also to students and professionals from the historical and dogmatic disciplines in general. The first part of the book sets the scene by tracing the biographical context of Schlatters christological thinking. It explores Schlatters evaluation of Kantianism of the revival movement of Ritschl and the Ritschl school and of dialectical theologians particularly Karl Barth. Based on this analysis the second part of the work examines the dogmatic shape of Schlatters relational Christology in more detail. From the perspective of Schlatters theological triad of seeing-act thinking-act and life-act it investigates his relational account of Jesus Christ against the backdrop of a distinct Trinitarian framework. According to Schlatter Jesus reveals his divinity on the cross as he is able to maintain fellowship with God in spite of God-forsakenness--mediated by the Holy Spirit--and he reveals his humanity by remaining in close communion with sinners transforming them and gathering them into the new community of faith. Adolf Schlatter was a giant of German theology at the turn of the twentieth century who combined painstaking biblical scholarship with a unique grasp of theological issues in a way rivaled perhaps only by Bultmann. Brautigam does a splendid job retrieving Schlatters Christology as a resource for contemporary theological reflection. --Johannes Zachhuber Professor of Historical and Systematic Theology University of Oxford This thoroughly researched and enthusiastic study offers a captivating introduction to the world in which Schlatter worked and while it then proceeds to major on one key aspect of his Christology it never allows us to forget that beyond it there lies a rich and unexplored hinterland where every confessional tradition might dig with profit. --Donald Macleod Retired Professor of Systematic Theology This volume offers an unsurpassed introduction to the work of Adolf Schlatter one of the most influential yet most neglected voices in modern theology. Brautigam provides not only a contoured analysis of Schlatters engagements with exegesis dogmatics and ethics focusing particularly on Schlatters Christology but also articulates carefully both the historical context and the contemporary relevance and significance of the work of Schlatter. This is a very fine study and comes highly recommended. --Paul Nimmo Professor Chair in Systematic Theology University of Aberdeen Adolf Schlatter was a renowned biblical scholar and theologian whose pupils include several of the leading figures in twentieth-century theology. In this admirably clear informed and sympathetic study Michael Brautigam explores [Schlatters] lifelong preoccupation with Christology. As Brautigam shows Schlatters combination of relational and substantive themes in characterizing the person of Jesus continues to merit attention. --David Fergusson Professor of Divinity and Principal of New College University of Edinburgh Finally an English-language monograph on Schlatter that takes the measure of his genius and theological depth. Michael Brautigam limpidly and shrewdly details factors that explain the emergence erudition and profundity of Schlatters christological synthesis. --Robert W. Yarbrough Professor of New Testament Covenant Theological Seminary Michael Brautigam is Lecturer in Theology and Ministry at Melbourne School of Theology.