Many theologians begin their discussion of the human person by claiming that in some way Jesus Christ reveals what it means to be "truly human," but this claim often has little impact in the material presentation of their anthropology. Although modern theologians often fail to reflect robustly on the relationship between Christology and anthropology, this was not the case throughout church history.
Covering topics as wide-ranging as sexuality, suffering, vocation, ontology, and race, Marc Cortez explores the ways seven key theologians–Gregory of Nyssa, Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, Friedrich Schleiermacher, Karl Barth, John Zizioulas, and James Cone–have used Christology to inform their understanding of the human person. Based on this historical study, he concludes with a constructive proposal for how Christology and anthropology should work together to inform our view of what it means to be human.
About the Author:
Marc Cortez (PhD, University of St Andrews) is associate professor of theology at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author of Theological Anthropology and Embodied Souls, Ensouled Bodies and has published articles in academic journals such as International Journal of Systematic Theology, Scottish Journal of Theology, and Westminster Theological Journal.