The Kenotic Theory by Francis J. Hall

The full title os this book written by Francis J. Hall published in 1898 is The Kenotic Theory: Considered with Particular Reference to its Anglican Form and Arguments. Hall was a very prolific Anglican systematic theologian whose books have been studied in Seminaries for years, though many find his writing style a bit ponderous, he is nevertheless very thorough in presenting his facts and arguments. This book is essentially a polemic against the Kenoticists and their theories that arose in the century or two prior to his writing this book, and he targets, for the most part, Anglican Kenoticists (especially his contemporary Bishop Charles Gore), while touching on Lutheran and Roman Catholic writers as well. Because kenoticism has to do with the two natures of Christ in the one person, it is necessarily Christilogical in nature. Hall first appeals to the Church Fathers for their view, and finds that there appears to be no Patristic evidence for holding to a theory of Jesus somehow emptying or putting aside of His Divine Nature. He then goes on to very clearly list the arguments for such a theory followed by his rebuttal. He finishes the book by summing up the issues involved in the Kenotic theory as they affect the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation. While many may find that a book of nearly 250 pages devoted to the seemingly theological minutia of little value, for those like myself who take delight in treatises of this nature, it is a most informative and enjoyable read. While it is nearly impossible to find an original copy, the book is available in a paperback reprint from Kessinger that is available at most online bookstores such as those listed on this blogsite. Enjoy!

Christian Proficiency by Martin Thornton

First published in 1959, Christian Proficiency by Martin Thornton, an Anglican priest and ascetic theologian of the last century, has helped form the spiritual lives of countless Anglicans. This, indeed, has been the case in my own life. Thornton bases the Rule he espouses on Benedictine Spirituality, which he has modified for use by the average lay person, as well as the busy parish priest. Thornton discusses the progression that monastic prayer has followed and strived for as found in the three classic ways of purgative, illuminative, and unitive, which he then transforms into three corresponding personal ways, or states, that he calls beginner, proficient, and expert. All Christians, says Thornton, should strive to be, at the very least, proficient, that is, to go beyond the state of beginner. This, says Thornton, is where the majority of Christians should strive to be. This is accomplished, according to Fr Thornton, through a three fold discipline, or Rule, of Prayer that is comprised of 1) reciting the daily Offices of Morning and Evening Prayer as found in the Book of Common Prayer, 2) by weekly partaking of Holy Communion, and 3) by private prayer. He goes on to describe each of these disciplines that make up this rule, discussing techniques, benefits, and difficulties. It is a book that bears revisiting and re-reading, as with every return to its pages there are gleaned additional valuable insights. Although this book has been out of print for some time, copies may still be found by searching the various bookseller sites on the internet such as the ones that I have listed in this blog.