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!
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While I am not a member of the clergy I too, enjoy reading books such as this one.
ReplyDeleteI have been fortunate enough to find, thanks to the internet, all of Hall's writings in their original form although I have not read them all yet I find his writing not really that hard to read.
It is interesting to note that he was deaf. That may account, in part, for his somewhat ponderous style; although others, from Walton to Hooker also have a style which makes reading them difficult and I don't believe they were deaf.
I am enjoying this book a great deal, particularly as it appears to me to be a real exploration of Christ's nature as well as a refutation of Kenoticism. I think it is a book I will have to reread to really appreciate it fully.