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Philosophical Approaches to Atonement, Incarnation, and the Trinity

  • Book
  • © 2016
  • Latest edition

Overview

Authors:
  1. C. Stephen Layman

    1. Seattle Pacific University, USA, USA, USA

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About this book

This book explores the philosophical issues arising from the distinctively Christian doctrines of the atonement, incarnation, and Trinity. To many philosophers and theologians, these doctrines raise considerable philosophical quandaries. In this volume, C. Stephen Layman explores such questions as: Why do these doctrines matter? Do they make sense? Do the historically influential theories about them hold up under scrutiny? To what extent do recent contributions by philosophers (e.g., Richard Swinburne, Thomas V. Morris, Stephen T. Davis, Brian Leftow, and Peter van Inwagen) shed light on these doctrines? This philosophical investigation illuminates how religious questions can be addressed with philosophical seriousness.

Keywords

  • Atonement
  • Incarnation
  • Trinity
  • Ransom Theory
  • Satisfaction Theory
  • Moral Influence Theory
  • Vicarious Punishment
  • reduplication
  • Divided-Mind Theory
  • Two-Minds Theory
  • Kenotic Theory
  • Nestorianism
  • Arianism
  • timelessness
  • divine persons
  • polytheism
  • modalism
  • Latin Trinitarianism
  • relative identity
  • material constitution

Reviews

“Philosophical approaches to atonement, incarnation, and trinity consists of four parts: a substantial introduction, and a chapter each on the three topics listed in the title. The book is clearly written, informed by the current literature on the doctrines discussed, and fair minded. While each chapter concludes with Layman’s developing and defending one particular position … . It would be a good text for a mid-to-upper level undergraduate course on philosophical issues in Christian theology.” (Thomas D. Senor, International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, Vol. 82, 2017)

"In this fine book, Layman discusses and affirms the Trinity, incarnation, and atonement with great clarity and intelligence. He knows the literature, both classical and contemporary; he knows the scriptures; and he proposes clever and fascinating arguments of his own. I recommend this book with great enthusiasm." - Stephen T. Davis, Claremont McKenna College, USA

"Never abandoning the mystery within the doctrines, Layman nonetheless clarifies some of what these doctrines do not teach—in fact cannot teach. His work here is incisive and deeply revealing." - Cornelius Plantinga, Jr., co-editor of Trinity, Incarnation, and Atonement: Philosophical and Theological Essays

"Layman puts forth a novel, relational theory of atonement, a kenotic christology, and a social Trinity. He gives readers much to ponder, while providing them tools with which to process such important ideas!" - Marilyn McCord Adams, Rutgers University, USA

"The atoning work of Christ, the incarnation of the Son of God, and the Trinity lie at the heart of Christian faith and theology. Layman offers intriguing proposals on each of these topics. This book will help those who want to understand the coherence of these central Christian teachings." - Ronald Feenstra, Calvin Theological Seminary, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  • Seattle Pacific University, USA, USA, USA

    C. Stephen Layman

About the author

C. Stephen Layman earned his PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is the author of The Shape of the Good (1991), The Power of Logic (1999), and Letters to Doubting Thomas: A Case for the Existence of God (2007).

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Philosophical Approaches to Atonement, Incarnation, and the Trinity

  • Authors: C. Stephen Layman

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan New York

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2016

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-58486-1Published: 05 February 2016

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-1-349-95439-1Published: 31 March 2018

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: IX, 191

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