CHRIST THE ONE AND ONLY
A Global Affirmation of the Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
Ed. Sung Wook Chung. Paternoster/Baker Academic. 240 pages. £9.99
ISBN 1 84227 344 26
When theological pluralism and philosophical relativism seem to dominate the landscape, it is good for Christians to reaffirm the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. The authors of this volume reject the notion that Christianity is simply one religion among many and that Jesus Christ is simply one religious leader, or prophet among many. Instead, they affirm that Jesus Christ is God Incarnate and is the God-given means of salvation and eternal life.
This does not mean, however, that the authors simply dismiss other religions and philosophies, with little in the way of careful consideration. On the contrary, the authors demonstrate a deep knowledge of and respect for other religions and help us to understand them better. Clearly it is important, if we are to commend Christ, to understand the worldview and theology of those we approach.
The first six chapters of the book demonstrate different aspects of the uniqueness of Christ: Elias Dantas on the Incarnation; Clark Pinnock on Christ’s Life and Teachings (filling in the perceived gap in the Apostles Creed between ‘born of the Virgin Mary’ and ‘suffered under Pontius Pilate’); Graham Tomlin on Christ’s Sufferings and Death; Gabriel Fackre on the Resurrection; Mark Thompson on Christ as Revealer; and Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen on Christ and Trinitarian faith.
The second half of the book deals with Christ’s uniqueness in relation to different religions, seeking theological points of contact for the communication of the uniqueness of Christ. Ellen Charry deals with Judaism; Paul Chung with Buddhism; Ng Kam Weng with Islam; and K.K. Yeo with Confucianism. In the final chapter, the editor of the volume, Sung Wook Chung, takes us back to Buddhism arguing for a ‘missional’ approach, as opposed to either a pluralistic or a negatively hostile approach.
The book is informative, challenging and helpful. Naturally, in a symposium of this nature, there are differences of view and of emphasis, even in their expressions of the uniqueness of Christ. Having said this, the book is worth reading.
Professor A.T.B. McGowan,
Highland Theological College UHI, Dingwall
