Infinity Dwindled to Infancy: A Catholic and Evangelical Christology

by Edward T. Oakes

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2011

Overview

At the heart of all ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and Evangelicals is their fundamental agreement on Christology ― and a common understanding and confession of the lordship of Jesus Christ as the unique Savior of the human race. Infinity Dwindled to Infancy provides a broad survey of doctrinal and historical issues at play in Christology.

Drawing from a wide range of sources ― contemporary New Testament scholarship and patristic Christology, key medieval theologians, major Protestant voices, Catholic theologians, and recent magisterial statements from Vatican II ― Edward T. Oakes presents two millennia of thinking on one of the great paradoxes at the heart of Christian faith: “an infinite God who is finite man . . . in short, Infinity dwindled to infancy.”

Key Features

• Provides a broad survey of doctrinal and historical issues at play in Christology.
• Presents two millennia of thinking on one of the great paradoxes at the heart of Christian faith.
• Studies the statement: “an infinite God who is finite man . . . in short, Infinity dwindled to infancy.”

Contents

• Acknowledgments
• 1. Introduction: The Poets’ Incarnation
• 2. The Surface Data
• 3. The History of the Data
• 4. Patristic Christology
• 5. Medieval Christology
• 6. Reformation Christology, Protestant and Catholic
• 7. Christologies of the Heart
• 8. German Idealism and Kenotic Christology
• 9. Christology and Pluralism: Protestant Theologians
• 10. Christology and Pluralism: Catholic Theologians
• 11. Recent Magisterial Christology
• 12. Conclusion: The Victory of Christ
• Appendix: The First Seven Ecumenical Councils
• Glossary
• Index

Praise for Infinity Dwindled to Infancy

Edward T. Oakes, one of our best and most literate theologians, has given us in this volume a masterpiece of christological reflection. Evangelicals and Catholics share together a common faith in Jesus Christ the Lord, the one and only Savior of the world. The closer we are drawn to Jesus Christ, the closer we come to one another. This book helps us to do both.

—Timothy George, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University

Oakes is an erudite cicerone who skillfully guides us through the history of theological reflection on Jesus of Nazareth. He ranges easily through the full spectrum of christological thought, beginning with the Scriptures and then discussing the work of eminent fathers, noxious heretics, illustrious councils, exacting scholastics, vigorous Reformers, fallacious Idealists, down to the Protestant and Catholic theologians of our own day. Throughout his ecumenically inspired volume Oakes offers clear thinking and lucid writing, making this book an essential vade mecum for students and, indeed, for all those interested in the church’s understanding of Jesus Christ.

—Thomas G. Guarino, Seton Hall University

This is the best Christology text in English I have seen in years.

—Theological Studies

Product Details

• Title: Infinity Dwindled to Infancy: A Catholic and Evangelical Christology
• Author: Edward T. Oakes
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2011
• Logos Release Date: 2025
• Pages: 459
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Jesus Christ › Person and offices; Incarnation
• Resource ID: LLS:NFNTYDWCHRSTLGY
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-02-05T17:59:20Z

About Edward T. Oakes

Edward T. Oakes (1948–2013), SJ, was a professor of systematic theology at the University of St. Mary of the Lake and Mundelein Seminary. During his career, he served as president of the Academy of Catholic Theology and participated in the ecumenical initiative Evangelicals and Catholics Together. He was renowned for his studies and translations of the work of Hans Urs von Balthasar.