Jesus the Mediator (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780813221199)

In Jesus the Mediator, William L. Brownsberger offers an account of the human psychology assumed by the Second Person of the Trinity in light of its salvific significance. Instead of focusing directly on classical understandings of how salvation is accomplished, this book draws attention to the Person and human nature that soteriology must presuppose. The book follows a classical psychological taxonomy (intellect, will, sensitive appetites) of human nature, presupposing a traditional articulation of the hypostatic union as background for this reflection.

The book begins by considering Christ's human intellect. The distinct, but complementary, perspectives of Maurice Blondel and St. Thomas are combined to argue in favor of a Christological maximalism regarding the extent of Jesus' human knowledge from the character of his saving mission. This is followed by a two-part reflection on the gulf between finite and infinite being that is bridged by the mediator. In this vein, one chapter
focuses on Christ's active mediatorship in voluntary action, while another approaches the integration of the finite and Infinite in his personal constitution. The final chapter treats Jesus' anger as suggestive of the role that his emotional life plays in salvation.

Brownsberger supports the main theses of St. Thomas's Christology, while also providing key insights from the philosophical tradition of the past two centuries and from the Christological debates of the 1940s - 1960s. Many of the discoveries of the latter became obsolete in the post-conciliar shift in theological emphases before they could be developed and applied. By means of such insights, the author seeks to draw the identity of Jesus Christ into a tight, organic unity with his redemptive mission of mediation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

"This book emphasizes the intimate connection between Christ's self-consciousness and his role as savior or mediator of salvation. Brownsberger displays a thorough understanding of the scriptural and theological issues connected with the self-consciousness of Christ, and provides a helpful overview of many important theologians of the twentieth century who treated this subtle and delicate matter."--Robert Fastiggi, professor of systematic theology, Sacred Heart Major Seminary

"Brownsberger discusses a full range of issues, including the extent of Christ's human knowledge, his possession of the beatific vision, Christ's human emotions, and the secondary being (esse secondarium) of Christ. He offers a fresh viewpoint on these issues by looking at them from a soteriological perspective, addressing questions of Christ's human intellect, will, and passions in light of his mediatorial work. Recommended." --Choice

Author: William L. Brownsberger
ISBN-10: 0813221196
ISBN-13: 9780813221199
Publisher: Catholic University of America Press
Language: English
Published: 03/19/2013
Pages: 170
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.79lbs
Size: 8.28h x 5.60w x 0.79d

Review Citation(s):
Choice 11/01/2013