As is well-known, Karl Barth famously clashed with another Swiss neo-orthodox figure, Emil Brunne... more As is well-known, Karl Barth famously clashed with another Swiss neo-orthodox figure, Emil Brunner, over the questions of "natural theology" and theological epistemology. Their academic firefight, perhaps the most public and aggressive debate of its kind in contemporary theology, highlights key issues which arise from the very heart of the Swiss Reformed tradition: Does humanity play any part at all in the knowing of God or in the process of receiving divine grace? Is there no truth of God to be found anywhere but in God's own direct revelatory acts? Is a human solely a broken and passive creature, completely and utterly transformed by a sovereign act of divine power? Barth and Brunner offered what may seem to be only slightly different answers to these questions, but Barth's extreme castigation of Brunner's reveals important depth to their divide. This study aims to describe how it was not only the Reformed heritage of Barth's theology which occasioned his outrage, but also a vital and contemporary problem for the church in his day: the rise of Nazism and the compromise of many Christians in the face of it.
In our ever more connected and open-access world, the vocation of teaching continually strives to... more In our ever more connected and open-access world, the vocation of teaching continually strives to rearticulate its significance. This study contributes to such ventures by drawing upon recent theology, psychology, philosophy, and literary theory to envision instruction as a uniquely narratival and virtue-formative practice, especially in Christian educational contexts. Four distinctly narratival-pedagogical approaches are illustrated, followed by a discussion of their capability for instilling and cultivating diverse intellectual virtues.
The opinion of many feminist thinkers and process theologians has been that Christianity needs to... more The opinion of many feminist thinkers and process theologians has been that Christianity needs to shed its allegiance to a God conceived in terms of omnipotent sovereignty. As an alternative, many of them have envisioned God in more relational categories, focusing on the metaphysically “limited” nature of God, with the first step along this path often being a refutation of the traditional doctrine of creatio ex nihilo. This essay summarizes such critiques before proceeding to argue that a robust understanding of creatio ex nihilo, viewed through the lens of kenosis, can actually speak more effectively to God’s relational nature and sacrificial love.
The Heliand, written shortly after the conquest and conversion of the Saxons at the hands of Char... more The Heliand, written shortly after the conquest and conversion of the Saxons at the hands of Charlemagne, maintains a vexed place in the study of medieval European Christianity(ies). Some argue that the Heliand’s overarching intent was pastoral, meant to ease the fears and calm the rage of the defeated Saxons, while others posit that the Heliand reflects a “dissident gospel,” aimed at subverting the official theological outlook of the Carolingian empire. This study argues that while both theories capture something of the Heliand’s ingenious contextual impact, they underestimate one of its key themes: the role of wurd (fate) and its co-identification with the “power of God,” which drives Jesus to the cross and scaffolds his submission to the violence of the divine will. Thus, the Heliand presents compliant victimization as the proper “fate” of those who submit to God’s purposes, promising a heavenly reward and countermanding the Saxon ethos of resistance.
As is well-known, Karl Barth famously clashed with another Swiss neo-orthodox figure, Emil Brunn... more As is well-known, Karl Barth famously clashed with another Swiss neo-orthodox figure, Emil Brunner, over the questions of "natural theology" and theological epistemology. Their academic firefight, perhaps the most public and aggressive debate of its kind in contemporary theology, highlights key issues which arise from the very heart of the Swiss Reformed tradition: Does humanity play any part at all in the knowing of God or in the process of receiving divine grace? Is there no truth of God to be found anywhere but in God's own direct revelatory acts? Is a human solely a broken and passive creature, completely and utterly transformed by a sovereign act of divine power? Barth and Brunner offered what may seem to be only slightly different answers to these questions, but Barth's extreme castigation of Brunner's reveals important depth to their divide. This study aims to describe how it was not only the Reformed heritage of Barth's theology which occasioned his outrage, but also a vital and contemporary problem for the church in his day: the rise of Nazism and the compromise of many Christians in the face of it.
This study contributes to theological dialogue on the nature of
atonement by sketching a “therape... more This study contributes to theological dialogue on the nature of atonement by sketching a “therapeutic” model—that is, a model focused on the healing of our specifically psychological relationship to God. Martin Luther serves as the principal interlocutor. This essay suggests that his 1531/35 Lectures on Galatians represent a unique perspective on the atonement of Christ, summed up in Luther’s strange and striking description of “Christ’s combat with the Law.” Through an analysis of Luther’s language throughout these Galatians lectures, I demonstrate that his overriding focus is on the inner and affective world of the believer—the world of memory, reflection, and emotion—and, most uniquely for christological doctrine, how Christ enters into these and mends their distortionary orientation to the divine. Such a “psychological” repair effectuated by Christ is a dimension of what this study terms “therapeutic atonement.”
International Journal of Christianity & Education, 2020
In our ever more connected and open-access world, the vocation of teaching continually strives to... more In our ever more connected and open-access world, the vocation of teaching continually strives to rearticulate its significance. This study contributes to such ventures by drawing upon recent theology, psychology, philosophy, and literary theory to envision instruction as a uniquely narratival and virtue-formative practice, especially in Christian educational contexts. Four distinctly narratival-pedagogical approaches are illustrated, followed by a discussion of their capability for instilling and cultivating diverse intellectual virtues.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution. The Heliand, written shortly after the conquest and conversion of the Saxons at the hands of Charlemagne, maintains a vexed place in the study of medieval European Christianity(ies). Some argue that the Heliand’s overarching intent was pastoral, meant to ease the fears and calm the rage of the defeated Saxons, while others posit that the Heliand reflects a “dissident gospel,” aimed at subverting the official theological outlook of the Carolingian empire. This study argues that while both theories capture something of the Heliand’s ingenious contextual impact, they underestimate one of its key themes: the role of wurd (fate) and its co-identification with the “power of God,” which drives Jesus to the cross and scaffolds his submission to the violence of the divine will. Thus, the Heliand presents compliant victimization as the proper “fate” of those who submit to God’s purposes, promising a heavenly reward and countermanding the Saxon ethos of resistance.
The opinion of many feminist thinkers and process theologians has been that Christianity needs to... more The opinion of many feminist thinkers and process theologians has been that Christianity needs to shed its allegiance to a God conceived in terms of omnipotent sovereignty. As an alternative, many of them have envisioned God in more relational categories, focusing on the metaphysically "limited" nature of God, with the first step along this path often being a refutation of the traditional doctrine of creatio ex nihilo. This essay summarizes such critiques before proceeding to argue that a robust understanding of creatio ex nihilo, viewed through the lens of kenosis, can actually speak more effectively to God's relational nature and sacrificial love.
Whiting's book is thoroughly researched and convincingly argued, laden with detailed analysis of ... more Whiting's book is thoroughly researched and convincingly argued, laden with detailed analysis of modern scholarship as well as of his primary sources. While the first five chapters are heavy going at times, and may seem a somewhat overlong introduction to the eventual discussion of the three English evangelicals, they do provide an explanation of the development of Luther's theology that is of real assistance in understanding the arguments presented in chapters six, seven, and eight. This is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in exploring the currents of thought that helped to shape the reform of the English church.
Despite his vast importance to twentieth-century theology, Jürgen Moltmann’s Christology has yet ... more Despite his vast importance to twentieth-century theology, Jürgen Moltmann’s Christology has yet to receive the same level of in-depth exploration as other topics in his thought. Samuel Youngs addresses this lacuna, providing the first exhaustive analysis of Moltmann’s doctrine of Christ, including its key developments and controversial elements.
Youngs argues that Moltmann’s doctrine of Christ is best understood as a unique variation of kenotic Christology. This vision of Christ encapsulates not only a series of vibrant ethical and eschatological points, but also serves Moltmann’s overarching theological goal of empowering a church that lives and ministers “under the cross.”
Part I highlights key facets of Moltmann’s theological method before unfolding the range of diverse themes that characterize his Christology. Part II explores Moltmann’s use of the “kenosis hymn” of Philippians 2, before interrogating Moltmann’s relationship to christological tradition. Part III engages in an original systematization of Moltmann’s Christology, centered on the theme of manifold, relational kenosis.
As is well-known, Karl Barth famously clashed with another Swiss neo-orthodox figure, Emil Brunne... more As is well-known, Karl Barth famously clashed with another Swiss neo-orthodox figure, Emil Brunner, over the questions of "natural theology" and theological epistemology. Their academic firefight, perhaps the most public and aggressive debate of its kind in contemporary theology, highlights key issues which arise from the very heart of the Swiss Reformed tradition: Does humanity play any part at all in the knowing of God or in the process of receiving divine grace? Is there no truth of God to be found anywhere but in God's own direct revelatory acts? Is a human solely a broken and passive creature, completely and utterly transformed by a sovereign act of divine power? Barth and Brunner offered what may seem to be only slightly different answers to these questions, but Barth's extreme castigation of Brunner's reveals important depth to their divide. This study aims to describe how it was not only the Reformed heritage of Barth's theology which occasioned his outrage, but also a vital and contemporary problem for the church in his day: the rise of Nazism and the compromise of many Christians in the face of it.
In our ever more connected and open-access world, the vocation of teaching continually strives to... more In our ever more connected and open-access world, the vocation of teaching continually strives to rearticulate its significance. This study contributes to such ventures by drawing upon recent theology, psychology, philosophy, and literary theory to envision instruction as a uniquely narratival and virtue-formative practice, especially in Christian educational contexts. Four distinctly narratival-pedagogical approaches are illustrated, followed by a discussion of their capability for instilling and cultivating diverse intellectual virtues.
The opinion of many feminist thinkers and process theologians has been that Christianity needs to... more The opinion of many feminist thinkers and process theologians has been that Christianity needs to shed its allegiance to a God conceived in terms of omnipotent sovereignty. As an alternative, many of them have envisioned God in more relational categories, focusing on the metaphysically “limited” nature of God, with the first step along this path often being a refutation of the traditional doctrine of creatio ex nihilo. This essay summarizes such critiques before proceeding to argue that a robust understanding of creatio ex nihilo, viewed through the lens of kenosis, can actually speak more effectively to God’s relational nature and sacrificial love.
The Heliand, written shortly after the conquest and conversion of the Saxons at the hands of Char... more The Heliand, written shortly after the conquest and conversion of the Saxons at the hands of Charlemagne, maintains a vexed place in the study of medieval European Christianity(ies). Some argue that the Heliand’s overarching intent was pastoral, meant to ease the fears and calm the rage of the defeated Saxons, while others posit that the Heliand reflects a “dissident gospel,” aimed at subverting the official theological outlook of the Carolingian empire. This study argues that while both theories capture something of the Heliand’s ingenious contextual impact, they underestimate one of its key themes: the role of wurd (fate) and its co-identification with the “power of God,” which drives Jesus to the cross and scaffolds his submission to the violence of the divine will. Thus, the Heliand presents compliant victimization as the proper “fate” of those who submit to God’s purposes, promising a heavenly reward and countermanding the Saxon ethos of resistance.
As is well-known, Karl Barth famously clashed with another Swiss neo-orthodox figure, Emil Brunn... more As is well-known, Karl Barth famously clashed with another Swiss neo-orthodox figure, Emil Brunner, over the questions of "natural theology" and theological epistemology. Their academic firefight, perhaps the most public and aggressive debate of its kind in contemporary theology, highlights key issues which arise from the very heart of the Swiss Reformed tradition: Does humanity play any part at all in the knowing of God or in the process of receiving divine grace? Is there no truth of God to be found anywhere but in God's own direct revelatory acts? Is a human solely a broken and passive creature, completely and utterly transformed by a sovereign act of divine power? Barth and Brunner offered what may seem to be only slightly different answers to these questions, but Barth's extreme castigation of Brunner's reveals important depth to their divide. This study aims to describe how it was not only the Reformed heritage of Barth's theology which occasioned his outrage, but also a vital and contemporary problem for the church in his day: the rise of Nazism and the compromise of many Christians in the face of it.
This study contributes to theological dialogue on the nature of
atonement by sketching a “therape... more This study contributes to theological dialogue on the nature of atonement by sketching a “therapeutic” model—that is, a model focused on the healing of our specifically psychological relationship to God. Martin Luther serves as the principal interlocutor. This essay suggests that his 1531/35 Lectures on Galatians represent a unique perspective on the atonement of Christ, summed up in Luther’s strange and striking description of “Christ’s combat with the Law.” Through an analysis of Luther’s language throughout these Galatians lectures, I demonstrate that his overriding focus is on the inner and affective world of the believer—the world of memory, reflection, and emotion—and, most uniquely for christological doctrine, how Christ enters into these and mends their distortionary orientation to the divine. Such a “psychological” repair effectuated by Christ is a dimension of what this study terms “therapeutic atonement.”
International Journal of Christianity & Education, 2020
In our ever more connected and open-access world, the vocation of teaching continually strives to... more In our ever more connected and open-access world, the vocation of teaching continually strives to rearticulate its significance. This study contributes to such ventures by drawing upon recent theology, psychology, philosophy, and literary theory to envision instruction as a uniquely narratival and virtue-formative practice, especially in Christian educational contexts. Four distinctly narratival-pedagogical approaches are illustrated, followed by a discussion of their capability for instilling and cultivating diverse intellectual virtues.
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution. The Heliand, written shortly after the conquest and conversion of the Saxons at the hands of Charlemagne, maintains a vexed place in the study of medieval European Christianity(ies). Some argue that the Heliand’s overarching intent was pastoral, meant to ease the fears and calm the rage of the defeated Saxons, while others posit that the Heliand reflects a “dissident gospel,” aimed at subverting the official theological outlook of the Carolingian empire. This study argues that while both theories capture something of the Heliand’s ingenious contextual impact, they underestimate one of its key themes: the role of wurd (fate) and its co-identification with the “power of God,” which drives Jesus to the cross and scaffolds his submission to the violence of the divine will. Thus, the Heliand presents compliant victimization as the proper “fate” of those who submit to God’s purposes, promising a heavenly reward and countermanding the Saxon ethos of resistance.
The opinion of many feminist thinkers and process theologians has been that Christianity needs to... more The opinion of many feminist thinkers and process theologians has been that Christianity needs to shed its allegiance to a God conceived in terms of omnipotent sovereignty. As an alternative, many of them have envisioned God in more relational categories, focusing on the metaphysically "limited" nature of God, with the first step along this path often being a refutation of the traditional doctrine of creatio ex nihilo. This essay summarizes such critiques before proceeding to argue that a robust understanding of creatio ex nihilo, viewed through the lens of kenosis, can actually speak more effectively to God's relational nature and sacrificial love.
Whiting's book is thoroughly researched and convincingly argued, laden with detailed analysis of ... more Whiting's book is thoroughly researched and convincingly argued, laden with detailed analysis of modern scholarship as well as of his primary sources. While the first five chapters are heavy going at times, and may seem a somewhat overlong introduction to the eventual discussion of the three English evangelicals, they do provide an explanation of the development of Luther's theology that is of real assistance in understanding the arguments presented in chapters six, seven, and eight. This is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in exploring the currents of thought that helped to shape the reform of the English church.
Despite his vast importance to twentieth-century theology, Jürgen Moltmann’s Christology has yet ... more Despite his vast importance to twentieth-century theology, Jürgen Moltmann’s Christology has yet to receive the same level of in-depth exploration as other topics in his thought. Samuel Youngs addresses this lacuna, providing the first exhaustive analysis of Moltmann’s doctrine of Christ, including its key developments and controversial elements.
Youngs argues that Moltmann’s doctrine of Christ is best understood as a unique variation of kenotic Christology. This vision of Christ encapsulates not only a series of vibrant ethical and eschatological points, but also serves Moltmann’s overarching theological goal of empowering a church that lives and ministers “under the cross.”
Part I highlights key facets of Moltmann’s theological method before unfolding the range of diverse themes that characterize his Christology. Part II explores Moltmann’s use of the “kenosis hymn” of Philippians 2, before interrogating Moltmann’s relationship to christological tradition. Part III engages in an original systematization of Moltmann’s Christology, centered on the theme of manifold, relational kenosis.
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Papers by Samuel Youngs
atonement by sketching a “therapeutic” model—that is, a model
focused on the healing of our specifically psychological relationship to God. Martin Luther serves as the principal interlocutor.
This essay suggests that his 1531/35 Lectures on Galatians represent a unique perspective on the atonement of Christ, summed up
in Luther’s strange and striking description of “Christ’s combat
with the Law.” Through an analysis of Luther’s language throughout these Galatians lectures, I demonstrate that his overriding focus is on the inner and affective world of the believer—the world
of memory, reflection, and emotion—and, most uniquely for christological doctrine, how Christ enters into these and mends their
distortionary orientation to the divine. Such a “psychological” repair effectuated by Christ is a dimension of what this study terms
“therapeutic atonement.”
of Charlemagne, maintains a vexed place in the study of medieval European Christianity(ies). Some
argue that the Heliand’s overarching intent was pastoral, meant to ease the fears and calm the rage
of the defeated Saxons, while others posit that the Heliand reflects a “dissident gospel,” aimed at
subverting the official theological outlook of the Carolingian empire. This study argues that while
both theories capture something of the Heliand’s ingenious contextual impact, they underestimate
one of its key themes: the role of wurd (fate) and its co-identification with the “power of God,” which
drives Jesus to the cross and scaffolds his submission to the violence of the divine will. Thus, the
Heliand presents compliant victimization as the proper “fate” of those who submit to God’s purposes,
promising a heavenly reward and countermanding the Saxon ethos of resistance.
Books by Samuel Youngs
Youngs argues that Moltmann’s doctrine of Christ is best understood as a unique variation of kenotic Christology. This vision of Christ encapsulates not only a series of vibrant ethical and eschatological points, but also serves Moltmann’s overarching theological goal of empowering a church that lives and ministers “under the cross.”
Part I highlights key facets of Moltmann’s theological method before unfolding the range of diverse themes that characterize his Christology. Part II explores Moltmann’s use of the “kenosis hymn” of Philippians 2, before interrogating Moltmann’s relationship to christological tradition. Part III engages in an original systematization of Moltmann’s Christology, centered on the theme of manifold, relational kenosis.
atonement by sketching a “therapeutic” model—that is, a model
focused on the healing of our specifically psychological relationship to God. Martin Luther serves as the principal interlocutor.
This essay suggests that his 1531/35 Lectures on Galatians represent a unique perspective on the atonement of Christ, summed up
in Luther’s strange and striking description of “Christ’s combat
with the Law.” Through an analysis of Luther’s language throughout these Galatians lectures, I demonstrate that his overriding focus is on the inner and affective world of the believer—the world
of memory, reflection, and emotion—and, most uniquely for christological doctrine, how Christ enters into these and mends their
distortionary orientation to the divine. Such a “psychological” repair effectuated by Christ is a dimension of what this study terms
“therapeutic atonement.”
of Charlemagne, maintains a vexed place in the study of medieval European Christianity(ies). Some
argue that the Heliand’s overarching intent was pastoral, meant to ease the fears and calm the rage
of the defeated Saxons, while others posit that the Heliand reflects a “dissident gospel,” aimed at
subverting the official theological outlook of the Carolingian empire. This study argues that while
both theories capture something of the Heliand’s ingenious contextual impact, they underestimate
one of its key themes: the role of wurd (fate) and its co-identification with the “power of God,” which
drives Jesus to the cross and scaffolds his submission to the violence of the divine will. Thus, the
Heliand presents compliant victimization as the proper “fate” of those who submit to God’s purposes,
promising a heavenly reward and countermanding the Saxon ethos of resistance.
Youngs argues that Moltmann’s doctrine of Christ is best understood as a unique variation of kenotic Christology. This vision of Christ encapsulates not only a series of vibrant ethical and eschatological points, but also serves Moltmann’s overarching theological goal of empowering a church that lives and ministers “under the cross.”
Part I highlights key facets of Moltmann’s theological method before unfolding the range of diverse themes that characterize his Christology. Part II explores Moltmann’s use of the “kenosis hymn” of Philippians 2, before interrogating Moltmann’s relationship to christological tradition. Part III engages in an original systematization of Moltmann’s Christology, centered on the theme of manifold, relational kenosis.