A Tapestry of Global Christology

This book is an ambitious undertaking. By engaging the resources of contextual theology, analytic theology, and the theological interpretation of Scripture, Atsen adroitly draws together strands of theological discourse which have proceeded all too often in isolation from one another. The result of the inquiry is a robust and richly integrative contribution to the church’s reflection upon the doctrine of Christ. Atsen’s proposal is essential reading for all students of Christian thought, and especially for those who lament the phenomenon of fragmentation in contemporary theology.

David Luy, PhD
Associate Professor of Systematic Theology,
North American Lutheran Seminary, Pennsylvania, USA

“A cord of three strands is not easily broken” (Eccl. 4:12). This may not be an African proverb, but in Atsen’s hands it becomes a compelling image for doing theology – for reading Scripture theologically – that is simultaneously catholic, conceptually precise, and sensitive to cultural context. Especially important are Atsen’s explanations as to why neither creedal Christology or ontology are examples of Western theological colonialism. Here is theology that is as biblical as it is global, which is to say, a theology for the church today, and tomorrow.

Kevin J. Vanhoozer, PhD
Research Professor of Systematic Theology,
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Illinois, USA

Isuwa Atsen’s A Tapestry of Global Christology demonstrates faithfulness to orthodox Christianity and incredible knowledge, wisdom, and insight. Astute in the way he engages the task of Christian theology from a Majority World perspective, Atsen develops a Christology that is canonical, catholic, analytic,and contextual. It is filled with fresh insights and opens new vistas of theological engagements. This book is a breath of fresh air in Christological analytic theology. It will be useful to Western and Majority World theologians alike. I highly recommend this book.

Bulus Y. Galadima, PhD
Former Provost, Jos ECWA Theological Seminary, Nigeria
Dean, Cook School of Intercultural Study, Biola University, California, USA

This book is a theological response to Christological controversies tormenting the African Church. It provides a theological treatise to answer the catalogue of Christological misinterpretations, misrepresentations, misapplications, and misleadings. The author provides a sure way through these errors by using Scripture as the standard of our faith and authority. The book concludes witha pragmatic application of Christology to our worship and confession in the midst of danger and violence. I strongly recommend this book.

Rev. Gyang D. Pam, PhD
Provost, Gindiri Theological Seminary, Nigeria

1. Acknowledgments
1. Chapter 1 Introduction
2. 1. Problem and Thesis
   2. The Thread of the Theological Interpretation of Scripture
   3. The Thread of Analytic Theology
   4. The Thread of Global Theology
   5. Rethinking the Western Versus Non-Western Bifurcation
   6. Scope and Delimitation
   7. Significance of the Study
   8. Summary of Chapters
3. Chapter 2 Use of Scripture and the Nature of Christian Theology
4. 1. The Idea of Using Scripture in Theology
   2. The View and Use of Scripture in Christian Theology: A Historical Survey
   3. Construing and Using the Bible Theologically
   4. Situating Scripture and Its User within the Divine Economy
   5. From Theological Interpretation to Theological Theology
   6. Conclusion
5. Chapter 3 Using Scripture in Analytic Theology
6. 1. Understanding Analytic Theology: Its Story
   2. Understanding Analytic Theology: Its Nature and Method
   3. The Use of Scripture in Analytic Theology: Revelational Control
   4. Explicating the Person of Christ in Analytic
   5. Theological Discourse
   6. Between Analytic Theology and Theological Theology
   7. Analytic Style and Scriptural Form
   8. Philosophical Versus Theological Reason
   9. Accessibility of Content and Attention to Context
7. Chapter 4 Christ in Global Theological Perspectives
8. 1. From Context to Text: Method in Global Christology
   2. The Quest for an African Christology: An Overview
   3. Some Constructive Christologies in Nigeria
   4. Decolonization as De-Missionarization: The Final Word
   5. Conclusion
9. Chapter 5 Toward a Global Analytic Christology
10. 1. A Theological Analytic Contextual Approach to Christology
    2. Scripture as Canon
    3. Tradition as Guide
    4. Context as Theater
    5. Conceptual Analysis as a Tool
    6. Conclusion
11. Chapter 6 Christ in the Context of Violence
12. 1. Encountering the Son of God in an African Windstorm
    2. Confessing Jesus Christ as Lord of and in All Contexts
    3. Conclusion
13. Chapter 7 Summary and Conclusion
14. 1. Summary
    2. Conclusions and Recommendations
2. Bibliography