The Lord Jesus Christ - Book Battle!

Two New Books with a Similar Title and Topic

Hi everyone, I’m reviewing two new books on Christology with similar topics and titles. A short written review below, but a more detailed evaluation in the video above. Find out which Lord Jesus Christ volume wins this book battle!

Brandon D. Crowe
The Lord Jesus Christ: The Biblical Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ
Studies in Reformed Biblical Doctrine
Edited by John McClean and Murray J. Smith
Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic, 2023.

Crowe’s book is an exercise in biblical theology with some historical theology to cover aspects of the person of Jesus Christ in the OT, NT, Christian tradition, and especially in Reformed theology. Great surveys of dense texts and ancient theologians, also shows interest in contemporary issues like pluralism and Christ-centred hermeneutics, solid defense of eternal generation, and his seven theses for Christology are fundamentally sound.

But … Crowe treats the church fathers as mostly anticipations of Nicaea, he completely skips over the medieval tradition, and perhaps is Reformed to the point of parochiality.

Still, very robust and readable! A good introduction to Christology.

Daniel J. Treier
Lord Jesus Christ
New Studies in Dogmatics
Edited by Michael Allen and Scott R. Swain
Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2023.

Very different method to Crowe, a truly systematic approach, launching in from Scripture then engaging complex topics like the Son in the Trinity, Jesus in the OT, messianic life and atonement, and position in the new creation. Very Reformed, grapples with Calvin and Calvinism, but also goes beyond that side of the woods, gets into Barth and Catholic interpreters too.

Sometimes Treier wrestles with very biblical problems (virgin conception, descent into hades, etc), other times the exegesis is more assumed than demonstrable. Can be a little dense and technical, probably more suited to upper-level readers, or doctoral courses. Makes for an informative and mind-opening read!