Some Recommended Books on Christology

This post comes in response to a brother in the Middle East who seems to be combating false teaching in this area. I hope that this helps. I have not included the apposite sections within the major Systematic Theologies, nor have I included the important critical studies of Dunn or Pannenberg (which are both worth reading). These books furnish a well-rounded portrait of the Jesus of the Bible and His identity as the God-Man.

DOCTRINAL WORKS

B. B. Warfield – The Person and Work of Christ

An old standard made up of essays from various publications, this volume includes historical, biblical, apologetic and devotional material by one of America’s greatest theologians. This is a must-have.

Stephen Wellum – God the Son Incarnate

Possibly the best contemporary treatment available. He surveys past controversies, the biblical materials, and important writers, before giving his systematic account in the last section. Wellum has established himself as a major evangelical theologian with this and his other works.

Millard Erickson – The Word Became Flesh

Vies with Wellum as the best contemporary treatment. Erickson is always balanced.

Mark Jones – Knowing Christ

If it is not read as a sequel to Packer’s Knowing God I think this book has a lot going for it.

Athanasius – On the Incarnation

The classic book on Christ’s pre-existence and divine nature and work. Get the John Behr translation with C.S. Lewis’s famous Forward.

Donald MacLeod – The Person of Christ

A top Scottish theologian covers all the bases.

Robert Letham – The Message of the Person of Christ

Letham is better known for his work of the Holy Spirit, but this one is both readable and informative.

G. C. Berkouwer – The Person of Christ

Berkouwer knew the Christological controversies and the contemporary scene up to his time. Lots of information. Steers clear of new formulations.

Gregory of Nazianzus – On God and Christ

The great Cappadocian father wrote Five Theological Orations which focus on the Trinity and the “consubstantiability” of the three Persons. He was one of the greatest orators of the ancient world, and these long, sometimes humorous, and deep discussions require concentration. But the effort is worth it. See also Christopher Beeley’s excellent ‘Gregory of Nazianzus on the Trinity and the Knowledge of God.’

HISTORICAL WORKS

Richard A. Norris – The Christological Controversy

An excellent survey of of the earliest Patristic writers before Chalcedon.

Larry Hurtado – LORD JESUS CHRIST

Hurtado’s magnum opus on the reception of Jesus by His earliest followers. Interacts with the old liberal line, showing it to be erroneous. Very good treatments of the NT materials (even if the chapter on Q can be skipped).

Richard Bauckham – Jesus and the God of Israel

Brilliant studies on Christology, featuring the important essay ‘God Crucified.’ I love the chapter on Christ in the Epistle to the Hebrews.

BIBLICAL THEOLOGY/EXPOSITION

Darrell Bock & Benjamin Simpson – Jesus According to Scripture

Focusing on the Gospels, this work presents the Jesus who emerges from their pages. Deals first with the Synoptics and them with John.

J. Dwight Pentecost – The Words and Works of Jesus Christ

Still one of the best Lives of Christ out there.

Richard N. Longenecker (ed.) – Contours of Christology in the New Testament

A generally excellent group of chapters working through the NT authors and their accounts of Christ. Recommended.

Peter Lewis – The Glory of Christ

This is a very well done study of Christ’s own testimony to Himself. Written at a lay level but with enough meat for the preacher.

John Brown (of Edinburgh) – The Discourses and Sayings of Our Lord (3 Vols).

Banner of Truth published these volumes. If you can get them they are filled with solid devotional thoughts. Perhaps a little prolix at times, Brown was one of the premier commentators of the 19th century.

Herb Bateman, Gordon Johnston, Darrell Bock – Jesus the Messiah

This book works through the messianic texts in both Testaments to set forth a thorough presentation of the theme of the Christ.

Graham Cole – The God Who Became Human

This study centers on the Incarnation and its preparation in OT texts and realization in the NT. I don’t like some aspects of this book (e.g. too many quotations), and I think Systematic Theology intrudes into the process too quickly, but it does contain solid material.

Gordon D. Fee – Pauline Christology

An outstanding “exegetical-theological” work which reviews all the texts about Jesus in Paul’s Letters.

APOLOGETIC

Robert Bowman & Ed Komoszewski – Putting Jesus in His Place

An easy to read but thorough work which clearly sets out the claims of the Jesus of Scripture.

Robert Bowman & Ed Komoszewski – The Incarnate Christ and His Critics

I only had a little time to peruse this large book at a conference recently. It is nicely produced and looks very capable. It is a well-rounded apologetic study of the attributes of the incarnate Christ and a refutation of the objections to Him.

H. P. Liddon – The Divinity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

An old classic set of Bampton lectures which used to be a standard text.

J. Oswald Sanders – The Incomparable Christ

A really helpful book to give to a young Christian or seeker. I was helped by this work when I became a Christian.

Craig A. Keener – The Historical Jesus of the Gospels

Keener is at his best in this book. While interacting with critical scholars he sets forth a clear and accurate portrait of Jesus as He truly is.