Where The Battle Rages

I am midway into Systematic Theology 3, the last of the three course cycle. During Systematic Theology 2, we read most of Stephen Wellum’s God the Son Incarnate, excepting the first two chapters on the need for a warranted Christology and the three related to recent kenotic alternatives to classical Christology. With a break for the Christmas holiday, I went back and finished the book, and the following stood out in the first couple of pages I read:

If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on the battle front besides, is merely flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.

Maybe Martin Luther, quoted by Francis Schaefer, quoted by Stephen Wellum in God the Son Incarnate, p39

What a challenge!

In any case, I could easily argue that God the Son Incarnate was one of the best reads of 2022. A challenging and fruitful read, and the perfect counterpoint to much of ministry this year. I guess that is only to be expected of deliberate study of the person and work of Christ. The overwhelming joy and settled confidence of well articulated biblical theology and fruitful historical reflection only adds to the unique joy of the season!