Francis Ferrier

This is a very dated but delightfully entertaining, though unabashedly partisan and apologetic, account of the doctrine of the incarnation: from its scriptural sources, through the Christological controversies of Nicaea and Chalcedon, and engaging with some of the positions of the Magisterial Reformers as well as the "rationalism" (presently called scientism) that rejects the truth of anything that is not "reasonable."

In addition to the historical development, the sophisticated ideas presented in the primary sources with their technical Greek and Latin vocabulary are very clearly explained, which takes a degree of skill for which both the author and the translator must be commended. Here too, though, the partisan sentiments of the author are displayed: while I would find this seriously objectionable in a contemporary text for ecumenical reasons, in this dated text I cannot help but giggle over statements such as

Thus the Greeks had at their disposal two terms [sarkosis (made flesh) and enanthroposis (made human)] to refer to the mystery, while the less subtle but scientifically more secure Latin compelled the Western church to keep the the one term Incarnation, or made flesh. (28)

and

The Greeks, lovers of subtleties, warmed more than any Westerner can appreciate to the possibility of theological jousts; they could never let any change for the better take place quietly without a fray. (53-4)

Despite these flaws, the clarity of the explanation and the reliance on primary sources is really very well done, especially as it seems clear that this book (and the series of which it was a part) was intended for the ordinary well-educated lay Catholic and not for the academy. We could do with more such books today.… (plus d'informations)