Overview Of Stephen Wellum's God The Son Incarnate

Stephen Wellum’s book, “God the Son Incarnate”, showcases Wellum’s knowledge and comprehension of contemporary and even polarizing issues, while analyzing certain viewpoints relating to Christology with a fair framework. Wellum’s purpose in writing is to evaluate these issues through the scope of Scripture in order to preserve both unity of belief among believers, and to promote truth about Christ’s being on earth. Wellum’s writing and arguments are biblical, while his analysis of other viewpoints is legitimate and fair to their respective views. Wellum divides his book into four parts and a conclusion with fourteen chapters total. Wellum’s first part handles the epistemology of Christology and focuses in two chapters upon the new ideas

Wellum seems to interact with his readers without even speaking to them face-to-face. His intelligence is obvious as he understands how his readers think while he unfurls the thoughts and attitudes of multiple viewpoints. His thoughts are organized well, formulated in parts and chapters that suit his style and patterns. Wellum writes in a way that is as deep and extensive as he needs to be in order to accurately depict his thoughts, without being overly expansive. One respect that Wellum exceeds in is his use of ample biblical examples and illustrations. Wellum understands the topics he presents well, and is also well-thought biblically on the matters he presents. Not only does he throw biblical examples as references, but he helps the reader unpack what exactly the usefulness of the scriptures are in that discussion. It is obvious that his foundation in formulating Christological thought is “from above” (or focusing on Christ’s divinity), and also formed by scriptural evidence. Wellum is also quite extensive in his use of historical evidence in Part Two and Three. This can be deemed as a negative or a positive side to Wellum’s work, depending upon the reader. As an author, you cannot appeal to all types of potential readers, but his vast use of historical proof could scare some readers off, while providing others with useful and appreciated

In one example on page 45, Wellum writes that if we looked at the “uniqueness and exclusivity of Christ” it might conflict with our idea of a “loving heavenly Father of all mankind”. If we view Christ as exclusive, and then view the Father (who Christ showed to us) as inclusive and loving, pluralism has taken hold. Wellum continues to write that this is detrimental to the health of our doctrine, as it creates a “critical Christology”. For youth, this would indeed be detrimental to their concepts of God and every theology within. Our younger generations can only remain so deep within theology as it is, but if we present clouded judgment of theology, our young are in danger of losing faith entirely for lack of