The Mind of Brian

I recently read through Stephen Nichols’ book For Us and For Our Salvation. It is essentially a primer on the discussions concerning the person and nature of Jesus Christ in the first five centuries of the church (NT through Chalcedon). It was really a pretty easy read, only 140 pages or so. In my mind, it seems to serve as a good basic background for laypeople who are interested in understanding a little more about the creeds of the church and how they were produced. It is not exactly a groundbreaking or stellar sort of book, but one that I enjoyed reading and reviewing. In my mind, one of the coolest things about the book were its excerpts from some of the early church fathers on these issues, reminding us that we need to read them as well!

In addition, the book served as a great reminder of who Jesus is, fully man and fully God, two natures in one person, begotten of God, not made, and of the same substance with the Father. The fact that the early church had to fight and hammer out this doctrine reminds us of how critical this doctrine truly is. If Jesus is not this, then we are still in our sins, then his death was not able to pay the price for our sins. Theology matters! Why–because salvation is built upon our theology!