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Ty Kieser's Theandric and Triune: John Owen and Christological Agency is a significant contribution to the ongoing scholarly engagement with the life and thought of John Owen (1616Owen ( -1683)).Situated within the broader resurgence of interest in Owen's theology and its implications for contemporary discussions, Kieser's work adjudicates the question of the divine and human agency of Christ through a critical evaluation of Owen's writings.The volume examines the coherence and theological prudence of Owen's account of Christ's theandric agency while addressing contemporary debates in Christology and trinitarian theology (pp.2-3).Kieser's core argument is that Owen presents a biblically faithful and historically grounded Christology in which Christ is a single agent who operates through two distinct agencies, divine and human, without compromising the unity of his person or the integrity of either nature.One of the book's greatest strengths is that it moves well beyond a mere description of Owen's Christology by offering a constructive reading of divine and human agency in christological action that is internally coherent, theologically prudent and deeply rooted in the classical and Reformed tradition.The book is structured in six chapters, with a conclusion summarizing the key findings.In Chapter 1, Kieser introduces the significance of 'agency' language and situates his project within the disciplines of historical and systematic theology.He highlights the need for clarity in defining 'agency' and offers a methodological framework for his approach.The chapter considers the prominence, promise, premises and definitional parameters of agency language in modern christological conversations (pp.6-17).He builds his case on four foundational commitments that arise from what he calls a 'classical and Reformed perspective', which includes classical conciliar affirmations of the ecumenical councils, classical trinitarianism, Reformed christological distinctives and the Reformed doctrine of sola Scriptura (p.17).Kieser then outlines five prima facie liabilities that arise when considering Christ's agency within the Reformed tradition -each corresponding to a contemporary theological position, including social trinitarianism, Spirit Christology and divine passibility.The coherence of Kieser's project is tested by its ability to navigate these liabilities, while its prudence is judged by its contribution to theological discourse and pastoral
Published in: International Journal of Systematic Theology
Volume 28, Issue 1, pp. 120-122
DOI: 10.1111/ijst.70011