The Christological Case for Compatibilism - Paperback

by Randall K. Johnson (Author), Timothy J. Pawl (Foreword by)

Classical Christology entails compatibilism. In other words, the teaching about Jesus Christ found in Scripture and affirmed in historical orthodoxy entails that free agency and moral responsibility are compatible with determinism. The Christological Case for Compatibilism demonstrates that only compatibilism is able to make sense of Christ's freedom in light of his two natural wills, his righteousness and moral praiseworthiness, and his impeccability. Libertarian models of free agency, which require either the categorical ability to do otherwise or ultimate sourcehood (or both), cannot account for the harmony of Christ's wills. Hard determinism, which undermines free agency and moral responsibility, likewise cannot account for Christ's merit or voluntary obedience. The Christological Case for Compatibilism is a work of analytic theology that draws heavily from biblical and historical theology in conversation with contemporary analytic philosophy.

Author Biography

Randall K. Johnson is the Wisdom Head of Scholé Christian Tradition in Louisville, Kentucky. He holds a BA in biblical studies from University of Northwestern, St. Paul, an MA in philosophy from Northern Illinois University, and an MDiv, ThM, and PhD in systematic theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.