Abstract

"Christ Condemned" is a critical examination of the fundamental doctrines of Christianity. These doctrines are proven from the absolute necessity practical reason has for a solution to the problem of sin. This is inspired by the work of Immanuel Kant. As Kant proved that the existence of God is a necessary postulate of practical reason, to persevere in one's duty, so also the Incarnation and the Trinity are necessary to repent, to turn from sin to righteousness. These doctrines are illuminated in twelve propositions. Each proposition is first proven by reason, then by Scripture. The Scripture proofs not only demonstrate the doctrine itself, but also the reason for its truth. The proofs are followed by a comment explicating the concept under consideration in that proposition. Each concept is explained, first logically, then theoretically, practically, and aesthetically, and finally, theologically. Thus the whole system of reason is expounded from fundamental concepts. The first section of the work explains the nature of God. It begins with the practical proof of God's existence, propounded by Immanuel Kant, and developed by the author. God is here defined as an inwardly lawful being, righteous, blessed, and holy. It then shows that although there is only one God, who is invisible, yet he has appeared to us in Jesus Christ, through the execution of diverse judgments upon him. This harmony of judgments is necessary to make possible a transition from sin to righteousness. The second section explicates the judgments themselves. Christ is righteous, therefore innocent, but he is also condemned, though he is righteous. And because he is righteous under condemnation, he has a righteousness outside the law, which is divine. Jesus Christ is therefore both God and man. The third section explicates the objective condition of each judgment; these are the divine persons who perform manifold judgments upon Jesus Christ. One person cannot hold several conflicting judgments, therefore there must be three divine persons for three divine judgments. Christ cannot lawfully condemn himself, but the Father only condemns the Son, not for any sin committed by Christ, but solely for the glory of the Father, that men might know the divine persons. Likewise, Christ submits himself to the condemnation of the Father through his nonlegal righteousness; and the Holy Spirit justifies Christ in his submission to the condemnation of the Father. The judgments executed upon Christ, which are necessary for our salvation, are therefore lawful through three divine persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; and without them, no one can be saved. The fourth section explains how it is possible to distinguish the three divine persons within the divine nature. This is possible through the modalities. The Father's condemnation is conceived of as possible, and he is the righteousness of God. The Son's nonlegal righteousness, on the other hand, is actual, visible to us in his submission to death, and he is the blessedness of God. And the justification of the Holy Spirit is necessary, distinguished by feeling, and the Spirit is the holiness of God. The book ends with a proof of the logical coherence of the doctrines of the Incarnation and the Trinity, followed by a discussion of their objective coherence. Of peculiar interest is the new "ontotrinitarian" proof, which demonstrates the absolute necessity of God's existence from the concept of God as a Trinity. The last section of the book discusses the method of revealed theology. This includes discussions on the structure of the system of reason, on the kind of knowledge received through revelation, on the practical application of the doctrine, and its history. This is a deep, challenging book, but those who put in the effort will reap the reward: a better understanding of the Triune God, revealed in the Lord Jesus Christ, whereby the soul is edified.