Why Heaven Kissed Earth

The Christology of the Puritan Reformed Orthodox Theologian, Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680)

by Mark Jones

Book cover: Why Heaven Kissed Earth

Extent: 255 pages

Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht

Subjects: Religious Studies

Series: Reformed Historical Theology

Series volume number: 13

Language: English

Hardback (Published)

(November 2010)

ISBN: 9783525569054

Price: $127.00

Out of stock

The central thesis of this study argues that the Christology of the prominent English Reformed theologian Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680) is grounded in, and flows out of, the eternal intra-trinitarian covenant of redemption, also known as the pactum salutis. In order to understand the dynamics of Goodwin’s Christology, his trinitarianism must be appreciated in the context of his covenant theology. At the heart of Goodwin’s theology is his robust trinitarianism. His Christology, which includes both the person and work of Christ, does not begin in the temporal realm at the incarnation but stretches back into eternity when the persons of the Trinity covenanted to bring about the salvation of fallen mankind. Goodwin’s Christology moves from the pretemporal realm to the temporal realm with a decidedly eschatological thrust, that is, with a view to the glory of the God-man, Jesus Christ. What this study does is connect two vital aspects of Reformed Theology, namely the doctrine of Christ and the concept of the covenant. The findings explain why heaven kissed earth, that is, why God became man. German text.

  • By (author) Mark Jones

"This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the serious study of seventeenth-century Christology, trinitarianism, and the development of Reformed covenant theology. It should simultaneously serve as a future starting point for studies on Thomas Goodwin, and it provides a vital piece of research in the growing field of Reformed Orthodoxy or Protestant Scholasticism." --Ryan M. McGraw, Calvin Theological Journal, 48(1), April 2013