Introduction

This chapter considers the constructive christology of John Macquarrie's, and the account of the humanity and divinity of Christ which he offers. It provides the opportunity to raise a number of critical issues. The chapter assesses Macquarrie's emphasis on the humanity of Christ, and its outcome in a somewhat adoptionist account of christology, in relation to his discussion of kenotic christologies. In discussion with Stephen Sykes, it suggests Macquarrie's christology points to the way in which his rejection of the monarchical model of divine power does not entail a rejection of divine power per se. The self-giving of God is 'powerful' in that it gives being and summons into possibility. The chapter also considers Macquarrie's approach to the transition from adoptionism to incarnationism in classical christology, in contrast to the modern adoptionist approach. It explores Macquarrie's writings on pre-existence and kenosis in the two essays: 'The pre-existence of Jesus Christ' and 'Kenoticism Reconsidered'.