Christ in Theology

Horace Bushnell's Christ in Theology (1851) is a significant work in American theology, challenging traditional views on the atonement and emphasizing the symbolic nature of religious language. Bushnell, often called the "father of American religious liberalism," sought to bridge the gap between Puritan orthodoxy and emerging romantic philosophies.1

In this work, Bushnell defended his approach to theological language, particularly focusing on metaphor and an instrumental view of the Trinity. His ideas were controversial and led to accusations of heresy, but his coherent arguments ensured his influence on Christian thought. The book contributed to a broader theological debate concerning Christology, which questioned the traditional understanding of Jesus' divine and human natures, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. This debate often distinguished between the "Jesus of history" and the "Christ of faith".123