Abstract:

To understand Eric Mascall’s doctrine of the Incarnation, we must look at the ontological account he develops in his natural theology of the relationship between God as Creator and the human creature. For Mascall, an ontologically informed doctrine of the Incarnation is not only faithful to Chalcedon's definition of the Incarnation, but also provides the necessary theological foundation for a Christian understanding of humanity and its purpose, upon which a Christian Sociology can be developed. How Mascall’s Christology provides a Christian vision of humanity and its purpose, and how that vision can be advanced by the Church in the Eucharist, will be considered in this lecture.