“Remember that Christ risked all”: Ellen White’s theology of infinite risk

Thesis

The New Testament states that Christ, as the Son of God incarnate, died for the sins of the world. But could the story have gone differently? What if Christ had sinned? Could the tomb have remained closed? More precisely, Could the Son of God be eternally separated from communion with the Father and eventually die and go out of existence?

Mainstream theology often argued for Christ’s impossibility to change (immutability), be separated from the triune God (indivisibility), and sin (impeccability). Consequently, there was no potential risk to his life; his death on the cross could not affect in any form his divine life. Using a metaphor, these concepts would guarantee for Christ a jump with a parachute. Would not the cross, instead, need a risk, or the giving up of something in favour of someone else? Here is where the question finds its raison d'être: Could the divine Son of God incarnate risk his eternal existence, losing himself forever with all humankind? This is a question that is rarely considered or discussed. The intriguing dilemma is less-explored, underestimated, or even neglected in Christological debates.

This research aims to underscore the significance of examining this particular Christological perspective through the work of the most prominent theologian of Adventism, Ellen White, a woman among the most prolific authors of the late 1800s. Considered by some a divinely-inspired prophet and certainly a significant figure for her influence on religion, White delves into what she calls the “infinite risk,” the potential reality of the death of God the Son. In a ‘theological world’ of different Christologies, her contribution to the scholarly debate has not been considered, and even less her “infinite risk” theology. Analysing White’s Christology may shed light on the still open question of what (could have) happened at the cross, cutting new paths in the comprehension of God’s love towards humanity.

Authors: Salemi, S

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-bx96yykqd
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: Latin, Hebrew, Greek, German, English, Italian
• Keywords: Adventism; theology; historical; Christology; systematic; bible; Trinity; Ellen G. White; infinite; risk; Ellen White
• Subjects: Bible; Theology; Divine man (Christology); Jesus Christ--person and offices; Incarnation; Biblical teaching; Doctrinal theology