The Theology of the Primacy of Christ according to St. Thomas and its Scriptural Foundations by Thomas R. Potvin, O. P. (review)

BOOK REVIEWS The Theology of the Primacy of Christ according to St. ThomatJ and its Scriptural Foundations. By THOMAS R. POTVIN, 0. P. Fribourg: The University Press, 1973. (Vol. 50 of Studia Friburgensia, New Series) Under the direction of J. H. Nicolas, 0. P., Fr. Thomas Potvin has published his thesis which is a through study of Christ's primacy according to the theology of St. Thomas together with its scriptural foundations. Since any authentic theology must flow from God's revealing word as a reflection upon it Potvin begins his study by considering the biblical context for Christ's primacy or lordship. He finds this in the term, "Head," a multi-faced term involving the notions of leadership and influence as well as the biblical categories of " recapituation " and " principle. " When Paul speaks of reestablishing all things in Christ he is speaking of making Christ the Head, and this implies the Semitic concept of authority based upon preeminence and the Greek concept of a life principle. The Greek and Latin Fathers emphasize the notions of plenitude and of influence on the part of the Head toward the members. St. Thomas underlines the preeminence of the Head in terms of dignity, nobility, and perfection; it is likewise a principle or source. The relationship between Head and members is one of distinction and conformity: distinction by virtue of its dignity, its role of governing, its causality; conformity through nature, order, and continuity. Of great importance for the question of Christ's primacy is Phil. fl:5-ll which is possibly Pauline in origin, according to Potvin. In this text we probably have the beginnings of the Church's meditation on the preexistent Christ, a reflexion initiated by the experience of Christ on the part of the early Christian community. What seems to be emphasized here is the dignity of the preexistent Christ. The exaltation of Christ to the position as Lord of the cosmos, though mentioned in the context of his preexistence, would seem to be the result of God's gracious act toward the historical Christ who had suffered and died of obedience. In regard to Col. I: 15-flO the author believes that modern exegesis sees an immediate reference to the second Person of the Trinity in his state of preexistence. Christ is seen " from above, " as God coming to man. Any reference to the Incarnate Christ is due to the communication of idioms. The preexistent Christ is seen to be already present in the cosmos before presiding over mankind's history; in Col. 1:18-flO there would be a 768 BOOK REVIEWS 769 reference to Christ's earthly mission seen in the light of its fulfillment with his glorification. Potvin considers John's doctrine of the Logos as in fact Johannine. Logos is not merely a functional title but also an ontological one, describing Christ's divine nature. Augustine and Thomas legitimately utilize the Johannine doctrine on the Logos to express the inner-Trinitarian life of God. He finds in the Prologue the pattern of pre-existence, descent-ascent. The message of Hebrews 1:1-4 is likewise centered around the pre-existent Son who participates in creation. He has become one of us in order to deliver us from sin. His divinity and preexistent glory have been manifested to us through his glorification and enthonement. The primacy of Christ in the scriptural message of the sacred authors is placed within the context of salvation history: the manifestation-actualization of God's salvific plan for man. Yet ultimate questions concerning the identity of Christ in terms of preexistence, equality with the Father and distinction from him are also posed and answered by the New Testament authors. Christ's authority and lordship, according to these authors, are rooted in his divine Sonship. As Son of God Christ is active in creation; as Incarnate-Son he is the summit and perfection of all creation. The New Testament provides the basis for such a systematization. In chapter three Potvin undertakes a study of Christ's role in creation, beginning with methodological principles. " Functional " theology and " ontological " theology are not mutually exclusive. Revelation cannot be reduced to salvation history; there is...