McKinley explores and evaluates several models that have been developed of Christ’s impeccability and temptation.His pneumatological account maintains that Jesus was truly tempted in ways that are closely relevant to the temptations common to us. Thus Jesus provides true help as the credible example to follow and truly sympathetic ally in the fight against sin.
This is an approach to Christ’s impeccability and temptation through exploring and evaluating the theological models that have been developed from the early church to the present day. Drawing from tradition and the relevant biblical evidence, John McKinley argues that Jesus was truly tempted in ways that are closely relevant to the temptations common to us. Having been tempted for us in this way, Jesus can provide true help as the credible example to follow and truly sympathetic ally in the fight against sin. Key to understanding how Jesus remained unable to sin and sharply vulnerable to temptation is the role of the Holy Spirit.
Editorial Reviews
John McKinley’s Tempted for Us is a remarkable achievement! This would be true enough even if McKinley had only given us the fruits of his historical research, or only the achievement of his biblical interpretation. But perhaps the most unique value of his scholarship is the fact that his wedding together of historical research with careful exegesis of the relevant biblical materials very naturally gives rise to the most thoughtful and promising theological formulation. I suppose that I can give Tempted for Us no higher praise than simply to say that I am aware of no finer or more exhaustive treatment of the impeccability and temptation of Jesus.
Rob Lister is Assistant Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Biola University.
John McKinley speaks sense into an emotionally charged, chaotic discussion. Ever even-handed, his taxonomy and constructive proposals iron out much of the confusion over Christ’s sinlessness and temptations. Few books combine such pastoral pathos and conceptual clarity.
Matt Jenson is Assistant Professor of Theology, Torrey Honors Institute, Biola University.
Tempted for Us distinguishes itself as a work that is clearly grounded in Scripture, theologically insightful, and practically relevant. John McKinley’s survey, critique, and evaluation of the theological models of Christ’s impeccability from church history is a valuable contribution as it explores the oft-neglected role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christ, and its implications for the Christian life. Tempted for Us thus forges a fresh link between the doctrines of Christ, the Spirit, and Salvation for a better understanding of all three.
Ashish J. Naidu, Assistant Professor of Theology, Talbot School of Theology
