Why did Jesus come? The traditional argument is that he came to redeem us from sin and destroy death, and thus reverse the fall. Many have long found this unsatisfactory, because it centres human deficit, rather than divine abundance. In this study, Samuel Wells traces his notion of 'being with' right into the Trinity itself, and in dialogue with Maximus the Confessor, Duns Scotus and Karl Barth, among others, articulates a truly Christocentric theology in which God's means and God's ends are identical. In the process, Wells not only greatly expands the compass of 'being with,' showing its scriptural and doctrinal significance, but also offers a constructive account of the incarnation, cross and resurrection of Jesus that out-narrates conventional atonement theories. Wells correspondingly proposes an account of sin, evil, suffering and death that accords with this revised understanding. The result is a compelling and transformational proposal in incarnational theology.

‘In this stunning book Sam Wells mobilizes his immense powers of erudition and generativity to a breath-taking end. Wells’ critical work is to show that sin, evil, and the fall are not definitional for the work of Christ, but are incidental to his purpose. In his generativity Wells persuasively insists that the intent of God, and therefore the work of Christ, is to be with us to eternity, so that we may be with God to eternity. Wells has set down a marker for a fresh wave of reflection and interpretation. He shows himself to belong to the top rank of church thinkers who matter in the very long run to our life of faith.’

Walter Brueggemann - Columbia Theological Seminary

‘Writing with erudition, grace and wisdom, Sam Wells makes the bold claim that Christ's coming was not dependent on the fall but was always God's purpose. In short he refuses to let sin determine Christ's work. To sustain this insight he offers a stirring display of scriptural, historical, and systematic arguments that defy disciplinary lines. This is a book that will change minds and disrupt conventional theology, leading those who customarily regard themselves as disruptors to realise how conventional they are, and refocusing theology on how God disrupts our complacent half-truths. Wells' remarkable and thrilling proposal will inspire Christians to be what they are called to be, that is, people that God enjoys.’

Stanley Hauerwas - Duke Divinity School, Duram, North Caroline

‘This is a book that overturns tables. It is a profound challenge to a range of deeply-entrenched theological positions, written with Wells' characteristic clarity, fluency, urgency, and compassionate concern. It is the culmination of decades of theological reflection, enriched at every point by his experiences as a preacher and pastor. It is a ‘God-struck’ book, by one for whom the good news of the Gospel is as fresh and revolutionary as ever.’

Ben Quash - King's College London

‘After a series of highly creative as well as influential books in ethics, ecclesiology, mission, and on pastoral concerns, in this theological study Sam Wells zooms in on what he considers the heart of it all: God’s intention to be Jesus Christ, human beings to be with Jesus as his friends, and creation called into being as the theater of this friendship. For Wells, the incarnation is not simply God’s response to sin, but God’s first and fundamental commitment that holds all of creation together. Exegetically grounded, theologically reflective, and pastorally committed, this is a first order contribution to supralapsarian Christology. I am already looking forward to engage this book for a long time.’

Edwin Chr. Van Driel - Pittsburgh Theological Seminary