TheĀ pistisĀ ChristouĀ construction in Paul's lettersĀ has ignited heated debates among Pauline scholars and theologians.Ā On the one side, some claim that the phrase denotes human faith placedĀ in Christ. Others, however, contend thatĀ pistis ChristouĀ in Paul alludes to the faithfulnessĀ of ChristĀ himself, with Christ'sĀ pistisĀ chiefly demonstrated in his willingness to suffer and die upon the cross. Yet both sides of this debate overlook Paul's emphasis on the faithfulness and continuing work ofĀ theĀ risenĀ andĀ exaltedĀ Christ.
InĀ The Faithfulness of the Risen Christ, David J. Downs and Benjamin J. Lappenga focus upon the resurrectionĀ and exaltation of JesusĀ inĀ their discussion ofĀ pistis Christou. They claim that when Paul writes of Christ'sĀ pistis,Ā he refers toĀ the faithfulness of the risen and exalted Christ. Downs and Lappenga carefully survey Paul's use ofĀ pistisĀ in Philippians,Ā the Corinthian letters, Galatians, Romans,Ā and Ephesians, revealing howĀ pistisĀ epitomizesĀ the risen Christ's continuing faithfulnessĀ toward all those who participate in him byĀ pistis. Downs and Lappenga effectively reframeĀ any future consideration of theĀ pistis ChristouĀ construction for both New Testament scholars and theologians by showing that the story of Jesus in the letters of Paul extends to the faithfulness of the exalted Christ Jesus, who will remain faithful to those justified through union with Christ.