CHRISTOLOGY

1. CHRISTOLOGY Coastland University

2. Christology from Above Historic, Ecumenical and Creedal Approach Postulates that God, the Second Person, took unto himself true humanity Does not rule out Christology from below Christology from Below Favorite method of modern theologians Emphasizes humanity of Christ and his complete openness to God Does not rule out “from above” but infrequently goes there APPROACHES TO CHRISTOLOGY

3. ORTHODOX CHRISTOLOGY • Christ is God even as the Father is God • Christ is Human even as we are, excepting for sin • Christ is truly one person • God, the SON, took unto himself a true human nature and became the God-Man

4. Old Testament Hebrew Ht – missing the mark Hattat – deviation from a norm Pesha – breach of relationship, revolt against authority Wh – twisting Avon – guilt from deliberate wrongdoing Segagah - straying Resa - wickedness Word Connotations – Sin

5. New Testament Greek Hamartia – miss the mark Paraptouma – error in measurement - measure Parabeasis – beyond the norm, outside the bounds Asebai – ungodliness Anomia – lawless Adikea – unrighteousness, typically against a neighbor. Word Connotations – Sin

6. The Predicament of Sin • Who can restore creation from its brokenness? • What possibilities exist.

7. Luke 19:10 • Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

8. A Savior comes to Earth • Galatians 4:4 “In the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, 5 in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. • The New American Standard Bible, (La Habra, California: The Lockman Foundation) 1977. • Politically • Culturally • Religiously

9. The Purpose of His Coming“to give eternal life” • John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” • John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

10. The Purpose of His Coming“to give His life” • Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

11. The Purpose of His coming“to reveal the Father” • John 14:9 “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” • John 3:34 “For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

12. The Purpose of His coming“to take our sin” • I Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

13. The Purpose of His coming“to be an example” • I Peter 2:21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example” • John 13:15 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

14. The Purpose of His coming“to reconcile the world” • II Corinthians 5:18, 19 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

15. His birth – A Virgin birth • Luke 1:35 “The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” • Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

16. His birth – An incarnation • John 1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning.3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” • Colossians 2:9 “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

17. His birth – Characterized by Humility • The Circumstances – Luke 2:8-14 • 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” • Hebrew 2:14 “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

18. His Natures - Divine“to accomplish reconciliation” • Colossians 2:9 “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” • John 1:1-4 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

19. His Natures – Human“to enable Jesus to represent us” • Luke 24:39 “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” • Hebrews 2:14 “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

20. Some of His Names - • Jesus – Yeshau – Yahweh is our salvation • Savior – Matthew 1:21 • Messiah – “anointed one” • Teacher - Mk. 4:38; 9:17, 38; 10:17 • Master - Lord • Son of David • Son of Man • Jesus most commonly used self referent.

21. Jesus office • Prophet – Luke 4:18,19 cf. Isaiah 62:1,2 • Priest – Hebrews 3:1; 4:14, John 1:29 • King – Luke 1:32,32; Isaiah 9:7; Ephesians 1:22; Matthew 28:18

22. Luke 4:18,19 quoting Isaiah 61:1,2 • “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me • to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me • to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and • recovery of sight for the blind, • to release the oppressed, • to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

23. “Doing the Father’s will” • John 4:34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

24. The Saving Work of Christ • Humiliation of Christ – His Experience • Leaving heavenly Glory - Philippians 2:6,7 • Suffering • In His life – His own reject Him – John 1:11 • Forsaken by His disciples – Judas, Peter • Condemned and sentenced by man • Silently bears reproach. • Death – the Cross – will to die – John 10:17,18 • The grave

25. The Saving Work of Christ • His Death – Its meaning • The curse of sin – Romans 6:23 • Christ took the curse upon himself – John 1:29, Mark 10:45, Gal. 3:13, I Peter 2:24, Col 1:19. • The Great High priest • The Offerer - Galatians 4:14 • The Offering – Hebrews 9:28

26. The Saving Work of Christ • His Resurrection – its meaning • The Seal of His work – Philippians 2:8,9 • Defeated death – Acts 2:24, I Cor. 15:20 • Defeated Satan – Ephesians 1:22; 4:8 • The First – I Corinthians 15:20

27. The Saving Work of Christ - Its significance for us • We are now at peace with God • Romans 5:9-11 “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

28. The Saving Work of Christ - Its significance for us • We are free from the curse of the Law • Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” • Romans 4:25 “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. • (We are justified) • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

29. The Saving Work of Christ - Its significance for us • Our view of life has changed • Colossians 3:1-2+ “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

30. The Saving Work of Christ - Its significance for us • The basis for our Hope • 2 Cor. 4:14 “because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.” • I Peter 1:3 “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

31. The Ascended Lord • John 14:2 “I am going there to prepare a place for you.” • John 17:24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

32. The Ascended Lord - His ongoing work • John 15:26 “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.” • Romans 8:34 “Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” • Ephesians 1:22 “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

33. Revelation 1:17,18 • “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” • The New International Version, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House) 1984.

34. CHRIST IS GOD • Old Testament • Psalm 2:6-12, “You are my son” • Psalm 45:6-7, “Your throne, O God” • Psalm 110:1ff, “The LORD says to my Lord” • Isaiah 9:6, “The Mighty God” • Jeremiah 23:6, “The LORD our Righteousness” • Micah 5:2, “from everlasting” • Malachi 3:1, “the Lord will come to his temple”

35. CHRIST IS GOD • New Testament: Matthew • Matthew 9:6, forgives sins • Matthew 11:7, complete knowledge of the Father • Matthew 14:33, receives worship • Matthew 16:16, “Son of God” • Matthew 28:18, “All authority” • Matthew 28:19, baptismal formula • Matthew 7:21, 10:32-3, 11:25-7, “My Father”

36. CHRIST IS GOD • New Testament: John • John 1:1, “Word was God” • John 2:24 “knew what was in man” • John 5:18 “making himself equal with God” • John 11:1-14, Raising Lazarus from the dead • John 20:28, “My Lord and My God” • I John 1:3; 2:23; 4:14-5; 5:5, 10-13, 20

37. CHRIST IS GOD • New Testament: Other Texts • Romans 9:5, “God, over all, blessed” • Philippians 2:6, “existed in the form of God” • Colossians 2:9, “in him all fullness dwells” • Titus 2:13, “the great God and our Savior” • Hebrews 1:3, “exact representation of his nature” • Hebrews 1:8, “Your throne, O God” • Revelation 19:16, “King of Kings, Lord of Lords”

38. CHRIST IS HUMAN • Genesis 3:15, Seed of the Woman • Genesis 49:8-10, Tribe of Judah • II Samuel 7, Psalm 89, Family of David • Isaiah 7:14, born of a virgin • Isaiah 53, to suffer and die

39. CHRIST IS HUMAN • Matthew 1, Luke 2, Galatians 4:4, born • Luke 2:52, grew in wisdom and stature • Hebrews 2:14, had flesh and blood • Luke 24:39, had flesh and bone • Matthew 24:36, ignorant of the day of judgment

40. DEFINITION OF CHALCEDON - Hypostasis TWO NATURES/ONE CHRIST Deity Humanity Inseparably Inconfusedly Unchangeably Indivisibly

41. Hypostatic Union • A theological term used with reference to the Incarnation to express the revealed truth that in Christ one person subsists in two natures, the Divine and the human. Hypostasis means, literally, that which lies beneath as basis or foundation. Hence it came to be used by the Greek philosophers to denote reality as distinguished from appearances (Aristotle, "Mund.", IV, 21). It occurs also in St. Paul's Epistles (II Cor., ix, 4; xi, 17; Heb., i, 3:iii, 14), but not in the sense of person. Previous to the Council of Nicæa (325) hypostasis was synonymous with ousia, and even St. Augustine (De Trin., V, 8) avers that he sees no difference between them. The distinction in fact was brought about gradually in the course of the controversies to which the Christological heresies gave rise, and was definitively established by the Council of Chalcedon (451), which declared that in Christ the two natures, each retaining its own properties, are united in one subsistence and one person (eis en prosopon kai mian hpostasin) (Denzinger, ed. Bannwart, 148). They are not joined in a moral or accidental union (Nestorius), nor commingled (Eutyches), and nevertheless they are substantially united.

42. KEY TERMS Father-Hypostasis, Persona One God Essence (Ousia) Son- Hypostasis, Persona Holy Spirit- Hypostasis, Persona Human Ousia, Nature Divine Ousia, Nature

43. HUMILIATION • He humbled himself, see Phil. 2:7, 8: Kenosis “He laid aside the divine majesty, the majesty of the sovereign Ruler of the universe, and assumed human nature in the form of a servant.” Berkhof, ST, 332.

44. HUMILIATION • Incarnation (Gal. 4:4, Isa. 9:6, Heb/ 2:14, Phil. 2:7) • Made under the Law (Gal. 4;4, John 6:38, Heb. 5:8, Phil. 2:8) • Sufferings and Death (Isa. 53) • Wrath of God (II Cor. 5:21, Isa. 53:12, Ps. 40:12, Matt. 27:46) • Death and Burial • The descent into hell

45. EXALTATION • Resurrection: John 2:19-21;10:18, 11:25; Acts 2:24, 32; 3:26, 5:30; Rom.6:4; I Cor. 15:20; Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5 • Ascension: Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50-53; John 6:62; 14:2,12; 16:5, 10, 17, 28; 17:5; 20:17; Acts 1:6-11; Eph. 1:20; 4:8-10; I Tim. 3:16; Heb. 1:4; 4:14; 9:24 • Session at the Right Hand of God: Matt. 26:64; Acts 2:33-36; 5:31; Eph.1:20-22; Heb. 10:12; I Peter 3:22; Rev. 3:21; 22:1; Rom. 14:9; I Cor. 15:24-28; Heb. 2:7,8; I John 2:1 • Judging the World at the Last Day: John 5:22,27; Acts 10:42,17:31; Matt. 19:28; 25:31-34; Luke 3:17; Rom. 2:16; 14:9; I Cor. 3:13-15; II Cor. 5:10; II Tim. 4:1; James 5:9

46. CHRISTOLOGICAL ERRORS Arianism NOT TRULY GOD Apollinarianism NO HUMAN SPIRIT

47. CHRISTOLOGICAL ERRORS Apollinarianism NO HUMAN SPIRIT Nestorianism TWO PERSONS

48. CHRISTOLOGICAL ERRORS Nestorianism Eutychianism TWO PERSONS ONE WILL

49. COUNCILS • Nicea, A.D. 325, condemned Arianism as heresy (homoousios) • Constantinople, A.D. 381, condemned Apollinarianism as heresy • Ephesus, A.D. 431, condemned Nestorianism as heresy • Chalcedon, A.D. 451, condemned Eutychianism as heresy

50. DEFINITION OF CHALCEDON We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, or a reasonable soul and body; consubstantial with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person and one Subsistence not parted or divided into two persons, but one and the same Son, and only begotten, God the Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the prophets from the beginning have declared concerning him, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself has taught us, and the Creed of the holy Fathers has handed down to us.