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**Irenaeus and Christology: Exploring Divine-Human Unity**

Delve into Irenaeus' Christology through two foundational principles - one God and Jesus as Lord. Discover how Jesus is both human like us and divine. Explore Irenaeus' argument on the union of God and humanity in Jesus Christ, overcoming sin and death. Unveil key ideas of divine-human unity, covenant, recapitulation, and growth in Christ. Unravel Melito of Sardis' interpretations next!

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**Irenaeus and Christology: Exploring Divine-Human Unity**

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  1. Irenaeus and Christology

  2. Christological starting points • Two givens: • There is only one God, and • Jesus is Lord • Two sources: scriptures and worship • Questions • Can God suffer? • How is Jesus human like the rest of us? • How is Jesus divine?

  3. Background • Irenaeus born ca. 140, in Asia Minor • Went to Gaul (France), became bishop of Lyons • Big book: Against Heresies, mostly refuting Marcion and other Gnostics • Written ca. 180 (Marcion active ca. 150 in Rome—clearly, the ideas are spreading)

  4. Terms • God = divinity. A general term. • Christ = “chosen one”, “Messiah” • A title of honor. Applied to Jesus in faith. • Word (“Logos”) = divine name for second person of the Trinity. Specific term. • In Greek philosophy, refers to the principle of rationality in creation. • Son = specific and relational divine term, Son of the Father • Jesus = the human being Jesus of Nazareth • Proper name, not a title or statement of belief. • Jesus Christ = belief that the man Jesus is the Messiah

  5. Irenaeus’ argument • The Christian God has really entered the world, and does so in a particular way in Jesus Christ • Jesus Christ was really human • Suffered, subject to hurt • Sums up human existence • Overcomes what went wrong in Adam (symmetry) • Jesus Christ also divine • United humanity with God by uniting the two in his own self • Conquered power of death and sin (Christus Victor) • Descended from heaven to take up human nature

  6. Other key ideas • “One and the same” • One God of both creation and salvation, of OT and NT • One covenant between God and people, expressed in different historical periods (dispensations) • Recapitulation • Jesus Christ sums up what is essentially human • Essentially like all people • Paradigm of growth (not loss of perfection) • Human beings created good but not finished, needed to grow into maturity • Jesus Christ completes/perfects human nature

  7. For next time • Melito of Sardis • How does he interpret the Exodus Passover story? • What are the most salient characteristics of Jesus, for Melito? How is he human, how divine?

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