Christology is the study of the nature, person, and role of Jesus Christ. It examines the relationship between Jesus’ divinity and his humanity, as well as his role in the salvation of mankind. Christology is considered the center of Christian theology because how one defines Jesus influences almost every other area of faith.
Two Primary Questions:
1. The Person of Christ: Who is Jesus? (His nature and identity)
2. The Work of Christ: What did Jesus do? (His mission and the significance of his life, death, and resurrection)
The Two Natures:
1. Divine: Jesus is of the same substance (homoousios) as God the Father. The act of Jesus emptying himself of his divine status to take on human form and serve humanity is called Kenosis.
2. Human: Jesus is one person in two natures (fully divine and fully human) without confusion or change. This is known as the Hypostatic Union.
Two Historical Approaches:
1. High Christology (Christology from above) begins with the divinity of Jesus as the eternal Word who became flesh (Incarnation). It emphasizes the pre-existence of Christ before his birth.
2. Low Christology (Christology from below) begins with the historical humanity of Jesus and moves toward his divinity.
Three Offices of Christ:
Theologians often categorize Jesus' mission into three offices (the munus triplex):
1. Prophet: As the one who speaks God’s Word and reveals God’s will to humanity.
2. Priest: As the mediator who offers himself as a sacrifice of atonement to reconcile humanity with God.
3. King: As the sovereign ruler who establishes the Kingdom of God.
Memory Verse: Matthew 16:16
"Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God'".
BD Freshers Orientation 03
Meyego
0 Comments