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Christology: The Identity of Jesus as Both God and Man
In the Bible, Jesus identifies himself as both God and man most explicitly in the book of John. In the first book of John, the Apostle John famously writes: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). According to Elwell, statements such as "I and [my] Father are one" (John 10:30) and "before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58) refer to the fact that Jesus is connected to the wisdom of God in the Old Testament, to the Law of God in the Old Testament, yet also to the concept of God-made-flesh in the New Testament.[footnoteRef:1] [1: Walter Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary Theology. 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001), p.241]
Jesus is not merely the embodiment of Mosaic Law, however. His sacrifice has a spiritual dimension as well as a physical dimension. As the Apostle Paul says: "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have...
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe" (Galatians 3: 19-22). The physical, earthly act of God's sacrifice on earth obviates the need for obeying the letter of the law as it is a fulfillment of the law in spirit.
This notion of the multifaceted, complex nature of God fulfilling both the spirit and the law of God is intrinsic the concept of hypostatic union, the idea that a monotheistic God has an existence of three persons in the form of a unified trinity.[footnoteRef:2] "In the incarnation of the Son of God, a human nature was inseparably united forever with a divine nature in the one person of Jesus Christ, yet with the two natures remaining distinct and unchanged."[footnoteRef:3] These persons are both distinct, yet also unified and perfect. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). [2: Elwell, p. 583] [3: Elwell, p. 583]
Accepting this dual nature of Christ as both God and Man is essential to understanding the full scope and significance of Jesus' sacrifice. It is not merely enough to honor the divine aspect of Jesus as he comes to earth as a sacrifice of God's own begotten son; it is also important to…
Bibliography
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2001
Morality is not a cookbook that one can follow in a step-by-step fashion. This is a potent reply to people who often ask, 'why cannot I be good, without Christ,' or without even a sense of a constant, steadfast, personal ethical system. When ministering to others, frequently one is asked: 'but can't I just follow the golden rule?' Although there is some truth to the importance of simply doing unto
In the Personal Form, on the other hand, individuals do not get away with moral transgressions. Their personal approach to life is colored not by materialism but by core spiritual ethics and values. The Person is elevated above the commodity and not vice-versa. Prayer is also made communal: as such prayer has the power to transform not just the individual but the community as a whole. Moreover, the prayer is
HTH-515 Topic 5Christology and SalvationI. The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus in the BibleIn the table below, identify six key biblical verses that establish Jesus's humanity (three verses) and divinity (three verses) and briefly explain their significance by paraphrasing what the passage says in your own words. [150-200 words]The Humanity and Divinity of Jesus in ScriptureScripture ReferenceBrief Explanation of TextsHebrews 4:15Chris is identified as the great High Priest, who stands
Orthodox Position of the Person of Christ Jesus Christ is at the center of the Christian doctrine as every theological thought in Christianity revolves around his personality as one of the Holy Trinity. Christ's divine and human nature on one side and his mission of savior of the world, on the other, have provided endless sources for discussion and debates over the decades. Theologians, historians and philosophers have tried to reconcile
Christ Was and How it Relates to His Work To be a Christian fundamentally means to believe in Christ, in the person of Jesus. There are many different types of Christians, including Baptists, Catholics, Evangelicals, and Lutherans. Christians believe that there is only one God, and that God is a Trinity of God the Father, Christ the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This is not an example of three Gods
Christian religion, the Old and New Testaments form a whole upon which its belief system is based. The transition between the Old and New Testaments resides in the person of Christ, who came to earth as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Messianic prophesy. This transition then occurs not only through the ultimate sacrifice of Christ at his death and resurrection, but also in his ministry during his lifetime. Christ