Christology: theology and interpretations of Christ

Theology

Redemption is a fundamental feature of Christ, a sign that God is dedicated to a continual expression of love for humanity and the world. Thus, redemption is a necessary counterpart and component of Creation. Redemption is also an integral part of the covenant between God and humanity, expressed through the being of Christ. Moreover, the redemptive aspect of Christ proves that love -- the primary factor or quality of redemption -- is "greater than sin," (Ionnes Paulus 1979, 4).

The redemptive activity of Christ reveals both the justice and love of the triune God. As a "superabundance of justice," redemption balances the effects of original sin and transcends death (Ionnes Paulus 1980, 2). A revelation of God's love, redemption is mercy in action. Redemption is also love in action, and "man cannot live without love," (Ionnes Paulus 1979, 4). Therefore, the redemptive activity of Christ is necessarily an act of supreme divine justice that provides the spiritual counterpart for the mundane human experience. Ionnes Paulus also points out that Christ the Redeemer "fully reveals man to himself," meaning that redemption reveals the true nature of humanity as embodying God's love (1979, 4). There is a "human dimension of the mystery of the Redemption," (Ionnes Paulus 1979, 4). Redemption reveals "the greatness, dignity and value that belong to his humanity," (Ionnes Paulus 1979, 4). In "Dives in Misericordia," Ionnes Paulus states that the reality of the Redemption on the human dimension reveals the "unheard - of greatness of man, qui talem ac tantum meruit habere Redemptorem," (1980, 1). This is the greatness of man that precedes and supersedes sin. Christ died in order to reveal this essential nature of humanity.

Redemption teaches genuine self-awareness, which can lead to a fuller understanding of God and the Christ. Through the merciful nature of redemption, a person achieves union with God. Moreover, redemption enables the mystery of eternal life to be bestowed upon any man or woman who chooses to receive it. Eternal life through Christ is made possible by redemption. The paschal mystery itself embodies the truth of redemption as a core component of Christ. Redemption is why Christ died on the cross. In the reality of the passion and death of Christ, "absolute justice is expressed, for Christ undergoes the passion and cross because of the sins of humanity," (Ionnes Paulus 1980, 1-2).

Interestingly, Ionnes Paulus notes that redemption forms the foundation of Church life and the very existence of Christianity. When redemption puts a human being in touch with the core essence of his or her spiritual being, that individual becomes amazed not only by the glory of Christ itself but also by the presence of the manifestation of that Glory in the Good News. The Good News, the faith that binds together Christians and indeed all human beings, "vivifies every aspect of authentic humanism" and also "fixes Christ's place…in the history of man and mankind," (Ionnes Paulus 1979, 4). Redemption has a restorative effect and a balancing effect, which is the essence of spiritual justice. This is because the redemptive nature of Christ has "definitively restored his dignity to man, and given back meaning to his life in the world, a meaning that was lost to a considerable extent because of sin," (Ionnes Paulus 1979, 4). Moreover, justice is "brought to bear upon death," (Ionnes Paulus 1980, 3).

In addition to being an expression of the infinite nature of God's divine justice meted out on the human level, the Redemption is also an expression of the fullness and purity of God's love. Justice in the spiritual sense "springs completely from love: from the love of the Father and of the Son, and completely bears fruit in love," (Ionnes Paulus 1980, 2). Justice and love go hand-in-hand. The one, justice, rectifies sin. The other, love, restores the original fullness of God's creation, revealing the true power of the triune God.

There is a cyclical nature to Redemption. Redemption is also mysterious in the sense that it exists because of sin, but it exists to eliminate, purge, and purify sin. The mystery of the Redemption is also evident in the "wonderful self-communication of God to man," that reveals itself once the shackles of sin are removed and cease to interfere with the direct experience of God (Ionnes Paulus 1980, 2). By revealing love, redemption completes the cycle of necessity: of sin to mercy to revelation to love. The triune nature of God is also expressed through the cyclical nature of Redemption. Redemption helps to unify the three aspects of God. On the cross, Christ communicates with God as the Father, expressing the divine link between humanity, Christ, and God the Father. At the same time, Christ enables a connection to be made between humanity and the Holy Spirit. Redemption essentially "grants participation in the very life of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit," (Ionnes Paulus 1980, 2).

Redemption and mercy are counterparts of one another; it is impossible to redeem without the possession and expression of mercy. Mercy must have its ultimate manifestation as spiritual redemption Ionnes Paulus points out, "mercy is an indispensible dimension of love," as if it were "love's second name," (1980, 3). Mercy is a sword cutting through the sin clouding the human experience and challenging Christ. Death and sin are intimately linked; redemption cuts this link and liberates humanity from the cycle of sin and death.

The death of Christ makes redemption possible. Christ's death represents the "radical revelation of mercy" and love (Ionnes Paulus 1980, 3). The cross is the rendering of absolute justice, even if it comes -- or because it comes -- " at the price of the death of the one who was without sin and who alone was able-by means of his own death-to inflict death upon death," (Ionnes Paulus 1980, 3). The paradoxical nature of the crucifixion becomes poignantly evident through the act of Redemption. Redemption arrives due to the presence of death and its ultimately being meted out to Christ, not as an act of punishment but as an ironic act of mercy and love. Death becomes essential to eliminate death; the death of Christ a divine mystery that provides the salve for humanity so that humanity can once again participate in the great heart of God. As Christ died and forged the connection between all three components of the triune God, the momentous event of the crucifixion paved the way for humanity's salvation.