Christology

Question 1

Define Christology. What does it include?

Answer 1

It refers to the study of Christ. It includes the preexistence and eternality of Christ, OT prophecies about Christ, Christ’s humanity, deity, incarnation, his temptations and sinlessness, his death, resurrection, ascension and exaltation, return, three-fold office, and states.

Question 2

Justify Christ’s preexistence.

Answer 2

Jesus said in John 17:5 that he had glory with God before the world was. “And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”

Also in Colossians 1:17 Paul says that Christ was “in the form of God” but “humbled himself” that he was “before all things”.

Question 3

Prophecy of Christ’s lineage

Answer 3

Genesis 49:10

Luke 3:33

Question 4

Prophecy of the place of Christ’s birth

Answer 4

Micah 5:2

Luke 2:4-7

Question 5

Prophecy of Jesus as a priest

Answer 5

Psa 110:4

Heb 5:5-6

Question 6

Prophecy of Judas betraying Christ

Answer 6

Psalm 41:9

Luk 22:47

Question 7

Prophecy of Christ being sold for 30 pieces of silver

Answer 7

Zechariah 11:13

Mat 26:15

Question 8

Prophecy of Christ’s violent death and piercing.

Answer 8

Zechariah 12:10

John 19:34

Question 9

Prophecy of Christ’s resurrection.

Answer 9

Psa 16:10

Luk 24:6-7

Question 10

How do we know Jesus was fully human?

Answer 10

He had human names “Jesus”, was experienced by others as a human being (John 9:16), had a body (1John 1:1), spoke normal human languages and referred to himself as a man (Joh 8:40), others referred to him as a man, experienced life as a human being (Luke 2:52), including hunger (Matthew 4:2), thirst (John 19:28), tiredness(John 4:6), intense sorrow and distress (John 11:35), and ignorance (Mark 13:32); he also died (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Question 11

Where does it say Jesus came to fulfill the Davidic covenant?

Answer 11

Luk 1:31-33

Question 12

Why did Jesus come into the world?

Answer 12

The Son of God was revealed in order to destroy the works of the devil.(1 John 3:8)

Question 13

Name the heresies of the Ebionites, Arians, gnostics(docetism), Nestorius, Eutychianism, Appolinarius.

Answer 13

The Ebionites denied Christ’s divine nature. The Arians also claimed Jesus was only the first and highest created being (like Jehovah’s witnesses today). The Gnostics (docetism) thought Jesus only appeared human and did not have a TRULY human nature. Nestorius denied the union of the divine and human natures in one person (the divine completely controlled the human). Eutychianism denied any real distinction in Christ’s natures (human nature and divine nature combined to form a new third nature). Appolinarius denied that Jesus had a human spirit (Logos took the place of Jesus’ human spirit).

Question 14

Why did Christ suffer temptation?

Answer 14

In order to help those who are tempted, by being a high priest who knows their temptation and can make atonement for the sins of the people. (Heb 2:17)

Question 15

How does Jesus interpret the purpose of his death before it happens?

Answer 15

It is for the forgiveness of sins, the establishment of the new covenant, and the defeat of Satan. The last of these is proved in (John 12:31).

Question 16

Over how many days did Jesus appear to the Apostles? Who did he appear to?

Answer 16

40 days. He appeared to Mary Magdalene, another Mary, to Cephas, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, to James, to ten disciples, to Thomas and the other ten disciples, to seven disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, to more than 500 people, to the eleven at his ascension, and finally to Paul.

Question 17

Virtually every historical scholar on Jesus’ resurrection agrees on what? Outline the four proposed scenarios for interpreting Jesus’ death.

Answer 17

They agree that “something happened”. Scenario 1 is Rudolph Bultmann who argues that the reason for what the disciples’ experienced is not ascertainable but buried in the NT text. Second, scholars like Karl Barth and Soren Kierkegaard argued the resurrection was literal but not subject to study since it lies outside the realm of experience of history. It is accepted by “faith” alone. Jurgen Moltmann, in the third scenario, argued for a literal empty tomb as the reason for the disciples’ change from grief to joy but the resurrection per se can only be verified in the future. Fourth is scholars who argue for the real resurrection. Though Wolfhart Pannenberg argues for this fourth view, he thinks Jesus had a spiritual body, instead of a corporeal one, which people recognized as him.

Question 18

What evidences need to be taken into account for deciding whether to accept or reject the resurrection?

Answer 18

1. the empty tomb, the eyewitness testimony, the transformed lives of antagonists such as James and Paul, the existence of the church, the inability of the Jewish leaders to disprove the resurrection and the claims of the apostles, the early date and solid character of the claim to resurrection, Jesus’ ministry, death by crucifixion, and burial.

Question 19

If we operate by inference to the best explanation, then by what three historiographical standards do we know that the resurrection is the best explanation for the evidence?

Answer 19

the resurrection is the explanation possessing 1. the greatest explanatory power, 2. is the most plausible (not ad hoc), 3. and stands the greatest chance of not being finally overturned.

Question 20

What is the gospel according to Paul?

Answer 20

1Co 15:3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,
1Co 15:4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised up on the third day according to the scriptures.

Question 21

Name the six things that Christ’s resurrection demonstrates or founds.

Answer 21

1. That he is the Son of God, 2. that he will return someday to judge the entire world. 3. It is the foundation of our regeneration and spiritual/ethical life, 4. our justification, 5. our present ministry and work for the Lord, and 6. our hope of glorification and eternal communion with God.

Question 22

Give the reference for where Jesus will return to judge the world.

Answer 22

Acts 17:31

Question 23

Calvinists and other systematic theologians sometimes refer to Christ’s humiliation and exaltation. Give the four aspects of each.

Answer 23

Humiliation: 1. incarnation 2. suffering 3. death 4. burial

Exaltation 1. resurrection 2. ascension 3. session (being seated at the right hand of God) 4. return in glory

Question 24

What is the threefold office of Christ? Who systematized the idea?

Answer 24

Prophet, Priest, King. John Calvin.

Question 25

Is Christ a special prophet? Cite the prophet Moses speaks of and where the crowd recognizes this as Jesus.

Answer 25

Deuteronomy 18:18

John 6:14

John 7:40

Question 26

What’s the difference between a priest and a prophet?

Answer 26

A prophet was God’s representative to the people, the priest was the peoples’ representative before God.

Question 27

What has Jesus done as high priest? Cite the verse.

Answer 27

He has sacrificed himself instead of an animal, entered the holy of holies, the true one in heaven, and lives there forever. He makes intercession for us.

Romans 8:34

Question 28

What does Christ rule over as King?

Answer 28

Unlike David or the Israelite kings, Christ rules over the entire world, the universe, and the church.

Question 29

What lines of evidence show Jesus’ divinity?

Answer 29

John 1:1. Paul says he is the “very form of God” (Philippians 2:6). He is referred to as God (Titus 2:13). He also receives worship (Matthew 14:33).

Question 30

How do we know Christ ascended into heaven and will return bodily?

Answer 30

Acts 1:11 The angels say they will receive him from heaven in the same way they saw him go, which was bodily.

Question 31

What is Jesus doing now that he has ascended?

Answer 31

He is exalted to the throne at the right hand of God where he reigns over the universe and is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:20-22). He receives glory, praise, and honor in light of his work.

Question 32

What has Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to do?

Answer 32

To endow the church with life, love, and power until his return to be with the Church.