Christology Flashcards
In what ways was Jesus at work before his birth?
-Christ was active in creation
-Christ was active in the saga of Israel
-Christ was active in the prophets
Why was the incarnation necessary for redemption? (1)
- Recapitulation: one man’s disobedience brought us death; perfect obedience to the point of death is the only way out
Why was the incarnation necessary for redemption? (2)
Two problems: After fall humans can die but can’t show perfect obedience; Son of God is perfectly obedient but can’t die as immortal God.
God’s solution: Son of God takes on mortality in human nature
Why the incarnation?
To save us and to reconcile us with God
Why the incarnation?
So that we would know God’s love for us
Why the incarnation?
To be our model of holiness- sanctification
Why the incarnation?
To share his divine nature with us
Which is true concerning Christ concerning persons/nature?
One person/two natures
What is the source of Jesus’ humanity?
Mary
T/F: Christ’s humanity was exactly the same as Adam’s prior to the Fall
False. Unlike Adam, Jesus is already subjected to sin and death.
T/F: It would be accurate to describe the incarnation as a type of metamorphosis
False. Jesus doesn’t change- he remains God.
What happened when Jesus was conceived?
The Eternal Word of God became a true flesh and blood human being
What happened when Jesus was conceived?
Incarnation: from Latin “enfleshment”
-Christ assumed our humanity
-He became fully human
-He remained fully divine
What is the earliest preaching on the person of Jesus?
Jesus is Lord
Jesus died for our sins
Jesus rose from the dead
What was understanding of Christ’s beginnings as described by the
Gospel of Mark?
Earliest Gospel
Jesus’ baptism was the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry; link to the OT in John the Baptist
Anointing as “anointed one”= Messiah
What was understanding of Christ’s beginnings as described by the Gospels of Matthew and Luke?
Jesus’ conception
What was understanding of Christ’s beginnings as described by the Gospel of John?
Latest Gospel
Before all time
What four things did the incarnation accomplish?
- Saved us from sin and death
- Reconciled us to God
- Gave us an example of holiness
- Demonstrated the extent of God’s love for us
What is the undivided Church’s understanding of the two natures of Christ?
One person/Two natures
Truly God (nature)
-of one substance with the Father
-Begotten of the Father before all ages
Truly human (nature)
-without confusion, change, division, or separation
What is the undivided Church’s understanding of the two natures of Christ?
Hypostatic Union: two natures united in one person
Why are the two natures of Christ important?
Divinity: It is Christ’s divinity that gives his death its unique power
Humanity: What has not been assumed has not been healed
What are the two major errors to avoid with Christ’s incarnation?
1a)
Denial of Christ’s Two natures
Denying/minimizing the divinity of Christ were the earliest heresies
Arianism: Chris is a creature of lesser god
Adoptionism: Christ was a hb adopted by God
What are the two major errors to avoid with Christ’s incarnation?
1b)
Denying/minimizing the humanity of Christ (later heresies)
Docetism: Christ only appeared to be human; assoc. with gnosticism
What are the two major errors to avoid with Christ’s incarnation?
2
Misunderstanding the relationship between Christ’s two natures:
Nestorianism/Adoptionism: Two different persons
Monophysitism/Eutychianism: Divinity “absorbed” humanity
Monotheletism: Two natures but a single will
Apollinarism: Two natures, but a single diving mind
Explain the concept of Christ twice born
Son of God, begotten before time
Son of Mary of Nazareth, begotten in time
