Doctrine Unit 3 Flashcards
Recite Doctrine 4
We believe that in the person of Jesus Christ the divine and human natures are united, so that he is truly and properly God and truly and properly man.
Hypostatic Union
It is a union of persons. The two natures can be distinguished, but not separated because they exist in perfect unity.
Kenotic Theory
argues that Jesus was indeed God who became man for us – one who voluntarily surrendered, or emptied himself of divine attributes in order to become one with humanity.
Characteristics of humanity of Jesus (provide bible references and specific instances)
a. Emotions – He experienced sorrow. John 11:35, “Jesus wept.”
b. Physical – He experienced hunger. Matthew 3:2, “After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.”
c. Intellectual – He was tempted in the wilderness by Satan and replied by quoting scripture. In verse 3, when Satan said to turn the stones to bread. In verse 4, Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
d. Social/Cultural – He went against the cultural norm. Matthew 9:10 “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.”
e. Spiritual being – He was sinless. 1 Peter 2:22 “He committed no sin and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
What are the implications of Christ’s humanity?
- The implication of Christ’s humanity are:
- The atoning death of Jesus can truly avail for us.
- Jesus can truly sympathize with and intercede for us.
- Jesus manifests the true nature of humanity.
- Jesus can be our example.
- Human nature is ultimately good and;
- God is not totally transcendent (so far removed)
Christology
The study of the person of Christ.
Theanthopos
The perfect union of God & man in one individual
Definition and Purpose of Incarnation
• The incarnation provides body to reveal God and to reveal God’s original design for humanity (imago dei).
Know the three bridges of the incarnation and know the title of Jesus and supporting scripture
- Lord – indicates that Jesus shares authority with God the father, exercising sovereign power, and deserving complete obedience. Luke 2:11
- Christ – “Messiah” (Greek) meaning ‘anointed one’. Jesus transformed the concept while fulfilling the promise. Mark 1:1
- Son of God – Jesus is the eternal Son of his Father God, in a loving relationship of obedience and trust, and in perfect unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:1
- Son of Man – This is Jesus’ own self-description, a description of his humanity, but may refer to the coming of a ‘Son of Man’ at the end of history. Daniel 7:13-14
- Savior – “One who saves” Luke 2:11
- Servant – God’s servant, our servant. Philippians 2:7
- The Word – meaningful expression of God in creation/re-creation – logos. John 1:1
- King – reigns with the Father over the Kingdom of God. Mark 1:14
- Judge – return to judge the living and the dead. John 9:39
- High Priest – sympathizes with our weaknesses & effectively intercedes for us with the Father. Hebrews 4:14-16
- Last Adam – Jesus’ obedience overthrows Adam’s disobedience. 1 Corinthians 15:45
- Head of the Body – Governor of the Church, he is both the origin & completion. Ephesians 1:22
Name the 4(non-biblical) ancient writings which refer to Jesus
- Pliny the Younger’s writing to Emperor Trajan
- The Roman Historian, Tacitus writings
- Suetonius’ writings
- Flavius Josephus’ writings
Provide scriptural support for the Old & New Testament witnesses to the divinity of Jesus
- Old Testament Witnesses – Isaiah 7:14, the virgin birth & Daniel 3:25, present in the fiery furnace
- New Testament Witnesses – John 20:28, Thomas & 2 Peter 1:1, Peter
- NT Witness – Jesus himself – Luke 2:49, Jesus knew He was God
- NT Witness – Jesus’ power – Acts 1:9-11, Ascension
- NT Witness – God & Holy Spirit – Luke 3:21-22, Baptism
- NT Witness – Witness of Worship – Matthew 2:11, by the Magi
- NT Witness – Attributes & Power of God – Revelation 1:11, Eternal nature
- NT Witness – Divine Acts – John 1:1-3, creation
Definitions of the various Christological heresies & how to refute them
- Ebtionitism – Jewish sect saw Jesus as purely human figure.
- Docetism – refuses to acknowledge the reality of Jesus’ true humanity.
- Gnosticism – denies of the real humanity and the actual death of Jesus
- Arianism – Only God can save, Jesus as a created being, cannot bring about salvation
- Apollinarianism – taught that Jesus possessed the body of a man, but the mind of God (miraculous mixture).
- Adoptionism – maintained that Jesus was ‘adopted’ at some time in his human life as Son of God.
- Nestorianism – questioned the possibility of the unity of God and man in one person.
- Eutychianism – Jesus was neither God nor man, but a composite, third order, of being.
What does kenosis mean?
Means emptying.
- Be familiar with the questions from the Christology quiz at
http://www.challies.com/resources/take-a-quiz-on-christ
What are the church councils which convened to respond to Christological heresies
- Council of Ephesus – condemns & refutes Nestorianiam
* Council of Chalcedon – refutes Eutychianism, gave Chalcedonian definition
