Low vs High Christology Flashcards
What is Christology?
A theory about who Jesus christ is
What is low Christology?
Focuses on Jesus as a human being - either as a prophet or as the Messiah
What is a high Christology?
One that focuses on Jesus being God
How does Raymond Brown describe low Christology?
Covers the evaluation of Jesus in terms that do not necessarily cover divinity
How does Raymond Brown describe high Christology?
Covers the evaluation of Jesus in terms that cover an aspect of divinity
What terms does Raymond Brown associate with a low Christology?
- Messiah
- Rabbi
- Prophet
- High Priest
- Saviour
- Master
What terms does Raymond Brown associate with a high Christology?
- Lord
- Son of God
- God
How did Chriistology develop in the 1st century?
The low christology that is detectable in the synoptics evolved into the high christology that is evident in John
What are the earliest Christian documents?
The letters of Paul in the New Testament
What are the two explanations for the evolution of high Christology?
- The first Christians had a high Christological view of Jesus
- Paul created this high Christology and gradually the early churches came round to his view
Who were the Ebionites?
They were an early Christian sect who remained Jewish but thought that Jesus was their Messiah
Why dod the Ebionites disappear from history?
Because high Christological views took over and became the orthodox
What does Bart Ermhan describe most early Christians as having?
A Christology of Exaltation
What is Christolgy of Exaltation?
They believe that Jesus was a normal human being but God exalted him to divine status. This exaltation took place when Jesus rose from the dead.
What does Bart Ermhan think happened to the Christology of Exaltation?
He thinks it gradually faded as time passed
What is the adoptionist model?
The idea that God adopted Jesus to be his son
What do adoptionist view as the moment God adopted Jesus?
They see at as a moment in his baptism when a voice from heaven says: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’ (Mark 1:11)
What type of view does John’s gospel take?
A Christology of Incarnation
What is a Christology of Incarnation?
The idea that Jesus is the word made flesh, the Logos of God in a human identity
Why does John’s gospel never mention Jesus being baptised?
Because he takes the view that Jesus was always God’s Son
Why does Matthew present JTB as being reluctant to baptise Jesus?
Because Matthew holds a higher christology than Mark and views Jesus as exalted by God at birth
What do Unitarian Churches believe about Jesus?
They still adopt a low christology and view the title of ‘Son of God’ more symbolically
What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe about Jesus?
That he was an incarnation of an angelic being, but not God
