The Person of Jesus Christ Flashcards
What is the Hypostatic union?
What is Homoosios and one of its problems?
The Hypostatic union states that Jesus was as much a human as he was God. He was fully man and fully divine.
Hommousios means of one substance, or of one being. This is how Jesus can be both human and divine, he is of one substance. PROBLEM: If humans have a sinful and corrupt nature, then Hommousios would support the idea that Jesus does also (Paul).
What is the Chalcedonian Definition
The Chalcedonian definition was what most Christian denominations tracked down and agreed on as a definition of Jesus’ overall nature.
Key quotes of the Chalcedonian definition about Jesus
- ‘one and the same son, our lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead (divinity), and perfect in Manhead’ (evidence for both the hypostatic union and homoousios)
- ‘in all things like who onto us without sin. (like mankind but without the weight of sins.)
-‘Begotten before all ages of the father’ (Jesus, as he is also 100% the son, has always existed because he is part of the trinity)
- ‘divided into two persons, but one and the same son and only begotten God’
What do these three different scholarly opinions on what Jesus’ knowledge of his own nature mean….
Medieval theology
Karl Rahner
Gerald O’Collins
Medieval theology - Claimed Jesus had three types of knowledge; Scientia visionis: divine
Scientia experienetiae: human
Scentia infusa: An infusion of both
Karl Rahner - claimed that genuine human consciousness requires uncertainty. Thus, Jesus could not have always been aware of his divine knowledge. He used his analogy of an onion to explain this; Jesus human consciousness on the outside, his divine consciousness deep on the inside, within layers.
Gerald O’Collins - He dealt with the complexity of self knowledge and how we can know ourselves. He explained that Jesus was aware that as the son he had a mission of salvation for others, and had a unique relationship to the Father. Gerald explained that these were not discoveries that Jesus made but facts within his consciousness. Jesus is intuitively aware of his divine reality.
What are the two approaches to knowing Jesus’ nature.
Christology from Above - STARTS with the idea that Jesus is divine, he is God incarnate. After that you try and make sense of his human nature (asking why he came to earth, what was his purpose and what did he know.)
Christology from below - STARTS with the human historical context (eg. the gospels which were written) For example, ‘King of Jews’ and ‘Son of God’ were often titles previously given to Jewish Kings. It was never literal. His human nature comes first.
What is Docetism and why would it have been considered an act of herecy?
Docetism- States that Jesus only appeared human so God could talk to humans.
Considered Herecy because… for Jesus’ teachings to have any merit he has to be human, Jesus has to be human to know suffering on the cross (thus dying for our sins), a human brought sin ito the world so a human must take it away.
What did Hume argue about Miracles being evidence of Jesus’ divine nature.
Hume suggested that we have no present day experience of miracles, so we cannot possibly trust the accounts of his miracles taking place. He says we cannot trust the new testament accounts of his miracles either- even if they believed them fully, they could be biased. He says that Gospel accounts must be either rejected or taken on fully. If taken on fully then it does point to Jesus’ divine nature.
What did Edward Schillibeck argue about Miracles being evidence of Jesus’ divine nature?
He wanted Jesus’ miracles to be interpreted as having a spiritual or metaphorical meaning for today, rather than a literal one for past events that may or may not have happened. He argues that Jesus was a calm in life so people should allow him into their lives. This idea is not scientifically any easier to understand. Its is only explianing how Jesus steps into and calms the loves of other- and how this is still a mysterious idea.
What did N.T Wright argue about miracles being evidence of Jesus’ divine nature.
Wright mainly discussed Jesus’ miracles in terms of healing. Jesus actively healed those who had been outcast from society (social outcasts, ritually unclean, separated groups) back into a relationship with God. He seems to suggest that we need to think of ordinary people who have turmoil in their lives. His miracles are not just a show of his power but great authority. He is able to gather wide groups of people for salvation. He is ‘inaugurating God’s kingdom on earth’.
What did Gerald O’Collins say about Jesus’ resurrection being proof of his divine nature?
Resurrection vindicates his certainly of the Kingdom of God. Gerald O’Collins justifies Jesus’ authority, as he is divinely certain of heaven. The power demonstrated in his resurrection is proof of his divinity even if his preaching and miracles met with apparent defeat.
What did E.P Saunders say about Jesus’ resurrection being proof of his divine nature?
E.P Saunders suggests that resurrection distinguishes Jesus from all other preachers at the time saying ‘Without the Resurrection would Jesus’ disciples have endured longer than did John the Baptists’
How does N.T Wright develop on from what E.P Saunders says about resurrection.
N.T Wright suggests that Jesus’ resurrection was the reason that the disciples changed their traditional worship practices to focus on Jesus instead. The disciples had been shattered by Jesus’ death so without a belief in the power and authority in his resurrection them the Christian Church would not have been developed.
What does John Hick say about Jesus as a teacher of moral wisdom in his book ‘the myth of the god incarnate?’
John Hick suggests that we should adopt a metaphysical understanding of Jesus’ incarnation as Jesus is not a unique figure. His knowledge of God’s will is similar to other prophets. He can still be viewed as a historical figure who is a divinely inspired moral teacher- but we shouldn’t follow the typical christian views of Jesus’ divine nature.
JESUS AS A METAPHYSICAL INCARNATION STILL REMAINS CLOSE TO GOD AND AS AN INSPIRATION FOR THE WORLD TODAY AS HOW TO LIVE A MORAL LIFE
What does C.S Lewis say about why Jesus has to be divine as well as a teacher?
He states that Jesus has to be divine and not just a teacher of wisdom as otherwise he’d be a lunatic. This is because he claims foreknowledge of the afterlife, performs miracles and claims resurrection.
