CHECK: jesus the son of god:

How did early Christians identify Jesus with God?

• Early Christians identified Jesus with God by applying the term 'God' to him in the New Testament.

• Examples:

  • John 1:1,18

  • John 20:28

  • Hebrews 1:8-9

  • Romans 9:5

  • Titus 2:13

  • 2 Peter 1:1

  • 1 John 5:20

• Paul referred to Jesus as "God's own Son" (Romans 8:32).

• Jesus is called God’s ‘only’ son or ‘own’ son, implying something unique about his divine nature.

What events in the New Testament emphasize Jesus as the Son of God?

• The Baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-23)

• The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18)

How does Jesus’ knowledge of God highlight his divine and human nature?

• Jesus calls God ‘Abba’ (Greek for ‘Father’ or ‘Dad’).

• A heavenly voice declares Jesus "my son" at his baptism (Mark 1:9-11) and the transfiguration (Matthew 17).

• Jesus does not use the term ‘Son of God’ for himself.

• His birth involved the Holy Spirit and Mary (Matthew 1:18).

• Unlike Greek and Roman myths of demi-gods, Jesus is considered fully God and fully human, not a hybrid being.

What biblical evidence supports Jesus' divine nature?

• John 1:1 - "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

• John 20:28 - Thomas refers to Jesus as "My Lord and my God."

• Hebrews 1:8 - A Psalm is addressed to Jesus as God.

• John 14:16, 26 - Jesus says God's spirit will come again in his name.

• Matthew 1:21, Luke 2:11 - Jesus has saving, God-like power.

• Romans 1:23, 1 Corinthians 1:2 - Jesus is worshipped, which is reserved for God.

What was the Council of Chalcedon's teaching about Jesus' divine and human nature?

• The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) declared that Jesus is:

  • "Truly God and truly man"

  • "Perfect in Godhead and perfect in manhood"

  • "Consubstantial [coessential] with the Father according to the Godhead"

  • "Consubstantial with us according to the Manhood"

  • "In all things like unto us, without sin"

  • "One and the same Christ, Son, Lord, Only-begotten"

• This doctrine is called the Hypostatic Union: Jesus has two natures (divine and human) united in one person.

What were the theological debates about Jesus' humanity?

• Jesus had to be divine to save humanity but also fully human to suffer and die.

• If Jesus did not suffer, then the Resurrection would be meaningless.

• Gregory of Nazianzen (AD 329-390): "What he has not assumed, he has not healed." (If Jesus wasn’t fully human, he couldn't save humanity.)

• Paul (Romans 7:18-19): Humans have a sinful, corrupt nature, raising the question of whether Jesus could have sin.

• Bishop Apollinaris of Laodicea suggested that Jesus replaced the human mind with a divine one to avoid corruption.

• Gregory of Nazianzen rejected this idea, calling it "half salvation."

• The Church condemned Apollinarianism as heresy.

How did the early Church resolve debates about Jesus' divinity and humanity?

• First Council of Nicea (AD 325):

  • Declared that Jesus was of the same substance as the Father (homoousios).

• Council of Chalcedon (AD 451):

  • Affirmed that Jesus has two natures (divine and human) in one person and one hypostasis.

  • His divine and human natures are "unconfused, unchangeable, indivisible, inseparable."

• Chalcedonian definition is not accepted by Oriental Orthodox Churches.

What theological debates exist about Jesus' self-knowledge?

• Did Jesus have two centres of consciousness (one divine, one human)?

• Did Jesus have free will?

• Was his knowledge human or did he perceive the world as God?

• Did Jesus always know he was the Son of God?

• If Jesus had divine knowledge, were his emotions (fear, sorrow) real?

How did medieval theology classify Jesus' knowledge?

• Scientia visionis - Knowledge of divine reality and all creation.

• Scientia infusa - Infused knowledge from God.

• Scientia experientiae - Human knowledge gained through experience.

What was Karl Rahner’s ‘onion’ theory of Jesus’ self-knowledge?

• Karl Rahner suggested that Jesus' self-awareness was layered like an onion:

  • His human self-consciousness was on the surface.

  • His divine self-consciousness was deep within.

• This explains how Jesus could experience fear (Garden of Gethsemane) and uncertainty (the Cross) while still being divine.

What were Gerald O’Collins’ views on Jesus’ self-knowledge?

• Gerald O'Collins (Interpreting Jesus, 1993, pp. 184-185) argued that Jesus’ self-awareness is hard to study because:

1. We cannot study the inner world of any historical figure.

2. Self-knowledge is complex, involving memory, emotion, experience, intuition, instinct, and identity.

3. Consciousness is different from knowing an object—it requires reflection.

What was O’Collins’ conclusion on Jesus' self-knowledge?

• Jesus knew he had a unique relationship with the Father and a mission of salvation.

• His self-awareness was not about "observing" God as an object but an intuitive awareness of his divine reality.

What is Jesus depicted as in the New Testament regarding miracles?

In the New Testament, Jesus is shown as a 'miracle worker,' healing the sick and driving out demons (Mark 7:37; Acts 10:38). His miracles challenge the mechanical orderliness of the universe by displaying his authority and the power of God.

What do Jesus' miracles demonstrate about his identity?

Jesus' miracles, such as walking on water, driving out demons, recreating sight, speech, and even life, demonstrate that he has powers only attributed to God. This reinforces the belief that Jesus is God's Son.

How do some Christians interpret miracles today?

Some Christians believe that miracles occur today and are evidence of the Holy Spirit's continued presence. Some claim to have witnessed healing miracles, and many visit holy sites, like Lourdes in France, hoping for healing.

What happens in the miracle of Mark 6:47-52?

In Mark 6:47-52, Jesus' disciples are struggling in a fishing boat during a storm. Jesus, from the land, walks on the water to them. When the disciples see him, they are afraid. Jesus tells them, "Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid," climbs into the boat, and the wind dies down. The disciples are amazed, but they fail to understand the significance of the loaves, and their hearts are hardened.

How does David Hume view miracles?

In his Essay on Miracles (1748), Hume argues that because we do not have direct, present-day experience of miracles, we cannot trust the accounts of miracles in the New Testament, such as Jesus walking on water. According to Hume, miracles must either be taken on trust or rejected, but if accepted, they point to Jesus' power over nature.

How does Edward Schillebeeckx interpret Jesus' miracles?

Edward Schillebeeckx suggests that Jesus' miracles should be interpreted metaphorically or spiritually for today. For instance, Jesus' calming of the storm might represent how he brings calm to individuals' daily lives, though this is not necessarily scientifically comprehensible.

How does N.T. Wright interpret the purpose of Jesus' miracles?

N.T. Wright, in Jesus and the Victory of God (1996), interprets Jesus' miracles as acts of social and spiritual healing. Jesus not only heals physical ailments but also reintroduces socially excluded people (e.g., the blind, lepers, sinners) back into the community of God. Wright sees Jesus as inaugurating God's Kingdom on Earth, which goes beyond the traditional social categories of the time.

How does N.T. Wright interpret the miracle of Jesus walking on water?

Wright interprets the miracle of Jesus walking on water as a foretaste of the Kingdom of God. By stepping into the boat and calming the storm, Jesus symbolizes the coming of God’s Kingdom, which brings peace and restores order.

What is the significance of the healing in John 9:1-41?

In John 9:1-41, Jesus heals a man who has been blind from birth. The miracle is not just about healing; it raises the theological question of sin and illness. Jesus explains that the man's blindness was not caused by sin but is an opportunity for God's works to be displayed. The Pharisees investigate the healing and reject the testimony of the man, while the healed man expresses belief in Jesus.

How does Jesus link his miracles to his identity in John 9?

In John 9:1-41, Jesus identifies his actions as a sign of God's power working through him, stating that "while I am in the world, I am the light of the world." The focus is not merely on the physical miracle but on the wider purpose of Jesus' mission and his identity.

How is the healing of blindness interpreted in the New Testament?

In the New Testament, the healing of blindness is controversial, as modern views link blindness with disability, not sin. However, the discussion in John 9 suggests that Jesus' miracles are tied to his identity and mission rather than simply demonstrating miraculous power.

What does Gerald O'Collins say about the Resurrection?

Gerald O'Collins, in Christology (1995), states that "The Easter mystery throws a new and final light on the whole story of Jesus and his mission," highlighting the transformative power of the Resurrection for Christian faith.

How does Paul view the Resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:15?

Paul argues that without the Resurrection, Christian preaching would be in vain, sins would remain unforgiven, and there would be no hope beyond death. The Resurrection is essential to the Christian faith, as it affirms the victory over death.

What is the significance of the Resurrection for Christianity, according to E.P. Sanders?

E.P. Sanders, in The Historical Figure of Jesus (1995), suggests that the Resurrection is what enabled Jesus' disciples to regroup and develop the Christian Church, which would not have occurred if Jesus had not been resurrected.

How does the Resurrection shape Christian theology, according to Alister McGrath?

Alister McGrath, in 1996, argues that the Resurrection plays a key role in Christian theology by establishing Christian hope. It allows the death of Christ to be interpreted as God's victory over death, giving substance to the Christian hope of eternal life.

How does the Resurrection affirm Jesus' authority, according to O'Collins?

O'Collins, in Christology (1995), argues that Jesus' Resurrection vindicates his teachings and confirms his authority regarding the future Kingdom of God. It shows that despite apparent defeat through his death, Jesus’ message and mission are ultimately victorious.

What role does the Resurrection play in the final revelation of Jesus?

The Resurrection fully and finally reveals the truth of Jesus' life, person, work, and death. Paul emphasizes this in Galatians 1:12, 1:16, and the New Testament presents the Resurrection as the beginning of the end of all things.

What is revealed through the Resurrection, according to O'Collins?

O'Collins (1995) argues that the Resurrection reveals Jesus in a transformed, glorified state. It fulfills his promise of sitting at the right hand of God and coming on the clouds of heaven (Mark 14:62), visually represented through his ascension (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11; John 20:17).

What realization comes from the Resurrection regarding God's revelation?

The Resurrection highlights that even the weak, despised, and suffering can mediate God's revelation and salvation. Jesus demonstrates God’s love, even through his suffering and death, as seen in Romans 5:8 and John 3:16.