Jesus Christ 4

Jesus Christ

• Jesus Christ: Refers to the central figure of Christianity, recognized as the Son of God.

Jesus as Teacher and Liberator

• Jesus' dual roles:

  • Teacher: Provokes thoughts on living an authentic life according to scholars like Wittgenstein and Bultmann.

  • Liberator: Affirmed by liberation theologians to uplift the poor and marginalized.

• Jesus is also declared the Son of God (as noted in Mark 1:1).

The Definition of the Son of God

• Council of Nicaea (325 AD): Solidified the definition of Jesus’ relationship with God the Father:

  • He is the only-begotten Son of God, existing before all things.

  • Description: God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God.

  • Highlights that he is begotten, not made, and shares the same essence as the Father.

Understanding 'Being of One Substance'

• Father-Son Analogy:

  • The Father as the source of the Son, but easily misunderstood.

• Proper Names of the Second Person: Son, Word, and Image. Each illuminates Jesus' relationship with God.

Thought Exercise on Understanding God

• Self-Image Analogy:

  • Imagine conceiving a perfect image of oneself; it's unattainable due to human limitations.

  • God, however, comprehends himself perfectly and possesses a distinct yet identical expression in the Word.

God’s Eternal Understanding

• God’s Word is not separate from Him due to His pure spirit, leading to the concept of eternal generation.

• Identity: The Word is properly identical to God, signifying divine essence.

Christology Overview

• Christology: The study of Jesus' nature and role, focusing on the union of divinity and humanity.

• High vs. Low Christology:

  • High Christology emphasizes divinity.

  • Low Christology emphasizes humanity.

• Contextual questions on Christological perspectives:

  • Jesus as a teacher.

  • Jesus as a liberator.

  • Jesus as the Son of God.

Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) Definition

• Affirmed Jesus as:

  • One and the Same Son: Perfect in God and Man; truly God and truly Man.

  • Co-essential with the Father in Godhead; co-essential with humanity.

  • Sinless: Like us in all things except sin.

  • Describes his dual nature as both eternal and historical (born of Mary).

The Unity of Divinity and Humanity in Jesus

• Orthodox Christianity’s perspective:

  • No separation of high or low Christology; both natures are perfectly united.

• Examples of Dual Nature:

  • Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:42): Dual awareness of divine plan and human fear.

  • Crucifixion Cry (Matt. 27:46): Expresses both God’s knowledge and human suffering.

Knowledge of God in Jesus

• Jesus’ knowledge as a point of contention:

  • Affirms divine awareness: ‘Before Abraham was, I am’ (John).

  • Reference to Exodus 3:14 showing divine identity.

  • Affirmations in John include:

    • ‘The Father and I are one’ (10:30).

    • ‘Whoever has seen me has seen the Father’ (14:9).

  • Some argue Jesus had limited knowledge due to scripture stating ‘the Father is greater than I’ (14:28).

Athanasius of Alexandria

• Nicene Controversy:

  • Advocated that Jesus must be the eternal Son of God.

  • Argument points:

    • The Father is eternal; hence, a father must have a son.

    • Only an immortal can save humanity from death.

    • Jesus’ knowledge of God is crucial for meaningful salvation.

Extensions for Further Reflection

• Explain the concept of the eternal generation of the Son from the Father.

• Discuss the relationship between Jesus’ divinity and humanity, referencing his Passion.