Introduction to Christology God

Introduction to Christology 

God

• Immanence = God is close, personal (Burning Bush).
  
  

• Transcendence = God is beyond, mysterious (YHWH).
  
  

• God is both transcendent & near → an absolute mystery.
  
  

God Meets Us

• Salvation = God saves us through Christ in the Spirit.
  
  

• Jesus reveals God’s love even in rejection & death.
  
  

• Theology = knowing God through the plan (economy) of salvation.
  
  

The Trinity & Christology

• Christianity centers on Jesus Christ.
  
  

• Christology = study of who Jesus is & his role in salvation.
  
  

Creation & Salvation History

• Creation = God is origin, ground, goal of all.
  
  

• Genesis is theological, not scientific.
  
  

• 1st Creation Story:
  
  

  • One God, world from God’s goodness.
    
    

  • Matter is good, created by God’s word.
    
    

  • Humans in God’s image → honor, responsibility, gift of life.
    
    

  • Shows God’s power, freedom, order.
    
    

• 2nd Creation Story:
  
  

  • Choice: obey God or follow self.
    
    

  • Sin rooted in pride/disobedience.
    
    

  • Humans free, but must bear consequences.
    
    

Original Sin & Early Stories

• Adam & Eve lost original holiness → fall affected all humanity.
  
  

• Sin spreads:
  
  

  • Cain & Abel → first murder, yet God shows mercy.
    
    

  • Noah → sin widespread, flood cleanses, covenant never to destroy earth by flood again.
    
    

  • Tower of Babel → pride leads to division; humans rebel, God humbles them.
    
    

Old Testament Covenants

• Abraham → Promise of land, descendants, blessing.
  
  

• Moses → Exodus, Ten Commandments, covenant with Israel.
  
  

• David → Messiah from his dynasty.
  
  

Monarchy

• Positive: unity, Jerusalem, Davidic dynasty.
  
  

• Negative: sins of kings (David, Solomon, unjust economics).
  
  

• Kingdom splits → Israel (north) & Judah (south).
  
  

Prophets & Preparation

• Prophets = called Israel back to covenant.
  
  

• Announced a Messiah → new, everlasting covenant.
  
  

Historical Periods

1. Patriarchs (1850–1250 BC) → Abraham, Isaac, Jacob.
   
   

2. Exodus/Settlement (1250–1130 BC) → Moses, Promised Land.
   
   

3. Judges (1130–1020 BC) → tribal leaders before monarchy.
   
   

4. Monarchy (1020–587 BC) → David, Solomon, kingdom split.
   
   

5. Exile & Return (587–332 BC) → Babylonian Exile, Temple rebuilt.
   
   

6. Greek Rule (332–39 BC) → Hellenization under Alexander.
   
   

7. Roman Rule (39 BC–100 AD) → time of Jesus, NT written.
   
   

🎯 Multiple Choice Prep – Know These Cold

• Immanence vs. Transcendence (Burning Bush vs. YHWH mystery).
  
  

• Definition of Salvation (through Christ, in the Spirit).
  
  

• Purpose of Genesis (not science, but theology).
  
  

• Key lesson of 1st Creation Story (order, goodness, humans in God’s image).
  
  

• Key lesson of 2nd Creation Story (sin = pride/disobedience).
  
  

• Original Sin = loss of holiness, affects all humanity.
  
  

• Cain & Abel = first murder, sin spreads, God still merciful.
  
  

• Noah = flood, covenant never again, respect for life.
  
  

• Tower of Babel = pride leads to division.
  
  

• Abraham’s covenant = land, descendants, blessing.
  
  

• Moses’ covenant = Ten Commandments, liberation.
  
  

• David’s covenant = Messiah from his line.
  
  

• Positives & negatives of monarchy.
  
  

• Role of prophets = prepare for Messiah, call Israel back.
  
  

• Historical timeline order (Patriarchs → Exodus → Judges → Monarchy → Exile/Return → Greek → Roman).
  
  

• Hellenization = spread of Greek culture & language.
  
  

• Roman rule = time of Jesus, heavy taxes, destruction of Temple.