Abstract New Testament Christology, "today lives in the tension between continuity with the church's doctrinal tradition on the one hand and, on the other, openness to the new experiences and understandings of Christ arising out of the particular contexts of suffering and hope", (Migliore, 242). One of the central Christian tenets is that Christ cannot be contained within any house of man's making - nor, by extension, by any literary construct of the Bible or any interpretation thereof. While the literalist churches base their faith upon an absolutist reading of the Bible, the deeper thinking Christians and scholars all observe that God's words are in the Bible, but not God himself. Therefore, there is more to God than what is in the Bible and being open to new ways of experiencing and knowing God is what forms the center of Christology. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the nature of New Testament Christology and a selection of the manners in which it is approached.
This paper reviews, chapter by chapter, the book, ?The Many Faces of Christology?, by Tyron L. Inbody, which explores the various ways of using Christ in religion or of seeing how Christ forms beliefs with a myriad of different outlooks.
Abstract The author presents four varying claims as to whether Christianity is truly the better, more truthful religion. The author points out that "Exclusivism" states Christianity is the true religion, and, therefore, no other can be true. The paper concludes that no one religion can say it is the one way among all the great truths of other religions, and for Christians, their way can be enriched and transformed by the true things about the other religions.
Table of Contents
Jesus of Nazareth and Christology Jesus Christ and the Identity of God: The Christological Creeds of Yesterday and Today
Evangelical Christology Table of Contents
Liberal and Post-liberal Christologies Feminist Christology Christology and the Atonement: Is Atonement Theology Sacralization of Abuse?
Jesus, Judaism, and Christianity
Is Jesus the Only Way, Truth, and Life?
Conclusion
From the Paper "The concept of God that Christians accept originally came from Judaism. The "theistic God" is the God of ?philosophy, theology, and piety,? according to Inbody. But the concept of God is under attack, writes Inbody: He is being dismissed as "an illusion" or a ?key concept in an ideology of alienation and oppression, suffering, and injustice.? Meanwhile, historically, by the early second century, some Christians believed that Jesus Christ was not ?a human being at all,? but only ?appeared to be human.? In the 5th Century the question was often asked, were Christ's "divine and human natures" thoroughly "fused"? But these are the kinds of questions, Inbody writes, that are raised only when theologians "interfere with popular piety" ? because most modern Christians tend to avoid "theological debates and definitions" ? in particular, Christology. "
Abstract This paper explains that, often, the difficult struggle of Christological studies is because the man is Jesus Christ, and as scholars and theologians are looking at his portrait, they come to this study with dramatically different assumptions. The author defines Christology as a systematic theological way of thinking about the person of Jesus Christ, seeking answers to questions about the life and teachings of Jesus, the person. The paper relates that Christologists have developed slowly a concept of Jesus as a shepherd based on the physical representation of the early church leaders.
From the Paper "The common explanation for this approach is that the early church expressed its response to Jesus by ascribing supernatural status to him which he did not claim, or possess of himself. Because of the early church's overly ambitious desires for a savior, Christologists often hold the church responsible for the belief that Jesus Christ was totally God, totally man, and gave his life as a ransom for the sins of men. The christologists believe that the church, ad individual believers are responsible for preserving a false picture of him."
Tags: assumptions, sins, picture, systematic, person
Abstract This paper explains that Soteriology is the single most important aspect of Christology and then goes on to explain the subjective and objective view of Soteriology. The paper then looks at the question of universal salvation and whether Christianity should view Christ as God or human.
From the Paper "Soteriology is the study of salvation and Christology is the study of the person and work of Jesus. It is through Jesus Christ that humankind receives salvation; therefore, it is through Jesus Christ that the understanding of salvation must come. Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Anointed One, or a dozen other titles he claims or has been given; what can we know of him? Has there ever been a life more closely studied than the life of Jesus of Nazareth? Brilliant scholars and simple men have spent lifetimes in the quest. Yet, they have not had different material than the authors of the New Testament from which to glean deeper knowledge. Further, they have not agreed upon the interpretation of the words they do have. "There is, thus, a difference between the way in which the first Christians and the later Church understood the Christological problem" (Cullman pg. 4) The modern church is spending an increasing amount of time debating the "problem of language" as it pertains to the divinity of Jesus (Aldwinckle pg 45). "
Tags: divinity, new, testament, punishment, humankind, perfection, grace, resurrection, death
Abstract This paper encompasses the entire Christology of John's gospel and is a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the many facets entwined within the gospel's structure. This paper's text mainly focuses upon the issues of authorship surrounding John's gospel, as well as providing a insight into the Christological/theological differences evident between John's Gospel and the three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Chapters
Context & Authorship
Comparative Elements of the Canonical Gospels and their Christology's
From the Paper "In order for one to aptly grasp the full spectrum of information that this research based analysis offers, it is crucial for the reader to understand the title of this work; The Christology of the Gospel of John, and what the words Gospel and Christology truly signify. Gospel, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, 'The glad tidings (of the kingdom of God)' announced to the world by Jesus Christ. Hence, the body of religious doctrine taught by Christ and His apostles; the Christian revelation, religion or dispensation (OED). Secondly, the word Christology, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, is that part of theology which relates to Christ; a doctrine or theory concerning Christ (OED). With these definitions, it is easy to ascertain the fact that this scholarly text will not be a simple summary and commentary of the gospel of John's accounts of Jesus, but will be a comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the many facets entwined within the gospel's structure. As a result of the six page restraint placed upon this dissertation, the text will mainly focus upon the issues of authorship surrounding John's gospel, as well as providing a special focus on the Christological/Theological differences evident between John's Gospel and the three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This text will take into consideration and incorporate details concerning the context (time/place of composition) of John's Gospel, possible sources contributed in the Gospel's construction, and unique literary features that enable the reader's a better understanding of the Gospel's literary style and technique."
Abstract The writer argues that Christology of the fourth gospel is the most engaging and interesting of the New Testament. The writer addresses the major facets and purposes of the Christology. The author asks what the evangelist was seeking to show and how did he go about it. Interesting and thought provoking novel ideas are raised.
From the Paper 'In some senses the divinity of Jesus within the fourth gospel is very obvious. John does indeed portray Jesus as divine. In 10:28 Jesus states clearly, ?I and my father are one.? It is clear also from 20:30f that Jesus is the Christ and Thomas? declaration of Jesus as, "My Lord and my God" is effectively an explicit statement of divinity. The real issue here lies in an understanding of the divinity of the Johannine Jesus in a less superficial capacity. This leads to addressing the second part of the question. By asking what does John mean in terms of the divinity of Jesus it is not merely a general statement about the status of Jesus but a specific analysis of a special and unique kind of divinity. In order to understand this it is necessary to consider how John presents Jesus as divine. This refers not only to the manner in which Jesus is divine but to the literary and other devices which the fourth evangelist uses in order to make his case and bring us to an understanding of this divinity. Perhaps the most obvious starting point in such an enquiry is to briefly consider the Christological titles, being the clearest explanation of the status of Jesus. After this a more in depth consideration of the scriptural backing that John invokes to explain the Christology of Jesus is of vital importance. There are then certain other issues which need to be expanded on this subject including the contemporary expectations of various different statuses and roles in what might be called divinity. It has often been said that John has a high Christology and such does indeed prove to be the case. Nevertheless the concept that Jesus is simply indistinguishable from God and should be seen as a personification of the deity is incorrect; there is a very significant and defined role for Jesus as divine within the fourth gospel."
Abstract This is a survey of the primary characteristics of the gospel and the circumstances which brought it into being. The fourth gospel has always been thought to contain some of the most advanced Christology and theology in the New Testament and in this essay the writer considers the origins for its unique perspective. Factors such as the purpose, date and authorship are examined as well as its distinct preoccupations and its relationship with the Synoptics.
From the Paper "It has often been said with some justification that John's gospel offers both the most depth of interest to the scholar in the New Testament while at the same time being of the greatest benefit for a simple reading. The reason for this is that the character of the fourth gospel is in its way unique. It contains detailed and advanced Christology and language while at the same time possessing a fundamentally spiritual and easily accessible veneer. Not only this but it is free of the awkwardness of narrative which is sometimes present in the Synoptics. To ask the question of how it came to be written is unavoidably to engage with this character. In fact there are a range of issues which are intertwined with the notions of authorship and general background. To address the Johannine question satisfactorily, then, it is necessary to seek some continuity in resolution of the problems that arise. This is particularly true in the case of the structure of the gospel and the nature of its composition. Perhaps the most effective way to proceed, then, is first to deal with the character of the gospel and its makeup and by doing so try to reach some resolution about its nature and purpose. During this process some resolution might be sought of the more general aspects of the method of composition. With this in mind the details which might be useful in establishing the circumstances can be examined to reach an impression of background. After this the question of authorship will be thrown into a somewhat clearer light and so this too might be addressed effectively. Only then, with ideas that cohere with the various issues, can the question of how the fourth gospel came to be written be said to be answered."
Abstract Examines the Christology thesis in Falk's book and his views. True historical , theological mission & role of Jesus. Background of issue of position of Jesus in the history of religion. Judaism and Christianity. Early rivalry between the two religions. Differences in thought . Anti-Jewish sentiments of the New Testament. The Zealot strand of Judaism. Anti-semitism interpretatin of Biblical scholarship
From the Paper "This research examines the Christology thesis presented by Falk in Jesus the Pharisee, and describes the book's approach to the questions of Christology, as well as an evaluation of Falk's view.
In the background of any modern discourse of the position of Jesus Christ in the history of religion is the fact of contrast between Judaism and Christianity, with the former perceived as being repudiated, supplanted, and overtaken by the latter in the larger scheme of Western history and symbolized by a certain theological and cultural antipathy between Jews and Christians. Citing historical, scriptural, and rabbinical sources, Falk argues that this perception is misdirected and suggests that the true historical and theological mission and role of Jesus have been obscured by the fact that Christianity as an..."
Abstract The author of this paper discusses how the essential doctrinal and theological differences between Antioch and Alexandria were defined by the basic teachings of Christology. In Antioch it can be summed up that the essential humanity of Christ and his teachings were espoused in all forms of belief and doctrinal worship, in Alexandria Christ's spiritual and God like nature was stressed. These essential differences formed the basis of the rivalry that existed in the early centuries of the first millennium.
From the Paper "This research examines the Christology presented by James H. Cone in his book God of the Oppressed. The research will provide background information on the author and then discuss his account of the figure of Christ from the standpoint of positioning where Jesus stands in the cosmology of religion, the meaning that Jesus has for modern experience, and the particular Christological emphasis that Cone identifies as most appropriate in his work. The research will conclude with a critique and evaluation of Cone's work that will be intended to place his views in the context of modern Christian thought.
It may seem something of a tautology to assert that Christianity could be nothing without Christ, but the content of that statement is that Christ functions as a powerful symbol of both history and religion and that symbols are important to both ..."
Abstract This paper is a look at the transition from a Biblical understanding of God and Christ to a doctrinal one. The orthodox view of Jesus as a divine being, yet human person begins the discussion, as well as a look at the orthodox view of God's three-fold nature. The discussion then moves into how early Christianity arrived at these ideas, and looks at some early positions that deviated from the orthodox ideas.
Abstract This paper will use Athanasius' struggle against Arianism as a focusing lens through which to perceive the man and his work. It will be argued that Athanasius principled opposition to Arianism contributed to his reputation as a man of principle, willing to accept punishments such as exile in his loyalty to his faith. However, it will be demonstrated that Athanasius is not only significant as a role model and champion of orthodoxy for, related to both of the above is his achievement in establishing the principle of Church freedom from secular authority. From this perspective, it will be seen that Athanasius concerned himself not only with theological aspects of Christianity, but also with the practise of the faith. His writings in this regard achieved great popularity in later centuries, and were widely disseminated throughout the Christian world.
Abstract Discusses the outgrowth of the Trinitarian controversy. Examines how the Godhead comprised three persons made of one substance. Discusses the complexity of the two natures of Jesus: divine and human. Examines the ideas of Bishop Nestorius and the Nicene Creed.
From the Paper "This research examines the Christological controversy in fifth-century Christianity. It was an outgrowth of and overlapped with the so-called Trinitiarian controversy, which was resolved in AD 381 at the Council of Constantinople, where it was declared ..."
Abstract This paper examines how Anselm proposed a series of Christological doctrines in his most famous work, "Cur Deus Homo" or, "Why The God-Man." The principle theory is known as the Satisfaction Theory and it was the predominant contention of the Church for almost a millennium. This paper explores the theory, as well as the history and circumstances that led to Anselm's development of what later became Church doctrine.
From the Paper "Before Anselm's Satisfaction Theory, the commonly accepted theory of many Church Fathers was the Ransom Theory. This was a presumption that held the contention of God's conquest over enslavement, and it was the predominant church belief for a millennium.2 This theory was adapted from the passage in Mark 10:45, in which Christ is said to have, "Give[n] his life as a ransom for many." The theory contended that Christ's humanity was taken by Satan, but so too was his veiled divinity, and it was Christ's divinity that Satan allegedly took without having the appropriate authority. In taking what he was not allowed to take, Satan forfeited all of his rights over humanity, and humanity was thus saved from the power of evil."
Tags: christianity, church, doctrine, hamartia, sin, theology
Abstract This paper explains that the beginning of Matthew 16:13-18 reveals the transforming perspective of the disciples towards Christ, who becomes fully established in a formative, substantive plan. The author points out that the original Greek, NIV and NASB versions of the passage of "Matthew 16:13-17" are rife with lexicological curiosities, thematic complexity and literary tools used for significant theological debate. The paper relates that these verses of Christological preeminence for their establishment of the foundation of Christ as the accepted Son of God are as interesting to academic scholars as to theologians.
From the Paper "After expressing gratitude and pride in the faith of Simon Peter, Jesus then proclaims, "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." (16:18) The exegetical dilemma provided by 16:18 is to establish what the "rock" of which Jesus speaks actually is. Historically, Rome has connected Simon's last name, what we call Peter (Pevtro), and the word rock (pevtra) with liturgical emphasis, contesting that it implies that Simon himself is the rock. At the same time, most Protestant scholars reject this claim, largely positioning themselves into two different theoretical camps."
