Session 4: Christololgy

Session 4: Christology Transcript

• Jesus asks his disciples "who do people say I am?"
• Disciples report people consider Jesus a prophet
• Jesus further asks "who do you say I am?"
• Peter declares Jesus as Messiah, Son of the living God
• Two contrasting interpretations of this passage are Classical Christology and Modern Christology

Christology from Above

• From 18th century, Peter's statement interpreted that Jesus is literally God's offspring
• Church proclaimed Jesus as incarnation of the second person of the trinity.
• Commentators argued that if Jesus is Son of God, he must be God
• Christology from above begins with Jesus' divinity and analyses human nature, tracing his path down from heaven

Christology from Below

• In contrast to Christology from above, it emphasizes historical context of the time period.
• Examines Old Testament descriptions of kings as "sons of God".
• Key conclusion: those descriptions are metaphorical, not literal divinity.
• Modern scholarship suggests the synoptic gospels do not depict Jesus as pre-existent.

Two Approaches

• Modern Christology grapples with the contrast between classical high Christology and historical investigation of Jesus' life.
• One approach affirms classical Christology, starting with faith in Jesus Christ.
• Another approach investigates Jesus' claims from a historical perspective.

Pannenberg's Christology from Below

• Pannenberg's Christology emphasizes the importance of context and prophetic hope.

• Claims Jesus' ministry aimed at future validation.

• Argument centers on the resurrection as verification.

• Pannenberg sees Jesus' divinity revealed through resurrection.

• Jesus' ministry validated by historical events and actions

• Resurrection verifies Jesus' claims about the kingdom of God

Where Have We Got To?

• Summary of Pannenberg's view on Jesus' ministry
• Jesus claims end times are beginning with his ministry
• Resurrection validates Jesus' authority and divinity.

Ontology, Epistemology & Adoptionist Christology

• Exploring ways of understanding and knowing Jesus' divinity
• Above (faith) and Below (historical reconstruction)
• Comparing different ontological approaches (divine first, human first).

Docetism & Gnosticism

• Examination of Christological beliefs
• Docetism suggests Jesus only appeared human, not truly human.
• These ideas rejected Jesus' full humanity

Nestorius

• Debate between Alexandrian and Antiochian perspectives about Jesus' nature
• Nestorius challenged the title "Mother of God" for Mary.
• Nestorius believed that Christ had two separate natures.
• The council of Chalcedon provided a unified doctrine of the union of two natures within one person.

Explore the theological perspectives two contrasting views: Classical Chrisology (From Above) and Modern Christology (From Below). Explore the thinking of one of the main theologians of Church history, Pannenberg, on Jesus' authority and the concept of divine sonship in the Old Testament, as well as those of Nestorius and the controversy around his views leading the seminal Council of Chaledon. This quiz examines key assertions regarding Jesus' teachings, crucifixion, and the significance of resurrection in confirming God's sovereignty. Delve into historical contexts and biblical references to deepen your understanding. The Study Notes and Flash cards will help you revise the material for the quiz as well as putting the information on the video into a simply, summary form.