Lecture on Christology

Introduction

• Speaker: Alastair McGrath
• Topic: Identity and significance of Jesus Christ (Christology)
• Focus: Clarifying the uniqueness of Christ in Christian theology

Christology vs. Soteriology

• Christology: Identity of Christ
• Soteriology: Role of Christ in salvation (Greek "soteria" means salvation)
• Interconnection: Christ's identity determines his ability to save; his actions disclose his identity

New Testament Themes on Christ

1. Christ as Saviour

   • Only God can save; thus, Christ's role as saviour implies a divine connection
   • Early Christians used "fish" symbol: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour

2. Jesus is Worshipped

   • Unique as only God was worshipped in Jewish belief, yet early Christians worshipped Christ

3. Jesus Reveals God

   • Example: John 14:9 "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father"
   • Jesus functions as God

Christ's Humanity and Divinity

• Christ is human but more than human
• Theological challenge: Balancing Christ's humanity and divinity without contradiction

Structure of Chapter 10

1. Place of Jesus Christ in Christian Faith

   • Jesus as the historical point of departure for Christianity

2. New Testament Christological Titles

   • Titles: Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man, Lord, Saviour, God

3. Early Church Discussions

   • Ebonitism: Christ as a prophet with special gifts
   • Docetism: Christ as divine, only appeared human

4. Patristic Debate on Christ's Person

   • Justin Martyr's use of "Logos"
   • Arius: Christ as a creature
   • Athanasius: Christ must be divine to save, argued against Arius leading to the Council of Chalcedon

5. Council of Chalcedon (451 AD)

   • Affirmed Christ’s dual nature (human and divine)
   • Diversity in understanding these natures

Medieval and Modern Christological Models

• Debate: Incarnation as a response to the Fall or inevitable
• Models:
  • Substantial Presence of God in Christ
  • Christ as mediator
  • Revelational presence
  • Symbolic presence
  • Bearer of the Holy Spirit
  • Example of godly life
  • Hero
  • Kenotic approaches (self-emptying)

Quest for the Historical Jesus

• Origin: 18th-century Age of Reason
• Rationalist View: Jesus as a religious teacher, not divine
• Modern View: Ongoing theological interpretations, including the resurrection

Conclusion

• Transition from identity (Christology) to work of Christ (salvation)
• Preview of Chapter 11: Doctrine of salvation

Next Steps

• Upcoming presentation on the work of Christ and salvation in Chapter 11

Note: This summary captures key points from the lecture on Christology, highlighting the identity, significance, and theological debates surrounding Jesus Christ. It sets the stage for further exploration into soteriology in the subsequent chapter.