Lecture Notes on "The Identity of the Word of God"

Introduction

• Main Topic: The identity of the Word of God and its implications in Christian theology.
• Key Questions: Who is the Word of God? How does Christian dogma relate to the identity of Jesus Christ?

Key Biblical Texts

• Matthew 16:13-20: Jesus asks His disciples who they think He is, leading to Peter's confession of Christ as the Messiah.
• Isaiah 25:8, 1 Corinthians 15:54: Discuss God’s triumph over death.
• Proverbs 8, Genesis 1, Psalm 33:6: Discuss the role of the Word in creation.

The Word of God in Christian Theology

• Dogma: The divine drama that God became man to reconcile the world.
• Role of Jesus: Central in the cosmological and theological drama as the eternal Word.
• Unity & Divinity of Christ: One person, truly God and truly man.
  • Begotten, not made; assumed humanity without loss of divinity.

Christology

• Christology from Above and Below: Different perspectives of understanding Christ.
  • Above: Focus on deity (John’s Gospel).
  • Below: Focus from humanity leading to divine revelation (Synoptic Gospels).
  • Behind: Old Testament prophecies (e.g., 2 Samuel 7, Isaiah 52-53).
• Unity: Jesus as one person, not divided into multiple persons.
• Heresies: Historical challenges to Christ’s nature (Nestorianism, Apollinarianism, etc.).

Logos (Word) in Cross-cultural Context

• Hebrew & Greek Interpretations
  • Hebrew: Dabar, agent of creation.
  • Greek: Logos as rational principle and order.
• John’s Gospel: Uses "Logos" to bridge Hebrew and Greek thought.

Theological Concepts

• Hypostatic Union: Unity of divine and human natures in one person.
• Ontology vs. Economy: Nature of Christ’s being (ontological) and His mission (economical).

The Incarnation and Work of Christ

• Incarnation: Word became flesh in Jesus Christ.
• Redemption: Through death and resurrection, Christ conquered death and offers salvation.
• Ascension & Return: Christ’s ascension and future return as depicted in Revelation.

Chalcedonian Definition

• Council of Chalcedon: Clarified Christ’s dual nature as fully God and fully man.
• Athanasian Creed: Confirms unity without confusion or division of natures.

Discussion and Questions

• Human & Divine Will: Addressing duality in Christ’s actions (e.g., Garden of Gethsemane).
• Justice and Love of God: Christ’s crucifixion as a fulfillment of divine justice and love.

Conclusion

• Central Dogma: The Word in His person and work is the central, indispensable truth of the Christian faith.
• Future Lectures: Will cover more on the nature and work of Christ, including heresies and further theological implications.