Humanity and Divinity of Christ
Joshua Norman
THEO_201_D16_201330
Short Essay #2
Short Essay on the Humanity and Divinity of Jesus Christ
The discussion regarding the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ has been a matter of debate since the earliest days of Christianity. The post-apostolic church became plagued by different heresies, some of which continue to this day. Generations of scholars have attempted to make sense of the human and divine natures coexisting in Jesus, some claiming that He could not be truly a man, others claiming He could not truly be God; however, the Bible tells us that the people closest to Jesus, the apostles, were convinced that he was truly God and truly man; their evidence was what Jesus said of Himself, what the prophecies said of Him, and the miraculous acts that He performed in their presence during His three-year ministry. Jesus’ humanity is evident throughout the Gospels; we know that Jesus was born of a woman, as described in the first chapter of Matthew and the second chapter of Luke. Jesus had parents, and even brothers, like any other man. Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, and he ate food, just like any other man. He also experienced pain, anxiety, and death. Jesus’ deity is also plainly evident in the Bible. He Himself refers to His oneness with the Father, His authority to judge, and ability to forgive sins. Taken from an apostle’s point of view, John chapter 1 describes very well the God-nature of Jesus, being Himself pre-existent and of the same nature and substance as God. This chapter describes Jesus as the “Word”, translated from logos, existing both with God and as God; logos carried out creation, is the source of life, and is the light of the world. Jesus is also referred to as the Word of God in Revelation 19:13, where He is pictured returning to the world as a conquering general. In addition, Jesus’ ability to raise the dead, heal the sick and lame, and indeed His own resurrection points to His divinity. Man,
THEO_201_D16_201330
Short Essay #2
Short Essay on the Humanity and Divinity of Jesus Christ
The discussion regarding the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ has been a matter of debate since the earliest days of Christianity. The post-apostolic church became plagued by different heresies, some of which continue to this day. Generations of scholars have attempted to make sense of the human and divine natures coexisting in Jesus, some claiming that He could not be truly a man, others claiming He could not truly be God; however, the Bible tells us that the people closest to Jesus, the apostles, were convinced that he was truly God and truly man; their evidence was what Jesus said of Himself, what the prophecies said of Him, and the miraculous acts that He performed in their presence during His three-year ministry. Jesus’ humanity is evident throughout the Gospels; we know that Jesus was born of a woman, as described in the first chapter of Matthew and the second chapter of Luke. Jesus had parents, and even brothers, like any other man. Jesus grew both in body and in wisdom, and he ate food, just like any other man. He also experienced pain, anxiety, and death. Jesus’ deity is also plainly evident in the Bible. He Himself refers to His oneness with the Father, His authority to judge, and ability to forgive sins. Taken from an apostle’s point of view, John chapter 1 describes very well the God-nature of Jesus, being Himself pre-existent and of the same nature and substance as God. This chapter describes Jesus as the “Word”, translated from logos, existing both with God and as God; logos carried out creation, is the source of life, and is the light of the world. Jesus is also referred to as the Word of God in Revelation 19:13, where He is pictured returning to the world as a conquering general. In addition, Jesus’ ability to raise the dead, heal the sick and lame, and indeed His own resurrection points to His divinity. Man,
Bibliography: Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. Chalcedonian Creed (451 A.D.). n.d. http://carm.org/christianity/creeds-and-confessions/chalcedonian-creed-451-ad (accessed July 22, 2013). Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, Second Edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 1984, 2001. Towns, Elmer L. Theology for Today. Cengage Learning, 2008, 2002. [ 6 ]. Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2001), 696. [ 9 ]. “Chalcedonian Creed (451 A.D.),” Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, July 22, 2013, accessed July 22, 2013, http://carm.org/christianity/creeds-and-confessions/chalcedonian-creed-451-ad.