Theology 201 Short Essay 2

Tracy

THEO201_

Short Essay #2 on Christology

In this essay I will do my best to provide facts on the biblical basis for Jesus’ humanity and His deity. We will discuss how Jesus can be both God and man at the same time, and what it means for Him to be both. I will provide scripture that tells us why Jesus became incarnate to save a lost humanity. We will look at what it means to overemphasize and deny the deity and humanity of Christ, and the heresies of Christology. We will take a look at the Christological heresies, and the example of Christ in His humanity.

The biblical basis for Jesus’ humanity starts with His human birth. Just like you and I, He had a human body that experienced growth, a human mind, and He experienced human temptation.

While He is sinless and different from all others, the gospel provides many examples of Jesus’ human nature. During His earthly ministry (1) John 4:6 tells us “that Jesus tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well at noontime.” (2) At the death of Lazarus, John 11:35 states “Jesus wept.”

The record of His final sufferings should be proof enough of His humanity. (3) While Jesus agonizes in the garden, Matthew 26:39 says “face down on the ground, praying, My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.”

During His whole life, Christ submitted His will to that of God in preparation for the final trial on the cross.

The biblical basis for Jesus’ deity stands out in scripture. Jesus taught with divine authority. (4) Matthew 7:28-29 tells us “After Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at His teachings, for He taught as one who had real authority unlike the teachers of religious law.”

According to The Hypostatic Union, Jesus can be God and Man at the same time. There are four essentials to understanding the person of Christ. He is truly God, He is truly human, and He is one person. (5) “There are in Him two distinct natures, divine and...