Introduction
Today I begin a discussion on the christological controversies that occupied the early church. Christology is the doctrine concerned with God's revelation in Jesus Christ. Traditionally, christology has been expressed in the doctrine of the Incarnation, the theology of the union of the divine and human natures in the one person of Jesus Christ. Technically, christology is distinguished from soteriology. Christology is concerned with the person of Christ. Soteriology focuses on the saving work of Christ.
But, as Tom Oden points out in his Systematic Theology, it would be improper to make the separation between christology and soteriology too wide. One makes no sense without the other. If the line between the two doctrines is drawn too sharply, the death of Jesus on the cross has no meaning beyond any other crucifixion (thousands were crucified by the Romans). Moreover, the person of Christ as God incarnate is meaningless if his work is not significant.
At the same time, however, recognizing the difference between christology (person) and soteriology (work), there is a proper order in which to discuss these doctrines in classical theology: First, Christ's person is discussed and second, his work.
Today I begin a discussion on the christological controversies that occupied the early church. Christology is the doctrine concerned with God's revelation in Jesus Christ. Traditionally, christology has been expressed in the doctrine of the Incarnation, the theology of the union of the divine and human natures in the one person of Jesus Christ. Technically, christology is distinguished from soteriology. Christology is concerned with the person of Christ. Soteriology focuses on the saving work of Christ.
But, as Tom Oden points out in his Systematic Theology, it would be improper to make the separation between christology and soteriology too wide. One makes no sense without the other. If the line between the two doctrines is drawn too sharply, the death of Jesus on the cross has no meaning beyond any other crucifixion (thousands were crucified by the Romans). Moreover, the person of Christ as God incarnate is meaningless if his work is not significant.
At the same time, however, recognizing the difference between christology (person) and soteriology (work), there is a proper order in which to discuss these doctrines in classical theology: First, Christ's person is discussed and second, his work.
1 comment:
Alan,
Looking forward to your work and thoughts on this. And good point about christology and soteriology being linked together to rightly understand either.
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