Christology

[mattd]

How much Christology do you think needs presented to a person in a Gospel presentation? Or what do you think is the minimum amount that someone needs to subscribe to in order to be considered a Christian? Among all the Christologies in the world, what is the lowest common denominator between them (if there is one at all)?

I'm writing a large paper on the topic right now. My brain is a little burned out right now, hoping to get some fresh views somewhere and maybe see the topic a little differently.

[Mark From Hawaii]

Great question - I had to look up "Christology", hehe. I would say some of the important points are (1) that Jesus was fully God and fully man and (2) that God exists as a trinity. Perhaps a third point would be that Jesus was born to a virgin and that He died and rose on the third day.

Obviously, I'm no biblical scholar.

[scooteraz]

How much Christology do you think needs presented to a person in a Gospel presentation? Or what do you think is the minimum amount that someone needs to subscribe to in order to be considered a Christian? Among all the Christologies in the world, what is the lowest common denominator between them (if there is one at all)?

I'm writing a large paper on the topic right now. My brain is a little burned out right now, hoping to get some fresh views somewhere and maybe see the topic a little differently.

That is sort of a loaded question. You define Christan, and I will give you the lowest common denominator between them. rofl This is not just an out. Mormons claim to be Christian. But thier only claim in thier Christology would be that Jesus was both a pre-existing heavenly son of God of this earth (their Elohim) as we all were, but was also the corporeal offspring of physical contact between Elohim and Mary. So, he was sort of Hercules figure. If you include Mormons in your definition of "Christian", then the lowest common denominator could be argued that Jesus, whom we call the Christ, existed as a man. However, some other "Christian" sects deny He was true man. However, of the sects (including mine) that espouse the Apostles' and the Nicean Creeds, the nature of Christ has a much greater set of beliefs that make up the "Lowest Common Denominator". That He was God, that He was Man and that He performed the work of salvation, that there was a virgin birth, that He led a truly blameless life.

How much has to be presented at first, really only the work of salvation through Him. However, His Godhood probably needs to be discussed, because a reasonable person would have to ask "what makes that guy so special that my sins are forgiven?" This is assuming that by "Gospel presentation" you are talking about the initial contact type of presentation. However, for the purposes of the paper, I would let the Bible interpret the Bible. That is, how did the early Christians present the "Christology" message? That would seem to be the minimum.

As far as how much of that do you need subscribe to in order to be a Christian? What does the Bible say? It appears that belief in His Godhood and work of salvation is enough, along with sorrow for your sins. Now, that would not make a mature Christian, in my estimation, but would be the lowest common denominator.

About as succinct answer as I can come up with, and defending it would take hours of research and typing. But, off the top of my head...well, you got what you paid for:wasntme:

[mattd]

Loaded is my favorite kind of question. :lol: I intentionally left it open ended so I didn't give you any ideas. My point in posting this was to let you define the terms on your own. I know what I consider Christian, how I define the term, but I was looking for any other ideas someone else might have.

[mattd]

Great question - I had to look up "Christology", hehe. I would say some of the important points are (1) that Jesus was fully God and fully man and (2) that God exists as a trinity. Perhaps a third point would be that Jesus was born to a virgin and that He died and rose on the third day.

Obviously, I'm no biblical scholar.


Ha...while you're at it look up "soteriology" and "ecclesiology." They're next.


The doctrine of the trinity is usually included under the "God" part of systematic theology, therefore I didn't really mention it in this paper, at least no more than a passing reference. But you're right, it is important. The question I'm trying to answer right now (to put a final conclusion on this paper) is what a new Christian needs to know in order to be considered Christian (like I said above, your definition of Christian).

[ptrallan01]

1 I am a sinner
2 I can't atone for my sin
3 Christ can because
4 He is sinless
5 He died in my place
6 He is the logos who was, is God in the flesh.

The Christology has to be related to the sinners need or it doesn't penetrate

[dudabrad]

I tend to "bottom line" at two points - who Jesus was and what Jesus did.

(1) Jesus was (somehow) the embodiment of the very presence of God. I don't know that the exact nature of the Trinity needs to be explicitly explained in detail, but Jesus himself seemed to make his identity as "divine son" the dividing point (i.e. calling himself "one with the Father", "Son of Man (Messianic)", one having authority, etc.),as did the apostles in Acts. No one less than God himself can save us.

(2) The real death and resurrection of Jesus as the turning point in God's salvation plan. Again, the detailed theology need not be explicit at first, but people must understand at at basic level that (a) Jesus' death was real and on their behalf; and (b) Jesus' resurrection was real and sealed his victory over sin.

I don't know that a strict adherence to all the details is necessary at the point of salvation, but I would be concerned about the evident lack of the Spirit's illuminating work in someone who claims to follow Christ yet vehemently and consistently resists the fuller implications of these basic truths. Having said that, I also realize that the Church Universal is not in 100% agreement on all points.