Beyond the Manger — Seminary in 5: Christology

 

Save money. Learn theology. Become a better writer. Minister more effectively. That’s my hope for you. In this second year of my column, The Ministry of Writing, I want to take you to seminary — writing seminary. If you have had the chance to go to seminary, then let this be a refresher. If you haven’t please soak up this tuition free theological education given each month in 5 points. God has called you to write. You want to glorify Him and reach the world, but the problem is that we can easily be false teachers and not know it. Therefore, growing and learning in biblical and theological knowledge is vital to your writing ministry.

 

What is Systematic Theology?

In this series, “Seminary in 5” we are taking a brief look at seminary courses. In the last installment, we looked at five points from Systematic Theology. Theology in and of itself is the study of God, and the term systematic explains how the material about “God” is gathered. In Systematic Theology, all of Scripture is considered to pull together a complete picture of God. This is in comparison to other type methods of study such as Biblical Theology which may only focus on what each testament tells about God or what each book of the Bible does. I am a strong proponent of the systematic approach because it takes in account the whole counsel of God and presents the subject in complete context. But I mention the different disciplines because often you will run across books, title New Testament Theology or Old Testament Theology.

Theology in and of itself is the study of God, and the term systematic explains how the material about “God Share on X

Another complicating factor to an already complicated topic is that theology can be used in a couple to mean multiple things. As mentioned, theology is the study of God—therefore only one subject—God. I refer to this as “Theology Proper,” but often Systematic Theology goes beyond just the subject of God and covers other topics like Jesus (Christology), the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology), Angels (Angelology), Nature of Man (Anthropology), Salvation (Soteriology), Church (Ecclesiology), Future Events (Eschatology), and others. Most Systematic Theology books you pick up will not just cover “Theology Proper,” but also these other topics. In addition, the comprehensive and systematic study of each of these subjects lay the basis for our “doctrines” on the subjects. Our church or denomination’s doctrinal statements are brief summaries of the systematic conclusion of each topic.

 

Christology…

Moving forward over the next few months we will continue in Systematic Theology, but we’ll look at these other subjects, starting with Christology. Christology is study of Jesus—not just a history of His life on earth, but a comprehensive look into the nature of Jesus.

Every subject we will look at for the next several months is important. I’m sure I will preface each of them with “it is vital you understand this doctrine.” Each time I say that it will be true, but I do believe that for our culture today needs to look beyond just Jesus’ time on earth. In these next five points you will do so. Will Ferrell’s movie, Talladega Nights exemplifies why our culture needs this study. If you are familiar with the show or if you have only heard movie quotes one thing you probably remember is that repeatedly in the family prayers they prayed to “little baby Jesus.” Many across our nation think of Jesus as that baby in manger. If they have learned a bit more they recognize Jesus as the one on the cross or even better the one who beat death in the tomb. But there is so much more about Jesus. Theologians have hammered out this full picture for centuries, and we need to stand on their shoulders.

Many across our nation prays to Little Baby Jesus, when He is so much more. Share on X

1. God is Triune, Jesus is God the Son

In writing about God, the Father, I shared a point about the Trinity, which you can read HERE. I encourage you to check out that post for more detail, but I again want to reinforce—the term Trinity is not found in the Bible. Rather it was a systematic conclusion in the first few centuries of Christianity. We are blessed that these early theologians hammered out a doctrine that helps us understand the Bible with more clarity. Although we can completely explain the Trinity, it helps us a lot.

As the Bible was canonized, and churches taught the teachings of Jesus, they faced a problem. The Bible was very clear that there is only one God. This was a vital piece of Israel’s faith. There being One God separated them from the rest of the nations around them. Jesus would also continue those teachings in His time on earth, as did the Apostles that followed Him. But Jesus also taught He was God. Scripture also taught that the Holy Spirit was God. The Bible further complicated things by placing God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit at the same events as Creation (Psalm 102:24, Col. 1:15, Gen. 1:2), Inspiration (2 Tim. 3:16, 1 Peter 1:10-11, 2 Peter 1:21), Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), and others. Theologians poured over the texts and came to the conclusion of the Trinity. That there is one “what” and three “whos.”

Therefore, according to the doctrine of the Trinity, Jesus is a distinct person, but is at the same time one with God the Father.

We're blessed early theologians hammered out doctrines like the Trinity. Share on X

2. Jesus is 100% God

The doctrine of the Trinity was not the only theological issue that had to be hammered out by the church fathers. For close to five centuries, theologians went back and forth seeking to explain the nature of Jesus. Scripture revealed He was God, but also revealed He was man. How could this be?

Theologian J. I. Packer, said, “Here are two mysteries for one.” This is a very difficult concept to consider. It is not enough to say that Jesus was half and half. For if He was only half man then how could it be said He was empathetic of our human plight. This issue was mostly settled in AD 451 at the Council of Chalcedon. From that meeting, the Creed of Chalcedon explains Jesus as somehow being fully God and fully man at the same time.

Matt Perman wrote for Desiring God that Chalcedon could be summarized,

1.  Jesus has two natures — He is God and man.
   2. Each nature is full and complete — He is fully God and fully man.
   3. Each nature remains distinct.
   4. Christ is only one Person.
   5. Things that are true of only one nature are nonetheless true of the Person of Christ.

 Therefore, we must view Jesus as being 100% and 100% God at one time.

We must view Jesus as being 100% and 100% God at one time. Share on X

3. Jesus is 100% Man

As mentioned above Jesus is fully God and fully man. It is important for us to recognize that as Jesus was on earth He faced life as we do. The temptations were real to Him. He truly experienced what we do in our humanity as revealed in Hebrew 4:15. He was fully a man.

 

4. Jesus Died to Atone for Sin

Multiple times as Jesus’ arrest and sentence to Cross loomed, He revealed t the reason He came was to die as an atonement of sin. Throughout the Old Testament sins were atoned through the sacrifices. Jesus came to be the “lamb that took away the sin of the world.” He came to be final sacrifice.

Although Jesus never sinned, when He hung on the cross somehow all the sin of humanity was placed on Him. He died in our place. Understanding, Jesus’ death as a substitutionary atonement brings understanding to the necessity of that death. It is also our vehicle for salvation. We take hold of that sacrifice through faith.

In the Old Testament, when an Israelite sacrificed the perfect sinless Passover lamb they placed their hand on it. This represented a transfer of sin from the individual to the lamb. The lamb then died in the place of the person. This is what Jesus did. This fact also points to why it is essential to understand that Jesus was perfect and without sin.

Jesus’ death as a substitutionary atonement brings understanding to the necessity of that death. Share on X

5. Jesus is Coming Back to Reign

Jesus’ work is not done. Much of the confusion with the Jews in day of Jesus was that the promised Messiah was to establish a kingdom for Israel. The promises made to Abraham and David would both be fulfilled in the Messiah. Jesus did not do this when He was here on earth, but His work is not done. Although He died on the cross and was placed in a tomb—He came back to life and left the tomb. For forty days, He appeared to His followers and then He ascended to Heaven.

The Bible tells He is now at the right hand of God the Father, and that He intercedes on our behalf. But the Bible also tells He will return. He will come back and set up His kingdom on earth. Jesus was not just a historical person, but He is still alive and well. He is coming back.