Theological Foundations
An academic exploration of the central figure of Christianity, from His divine nature to His earthly ministry.
Core Tenets ๐ Divine Nature ๐Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Core Tenets of Faith
Foundational Beliefs
Major Christian denominations share fundamental beliefs regarding Jesus Christ, derived from biblical accounts and theological consensus. These include His virgin birth, His dual nature as fully divine and fully human, His sinless existence, His crucifixion, His bodily resurrection on the third day, His ascension into heaven, and His anticipated future return to Earth.
Significance of His Sacrifice
Christians believe that through Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, God offers humanity salvation and eternal life. His death is understood as a redemptive sacrifice, atoning for sin and restoring the relationship between God and humankind, fulfilling the role of the Lamb of God.
The Divine Mission
Jesus is believed to be the Jewish Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament, fulfilling divine purpose through His life, teachings, miracles, and ultimate sacrifice. His ministry aimed to teach humanity how to follow God, often through parables and acts of compassion.
Divine Identity: Christ, Logos, and Son of God
The Christ and Son of God
Most Christians profess Jesus to be the Christ (Messiah) and the unique Son of God. The Gospels of Mark and Matthew explicitly identify Jesus with these titles, affirming His divine sonship. The title "Christ" is so intrinsically linked to Jesus that early Christians used it almost interchangeably with His name.
The Logos Incarnate
Central to Trinitarian theology is the concept of Jesus as the Logos (The Word), God incarnateโGod in human form. This doctrine, derived from the Gospel of John, posits Jesus as God the Son, fully divine and fully human, a person within the Trinity.
Pre-existence and Hypostatic Union
The doctrine of the pre-existence of Christ asserts His existence before His incarnation. This is supported by passages in John referring to His glory with the Father "before the world was." The Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) formalized the concept of the hypostatic union, stating Jesus is both fully divine and fully human in one person.
The Incarnation and the Second Adam
Cosmic Significance
The birth of Jesus is viewed as an event of cosmic importance, initiating a new humanity. The Apostle Paul contrasts Jesus as the "Second Adam" with the first Adam, whose disobedience brought sin and death. Jesus' obedience, conversely, ushers in redemption and a new moral order.
Restoring God's Image
Early Church Fathers like Irenaeus articulated that Jesus, through His incarnation, began anew the lineage of humanity, restoring what was lost in Adamโthe image and likeness of God. This perspective frames Jesus' life, death, and resurrection as having universal implications for humanity's relationship with the divine.
Lineage and Identity
Christians believe Jesus descended from the Davidic line, making Him biologically of the Jewish people. While Gospels provide genealogies, theological interpretations address apparent discrepancies, often referencing Jewish law like yibbum (levirate marriage) to reconcile accounts.
Earthly Ministry and Divine Teachings
Chronology of Ministry
Jesus' ministry commenced with His baptism near the Jordan River and concluded in Jerusalem. Beginning around age 30 (circa AD 27-29), His ministry spanned approximately three years, encompassing early Galilean activities, the commissioning of the Twelve Apostles, a later Judean journey, and the final week in Jerusalem.
Words and Works
The Gospels present Jesus' ministry through His words (sermons, parables) and works (miracles). These actions and teachings were not merely His own but were understood as divine revelation, conveying God's message and demonstrating His authority.
Teachings, Parables, and Miracles
Discourses
Jesus delivered significant discourses, such as the Farewell Discourse and the Sermon on the Mount. These teachings, often presented conversationally, encapsulate core moral and spiritual principles, including the Beatitudes, which describe the character of the Kingdom of God.
Parables
Approximately one-third of Jesus' recorded teachings are parablesโmemorable stories with spiritual meanings. These earthly narratives serve as analogies, bridging the visible world with spiritual truths, often conveying profound insights into the Kingdom of God.
Miracles
The miracles attributed to Jesusโhealings, nature miracles, and resurrectionsโserved not only as demonstrations of His divine power but also as acts of love and mercy. They emphasized the importance of faith and attested to His unique identity and mission.
The Crucifixion and Atonement
The Lamb of God
The concept of Jesus as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" is central to His crucifixion narrative. His voluntary submission to crucifixion is understood as a salvific act, an atonement for humanity's sins, fulfilling God's plan.
Divine Plan and Sacrifice
The crucifixion is viewed not as a scandal but as the fulfillment of God's foreknown plan. Jesus' obedience unto death, even on the cross, positions Him as the "agent of God" or "servant of God," offering victory through sacrifice.
Cleansing and Redemption
The blood and water shed from Jesus' side during the crucifixion are symbolically linked to baptismal water, signifying cleansing and redemption. This sacrifice undoes the damage caused by Adam's fall, restoring humanity's relationship with God.
Resurrection, Ascension, and the Promise of Return
Foundation of Faith
The resurrection of Jesus is considered a cornerstone of Christian belief, signifying His victory over death and His divine authority. Christians believe that through faith and baptism, they are spiritually resurrected with Christ, enabling them to live a new life.
Ascension and Heavenly Session
Following His resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. This position signifies His exaltation and ongoing intercession for believers.
The Second Coming
Christians await Jesus' return to Earth for the final judgment. The resurrection is seen as the harbinger of a new era, with the resurrected body described as spiritual, immortal, and glorified, contrasting with the earthly body.
Diverse Theological Views: Nontrinitarian Perspectives
Rejection of Trinitarian Doctrine
While the Trinity is a core doctrine for most Christians, some groups, such as Unitarians, Jehovah's Witnesses, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do not adhere to it. Their views on Jesus' nature vary significantly.
Views on Jesus' Nature
Some nontrinitarian perspectives view Jesus not as God, but as a divine messenger, prophet, or the perfect created human being. This perspective echoes views held by ancient sects like the Ebionites.
Further Academic Inquiry
Recommended Resources
For deeper academic engagement with the subject matter, consult scholarly works that explore the multifaceted aspects of Jesus Christ's life, teachings, and theological significance within Christianity.
- Deharbe, Joseph. A Complete Catechism of the Catholic Religion (1912).
- Cullmann, Oscar. The Christology of the New Testament (1959).
- Pannenberg, Wolfhart. Systematic Theology, Volume 2 (2004).
- McGrath, Alister E. Christianity: An Introduction (2006).
- Dunn, James D.G. Jesus Remembered (2003).
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "Jesus In Christianity" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- Acts 1:9รขยย11
- The Orthodox Church: An Introduction to Its History, Doctrine by John Anthony McGuckin 2010 pages 6-7
- Basic Christian doctrine by John H. Leith 1993 pages 1-2
- The Seven Ecumenical Councils of the Undivided Church, trans H. R. Percival, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 2nd Series, ed. P. Schaff and H. Wace, (repr. Grand Rapids MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1955), XIV, pp. 192-242
- Oxenden, Ashton. The parables of our Lord. William Macintosh Publishers, London, 1864. ASIN: B008RW5N2S. p.6
- Lk 17:19
- Mt 14:34รขยย36
- Brande, William Thomas, George William Cox. A dictionary of science, literature, & art. London, 1867, also Published by Old Classics on Kindle, 2009, page 655
- 20:30
- Col 2:12
- Rom 6:4
- Rom. 1:4
- 1 Corinthians 15:42รขยย49
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This content has been generated by an AI model and is intended for educational and informational purposes at a higher education level. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy based on the provided source material, it is not a substitute for rigorous academic research, theological scholarship, or consultation with qualified experts.
This is not theological or academic advice. Users should consult primary sources, peer-reviewed literature, and academic professionals for in-depth study and interpretation. The creators of this page are not responsible for any interpretations or actions taken based on the information presented herein.