Christology and Christological Heresies

(Originally Written March 15, 2006 in 3 Subject)

New Testament Christology

Functional Titles of Jesus

1) Past work (Jesus of History)
-Prophet: 'anointed' office #1
-Servant of God (Isaiah 53)

2) Future work (Return of Christ)
-King: 'anointed' office #2
-Son of Man: will judge the Nations (Daniel 7:13-14)

3) Present work (The ascended Christ)
-Priest: 'anointed' office #3 (Hebrews)
-Lord over all: (Philippians 2:9-11)

4) Pre-Existence of Christ
-Word (logos) of God (John 1:1-3, 14)
-Creator = Redeemer
-God, "I AM" is mentioned 7 times in John and in Titus 2:13

Christological Controversies (100-325 A.D.)

Gnosticism - Cerinthus & the Docetists

Cerinthus - divides Jesus from Christ. The Christ Spirit arrives when Jesus the man is baptized and leaves at the moment of Jesus' crucifixion. Jesus the man dies but the Christ spirit does not. In between Jesus the man is possessed of the Christ Spirit and does the ministry of Christ Jesus.

Docetism - Jesus only seems (dokeo) human. There was not an actual incarnation

Adoptionism - Jesus is not God, but was adopted by God