Introduction to Christology

Freedom Baptist Theological Seminary Theo 530: Systematic Theology II Lesson 1 Dr. Daniel R Mitchell, Professor Introduction to Christology Contemporary Issues in Christological Method Overview Christ and History The Search Christology from Above versus from Below The Person or Work of Christ, Which is Prior? Christ and Myth I. Prologue to this Study A. Connection to other Theological Study 1 Theology Proper (over) 2 Man and Sin (beneath) Three Issues Addressed Here 1 Faith and History/Reason 2 Ontology versus Capacity 3 Myth and the Nature of the Biblical Witness II. Quest for the Historical Jesus Key Players: Strauss, Renan, Harnack Harnack’s Presuppositions NT and Superstitious Culture Ancient Miracle Claims are Commonplace Anti-supernaturalism Miracle Claims are Rooted in Ignorance Harnack and the Essential Message of Jesus The Kingdom of God and its Coming God the Father and the unbounded estimation of the human spirit The higher Righteousness and the Commandment of Love III. Scrutinize of the Classic Liberal Position A. Schweitzer, Search of the Historical Jesus in the NT is altogether Eschatological. It is Presumptuous for Moderns to attempt to Reinvent Him. Jesus was â€Å"wrong,† however his fundamental message isn't lost on the NT peruser. Kahler 1 Distinguished Historie and Geschichte 2 Contrasted â€Å"Jesus† of Historie and the â€Å"Christ† of Geschichte. IV. Above or Below? 1 Kahler’s Distinction prompted the inquiry: Which is priorâ€Historie or Geschichte? 2 The Neo-Orthodox Theologians, for example, Barth, Bultmann, and Brunner start with the Kerygmaâ€from Above (the NT witness). 3 Kasemann (â€Å"New Search†) and Pannenberg start with Historie (plausible facts)â€from Below. 4 Erickson needs to utilize both in unique strain. 1 Following Augustine he starts with confidence (from over) 2 He continues â€Å"from below† to test the dependability of his confidence given â€Å"hypothesis. V. The Person versus the Work of Christ The NT appears to Link these 1. (e. g. Messianic Mission and Divine Sonship) Classic Theology Separated them and Stressed Ontology (the Person) Reformers (Luther/Calvin) followed Classic religious philosophy, however accentuated the Soteriological hugeness (Work) of Christ. Current Theology Continued and Exaggerated this Distinction and Emphasis. Schleiermacher†â€Å"feelings† Bultmann/Tillichâ€â€Å"existential† question VI. Upsides and downsides of the Two Approaches Christology from Above Strengthâ€Emphasizes â€Å"Who† Christ is in assessing the noteworthiness of His Work. Weaknessâ€Tends to get hindered in philosophical inquiries, which have no importance to useful life. Christology from Below Strengthâ€Relevance to Life Weaknessâ€Driven by â€Å"felt needs† and Risks visual deficiency to Issues of Importance that are just made sure about â€Å"from above. † VII. Christ and the Incarnation Myth Bultmann and â€Å"demythologization. † Builds on the way of thinking of Idealism Links Christianity and World Religions Erickson’s Responses The Incarnation is a Mystery The Doctrine is Rooted in Jesus’ own Claims of Himself. The NT educating is completely extraordinary to the World’s Religions.