The Journey Toward Understanding
Part Two: The Early Problems
I. Problems With a Human Christ
A. The Philosophical Climate of the First and Second Centuries
The Ideal is Abstract & Metaphysical, Superior to Matter
Demiurge is a lesser deity, creator
Physical, Material Things are manifestations of abstract, immaterial “forms”
Forms really exist – metaphysical/physical, but nonetheless real
Human Beings are material representations of the form of humanity. The immaterial component (soul) is superior to material component (body)
B. The Gnostic Threat
“Gnosticism is a generic label given to a wide variety of Christian teachers and schools that existed on the fringes of the early church and became a major problem for Christian leaders in the second century.” (Roger E. Olson, The Story of Christian Theology, 28)
gnwsi" (gnōsis; “knowledge” or “wisdom”) Gnostics believed they possessed secret, special knowledge
Gnostic writings discovered in Nag Hammadi (Upper Egypt) 1949,
including The Gospel of Thomas
1. Five Basic Teachings of Gnosticism a. There is One God, Who is Wholly Transcendent b. Human Beings Are “Sparks of Divinity”
c. In the “Fall,’ Pure Spirits Became Imprisoned in Material, Evil Matter d. Salvation is Escape of the Soul from Bondage in Physical World, Return to God e. The Lord Did Not Become Incarnate
Christ is a Spiritual Messenger
But this is simply plato’s philosophy!
This is the Timaeus applied to religion!
2. Docetism: Gnosticism Applied To Christ
dokew (dokeō; to seem, to appear to be)
Jesus only appeared to be human
“The Docetists, imbibing way too much Platonism for their own good, simply could not
allow for a human, fleshly Christ. Their view of God wouldn’t allow it.”
(Stephen J. Nichols, For Us and For Our Salvation, 33).
Jesus came “by means of fleshly form”
(from The Gospel of Truth, believed to be by Valentinus)
3. An Evaluation of Gnosticism
a. Gnosticism is a Retooling of Biblical Teaching
b. Gnosticism Begins From a Faulty Starting Point
c. The Bible Presents Jesus in Real Human Terms “For this reason [Jesus] had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.” (Heb 2:17)
“The sufferings of Christ will be found not to warrant faith in him. For he suffered nothing who did not truly suffer; and a phantom could not truly suffer. God’s entire work therefore is subverted. Christ’s death, wherein lies the whole weight and fruit of the Christian name, is denied.” (Tertullian, Against Marcion, III.8)
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” (1 Cor 15:17)
“The Apostle asserts [Christ’s humanity] so expressly and undoubtedly real, making it the very foundation of the gospel, of our salvation, and of his own preaching.” (Tertullian, Against Marcion, III.8)
II. Problems With a Divine Christ
A. Ebionism and Adoptionism
1. Ebionism
“Ebionites viewed Christ as a prophet, and some of them even accepted the virgin birth. But they all denied his preexistence and consequently denied his deity.” (Stephen J. Nichols, For Us and Our Salvation, 20)
“The adherents of what is known as the Ebionite heresy assert that Christ was the son of Joseph and Mary, and regard him as no more than a man.” (Eusebius, 325 A.D.)
Two Problems Associated With Ebionism 1) It is a direct denial of Scriptures that speak of Jesus’ divinity 2) It makes Jesus’ work on the cross merely a good example, not an atoning sacrifice 2. Adoptionism
Jesus is an ordinary man… … who was adopted by God.
Paul of Samosata 3rd-Century Bishop of Antioch
Began to teach Adoptionism Condemned at Synod of Antioch (260 A.D.)
First time bishops had to unite against one of their own Introduced key term ojmoousio" (homoousios; “same nature”)
Stay tuned!
“Sole Sovereignty” “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deut 6:4)
Dynamic Monarchianism Modalistic Monarchianism Suggests Jesus is a mere man, Suggests Father, Son, Spirit were all one person possessed by the Spirit at baptism (essentially adoptionism) Some Problem With Modalism
• Modalism suggests the Father suffered and died on the cross, disregarding the fact that the Atonement was the satisfaction of the Father’s justice • If the Son prayed to the Father (e.g., John 17), they must be distinct Persons • The Father and Son both are said to “send the Spirit” (John 14:15; 16:7) • The Son and Spirit both “intercede” before the Father (Rom 8:26; Heb 7:25) • The Father, Son, and Spirit are all doing distinct things at Jesus’ baptism - The Son is being baptized - The Father speaks from heaven - The Spirit descends in the form of a dove
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Early in its history, the Church affirmed
• Jesus is
• Jesus is (Divine)