Introduction to Christology

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary Theo 530 Systematic Theology II Lesson 1 Dr. Daniel R Mitchell, Professor Introduction to saviourology Contemporary Issues in Christological mode Overview Christ and History The Search Christology from Above vs. from Below The Person or Work of Christ, Which is Prior? Christ and Myth I. Introduction to this Study A. congress to other Theological Study 1 Theology Proper (above) 2 Man and Sin (below) Three Issues Addressed Here 1 organized religion and History/Reason 2 Ontology vs. Function 3 Myth and the reputation of the Biblical Witness II. Search for the Historical Jesus Key Players Strauss, Renan, HarnackHarnacks Presuppositions NT and Superstitious Culture Ancient Miracle Claims are Commonplace Anti-supernaturalism Miracle Claims are grow in Ignorance Harnack and the Essential Message of Jesus The Kingdom of God and its flood tide God the Father and the infinite value of the human soul The higher(prenominal) Righteousness and the Command ment of Love III. Critique of the Classic Liberal mental attitude A. Schweitzer, Search of the Historical Jesus Jesus in the NT is thoroughly Eschatological. It is presumptuous for Moderns to try to Reinvent Him. Jesus was wrong, but his essential message is non lost on the NT reader. Kahler 1 Distinguished Historie and Geschichte 2 Contrasted Jesus of Historie and the Christ of Geschichte. IV. Above or Below? 1 Kahlers character conduct to the question Which is priorHistorie or Geschichte? 2 The Neo-Orthodox Theologians such as Barth, Bultmann, and Brunner nurse with the Kerygmafrom Above (the NT witness). 3 Kasemann (New Search) and Pannenberg begin with Historie (probable facts)from Below. 4 Erickson wants to use both in dynamic tension. 1 Following Augustine he begins with faith (from above) 2 He proceeds from below to test the reliability of his faith-given hypothesis. V. The Person vs. the Work of Christ The NT seems to Link these 1. (e. g. Messianic Mission and prophe sy Sonship) Classic Theology Separated them and Stressed Ontology (the Person) Reformers (Luther/Calvin) followed Classic theology, but emphasized the Soteriological significance (Work) of Christ. Modern Theology Continued and Exaggerated this Distinction and Emphasis. Schleiermacher feelings Bultmann/Tillichexistential question VI. Pros and Cons of the Two Approaches Christology from Above StrengthEmphasizes Who Christ is in evaluating the significance of His Work.WeaknessTends to become bogged down in philosophical questions, which have no relevance to practical life. Christology from Below StrengthRelevance to keep WeaknessDriven by felt needs and Risks blindness to Issues of splendor that are only secured from above. VII. Christ and the Incarnation Myth Bultmann and demythologization. Builds on the school of thought of Idealism Links Christianity and World Religions Ericksons Responses The Incarnation is a riddle The Doctrine is Rooted in Jesus own Claims of Himself. The N T teaching is totally unique to the Worlds Religions.