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Irenaeus and Christology

Irenaeus and Christology. Christological starting points. Two givens: There is only one God, and Jesus is Lord Two sources: scriptures and worship Questions Can God suffer? How is Jesus human like the rest of us? How is Jesus divine? . Background. Irenaeus born ca. 140, in Asia Minor

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Irenaeus and Christology

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  1. Irenaeus and Christology

  2. Christological starting points • Two givens: • There is only one God, and • Jesus is Lord • Two sources: scriptures and worship • Questions • Can God suffer? • How is Jesus human like the rest of us? • How is Jesus divine?

  3. Background • Irenaeus born ca. 140, in Asia Minor • Went to Gaul (France), became bishop of Lyons • Big book: Against Heresies, mostly refuting Marcion and other Gnostics • Written ca. 180 (Marcion active ca. 150 in Rome—clearly, the ideas are spreading)

  4. Terms • God = divinity. A general term. • Christ = “chosen one”, “Messiah” • A title of honor. Applied to Jesus in faith. • Word (“Logos”) = divine name for second person of the Trinity. Specific term. • In Greek philosophy, refers to the principle of rationality in creation. • Son = specific and relational divine term, Son of the Father • Jesus = the human being Jesus of Nazareth • Proper name, not a title or statement of belief. • Jesus Christ = belief that the man Jesus is the Messiah

  5. Irenaeus’ argument • The Christian God has really entered the world, and does so in a particular way in Jesus Christ • Jesus Christ was really human • Suffered, subject to hurt • Sums up human existence • Overcomes what went wrong in Adam (symmetry) • Jesus Christ also divine • United humanity with God by uniting the two in his own self • Conquered power of death and sin (Christus Victor) • Descended from heaven to take up human nature

  6. Other key ideas • “One and the same” • One God of both creation and salvation, of OT and NT • One covenant between God and people, expressed in different historical periods (dispensations) • Recapitulation • Jesus Christ sums up what is essentially human • Essentially like all people • Paradigm of growth (not loss of perfection) • Human beings created good but not finished, needed to grow into maturity • Jesus Christ completes/perfects human nature

  7. For next time • Melito of Sardis • How does he interpret the Exodus Passover story? • What are the most salient characteristics of Jesus, for Melito? How is he human, how divine?

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