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14 pages, 326 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Who Do You Say That I Am? (Matt 16:15; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20): Christology in the Synoptic Gospels

by Brian Meldrum

Religions 2025, 16(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16020170 - 2 Feb 2025

Viewed by 858

This article investigates Jesus’s identity in the Synoptic Gospels by examining the Gospels’ literary features. I take a narrative approach to determine how the evangelists, in unique and shared ways, reveal to their audiences who Jesus is. Certain literary features in the evangelists’ [...] Read more.

This article investigates Jesus’s identity in the Synoptic Gospels by examining the Gospels’ literary features. I take a narrative approach to determine how the evangelists, in unique and shared ways, reveal to their audiences who Jesus is. Certain literary features in the evangelists’ texts provide an answer to Jesus’s question, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matt 16:15; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20). For Mark, Jesus is “Christ” and “Son of God” (Mark 1:1); as the plot unfolds, these terms become guideposts suggesting that characters in the Gospel (and by extension the audience, too) come to a deeper understanding of who Jesus is. For Matthew, the good news of Jesus commences with the relationship between Jesus and Israel’s past through figures like David and Abraham. By observing how Matthew characterizes Jesus in the Gospel, the audience learns that Jesus stands in continuity with Israel. Finally, Luke starts his account with a focus not on figures from Israel’s history, but rather on its institutions, like the temple and the priesthood (see Luke 1:5, 9). Luke’s audience learns who Jesus is by paying attention to Luke’s use of settings and themes. Thus, the particular literary artistry of each synoptic evangelist provides a way for a contemporary audience to know Jesus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians)

18 pages, 262 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Christology and the Catholic Encounter with World Religions

by Francis V. Tiso

Religions 2025, 16(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010020 - 30 Dec 2024

Viewed by 695

Abstract

Taking into consideration both of the statements of the Catholic magisterium and the pastoral environment of Catholic institutions, this essay offers some observations on the roots and objectives of interreligious dialogue. Framing dialogue in the faith experience of Christ as Lord allows the [...] Read more.

Taking into consideration both of the statements of the Catholic magisterium and the pastoral environment of Catholic institutions, this essay offers some observations on the roots and objectives of interreligious dialogue. Framing dialogue in the faith experience of Christ as Lord allows the dialogue of life to emerge as a living expression of the way of life of every faithful Catholic. To live in Christ is the essence of being the Church. The mission of the Church is to proclaim the saving work and living presence of Christ. Christian spirituality is an intentional search for the fullness of Christ’s humanity so that the community at prayer can embody the Risen One under all circumstances. This “embodiment” necessarily includes encountering human “others”, diminishing the feeling of separateness, and discerning human conditions and possibilities for growth. To accomplish this task, Catholic Christians are invited to find Christ in all phenomena, including in other religions as disclosures of what it is to be human. To grow spiritually under the present circumstances of our communities, Catholics can begin to listen to hear the “voice” of the Good Shepherd wherever it resounds. In hearing the authentic ring of this voice of mercy and love, the community discerns that a previously “unknown” Christ is present before us, inviting a deepened understanding of Christ, both human and divine. Out of this understanding arises an affirmation of the Christologies of the historical Catholic consensus, now impelling the Church toward new forms of mission, service, and contemplation. This essay takes note of recent trends in Christology, suggesting correction courses for both progressive and traditionalist approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians)

17 pages, 349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Christology of Origen

by John C. Solheid

Religions 2025, 16(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16010019 - 30 Dec 2024

Viewed by 904

Abstract

In this essay, I will provide an overview of the Christology of Origen. Because Origen expressed his views in a variety of different literary and polemical contexts, and because the person of Christ pervades the entirety of his thought, I will focus my [...] Read more.

In this essay, I will provide an overview of the Christology of Origen. Because Origen expressed his views in a variety of different literary and polemical contexts, and because the person of Christ pervades the entirety of his thought, I will focus my attention primarily on issues pertaining to his reception at Nicaea. I will highlight the key Origenian texts that shed light upon the theological questions with which he was preoccupied and address the role of the Monarchians in shaping his understanding of Christ. I will also address what I regard as one of Origen’s signature contributions to Christology, a contribution that has not yet received adequate attention, namely his understanding of the mystical body of Christ into which we enter at Baptism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians)

21 pages, 363 KiB

Open AccessArticle

“Signore, Ti Amo” (John 21:17): The Christology of Pope Benedict XVI/Joseph Ratzinger

by Emery A. de Gaál

Religions 2024, 15(12), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15121440 - 27 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1377

Abstract

With 1600 titles Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI. is the most academically published pope in Church history. His stature as a theologian is only comparable to that of Leo the Great or Gregory the Great. In an age that has lost an appreciation for [...] Read more.

With 1600 titles Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI. is the most academically published pope in Church history. His stature as a theologian is only comparable to that of Leo the Great or Gregory the Great. In an age that has lost an appreciation for the human being as a person, the peritus Ratzinger introduced at the Second Vatican Council the notion that divine revelation is ultimately identical with the Godman Jesus Christ. In his view, Jesus Christ, as a divine person with both divine and human natures, redeems the postmodern human being from solipsistic self-preoccupation and existentialist despair. Such is the result of a positivistic and rationalistic approach to the figure of Jesus Christ. At the beginning of the 21st century, Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated an epochal, personalist, and Christocentric shift by penning the Jesus of Nazareth trilogy, taking serious Kant’s critiques and writing thus the first “post-critical” Christology presented to postmodernity. Nowhere else does Ratzinger write so extensively on “the man from Nazareth”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians)

13 pages, 257 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Latin American Christology: A God Who Liberates

by Amanda Rachel Bolaños

Religions 2024, 15(10), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15101165 - 25 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1336

Abstract

This paper will investigate the dynamic nature of Latin American Christology, a Christology that cannot be separated from the tenets of liberation theology. I will first offer an overview of the development of Latin American Christology and liberation theology, along with its unique [...] Read more.

This paper will investigate the dynamic nature of Latin American Christology, a Christology that cannot be separated from the tenets of liberation theology. I will first offer an overview of the development of Latin American Christology and liberation theology, along with its unique features; then, I will analyze some major representatives of Latin American Christology, specifically Jon Sobrino and St. Óscar Romero (through the research of Edgardo Colón-Emeric). Lastly, I will conclude with the relevance of Latin American Christology within the greater landscape of Christian theology today. The theologians considered in this paper are primarily Catholic theologians, with the exception of Edgardo Colón-Emeric, a Methodist pastor, who has become a global voice of authority on the life, thought, and vision of the martyred St. Óscar Romero. Latin American Christology, as will be argued in this paper, cannot be understood separately from the space, culture, and identity of Latin America—the land and the context. This measures to a pivotal pedagogical claim of Latin American Christology as a global teaching pillar for all Christologies and theologies, Catholic or Protestant, within Latin America or outside Latin America. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians)

19 pages, 356 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Johannine Revelation, Nicene Witness

by Joseph S. O’Leary

Religions 2024, 15(9), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15091102 - 12 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1937

Abstract

On its seventeenth centenary, I seek to reassess the theological significance of the Nicene Creed, drawing inspiration from Athanasius, who came to see the Creed as a privileged transmission of the apostolic teaching based on the Revelation granted by Christ. I attempt to [...] Read more.

On its seventeenth centenary, I seek to reassess the theological significance of the Nicene Creed, drawing inspiration from Athanasius, who came to see the Creed as a privileged transmission of the apostolic teaching based on the Revelation granted by Christ. I attempt to bring into focus the nature of Revelation, referring to Karl Barth and Jean-Luc Marion. Criticizing the deflationary approach to Nicaea and Athanasius, which has been common of late, I read the layers of meaning in the Creed with special attention to the way the Creed builds on Johannine themes, and I reassess its ousia language. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians)

13 pages, 232 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Apologetic Evangelical Contextual Christology: A Pragmatic Approach in the Islamic Context (Pakistan)

by Aftab Yunis Hakim

Religions 2024, 15(9), 1032; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15091032 - 26 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1269

Abstract

The conflict over Jesus Christ, the ‘Son of God’, is not new. Thousands of years ago, the disciples faced similar trials; however, the challenge to solve this tension was not based on debates or natural theology but rather to show the works of [...] Read more.

The conflict over Jesus Christ, the ‘Son of God’, is not new. Thousands of years ago, the disciples faced similar trials; however, the challenge to solve this tension was not based on debates or natural theology but rather to show the works of Christ. This researcher argues that various studies on Christology have already been conducted. However, the Pakistani perspective demands the fullness of Christ in a unique way to reimagine Him in the context of socio-economic, political, and religious challenges. On the one hand, though the traditional way of doing Christology highly emphasizes the personhood of Christ, explaining Him from the eschatological perspective (though it is important), on the other hand, it makes Christ an aloof Jesus who has no concern for the current issues. As a result, this kind of Christological articulation does not explain Christ’s presence in our struggles today. This piece further demonstrates that the context is not above Christ in finding who He is in the midst of such a grave situation; rather, contextual realities provide the Pakistani Punjabi Church an opportunity to demonstrate the works of Christ. Furthermore, this study also argues that the real struggle is not being a minority in this context, but rather, being marginalized (economically, politically, and religiously) is the real challenge. This study further argues that the core issue is the ecclesiastical responsibility to overcome all the issues in this context. The researcher employs quantitative methodology to evaluate the socio-political, socio-economic, and religious perspectives and equips grassroots communities using an evangelical contextual missiological approach. As a result, ‘Apologetic Evangelical Contextual Christology’ is proposed as seeing Christ in all His fullness in the Islamic Context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians)

14 pages, 299 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Christology of Cyril of Alexandria

by Daniel A. Keating

Religions 2024, 15(6), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15060688 - 31 May 2024

Viewed by 2286

Abstract

Cyril of Alexandria is best known for his teaching on Christ (Christology). Beginning with the wider soteriological framework for Cyril’s teaching on Christ, this study will first establish the core principles and then move to consider contested and controversial aspects of Cyril’s Christology. [...] Read more.

Cyril of Alexandria is best known for his teaching on Christ (Christology). Beginning with the wider soteriological framework for Cyril’s teaching on Christ, this study will first establish the core principles and then move to consider contested and controversial aspects of Cyril’s Christology. By drawing attention to Cyril’s frequent statements that the Incarnate Christ acts both “as man” (as a human being) and “as God”, I will offer support for there being two active natures in Cyril’s view of Christ and will propose that Cyril’s Christ acting “as man” opens the way for recognizing the specific human activity of Christ that is intended as a model for human imitation. The study will conclude with considerations on the wider ecumenical impact of Cyril’s Christological doctrine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians)

9 pages, 185 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Christology of the Church of the East

by Sebastian P. Brock

Religions 2024, 15(4), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15040457 - 5 Apr 2024

Viewed by 2787

Abstract

After setting out the background of the early history of the Church of the East, this contribution focuses on the Syriac sources of the fifth to seventh centuries which are witnesses to the development of the ‘two-nature’ Christology of the Church of the [...] Read more.

After setting out the background of the early history of the Church of the East, this contribution focuses on the Syriac sources of the fifth to seventh centuries which are witnesses to the development of the ‘two-nature’ Christology of the Church of the East, situated outside the Roman Empire during this formative period. Special attention is paid to the ambiguous term qnoma, which is used to render hypostasis in the Chalcedonian Definition, but which, for native Syriac authors, has the different sense of ‘defining characteristic’. The problematic designation ‘Nestorian’ should be avoided since it implies completely different things to different parties. Some final thoughts are given to the ongoing significance of the tradition of the Church of the East in its various present-day manifestations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Christology: Christian Writings and the Reflections of Theologians)

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