Introduction to Christology
Liberty 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 vs. from Below
The Person or Work of Christ, Which is Prior?
Christ and Myth
I. Introduction to this Study
A. Relation to other Theological Study
1 Theology Proper (above)
2 Man and Sin (below)
Three Issues Addressed Here
1 Faith and History/Reason
2 Ontology vs. Function
3 Myth and the Nature of the Biblical Witness
II. Search 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 infinite value of the human soul
The higher Righteousness and the Commandment of Love
III. Critique of the Classic Liberal Position
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 not lost on the NT reader.
2 Kahler
1 Distinguished Historie and Geschichte
2 Contrasted “Jesus” of Historie and the “Christ” of Geschichte.
IV. Above or Below?
1 Kahler’s Distinction led to the question: Which is prior—Historie or Geschichte?
2 The Neo-Orthodox Theologians such as Barth, Bultmann, and Brunner begin with the Kerygma—from 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
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 vs. from Below
The Person or Work of Christ, Which is Prior?
Christ and Myth
I. Introduction to this Study
A. Relation to other Theological Study
1 Theology Proper (above)
2 Man and Sin (below)
Three Issues Addressed Here
1 Faith and History/Reason
2 Ontology vs. Function
3 Myth and the Nature of the Biblical Witness
II. Search 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 infinite value of the human soul
The higher Righteousness and the Commandment of Love
III. Critique of the Classic Liberal Position
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 not lost on the NT reader.
2 Kahler
1 Distinguished Historie and Geschichte
2 Contrasted “Jesus” of Historie and the “Christ” of Geschichte.
IV. Above or Below?
1 Kahler’s Distinction led to the question: Which is prior—Historie or Geschichte?
2 The Neo-Orthodox Theologians such as Barth, Bultmann, and Brunner begin with the Kerygma—from 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
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 teaching is entirely unique to the World’s Religions.