Christology, Christian reflection, teaching, and doctrine concerning Jesus of Nazareth. Christology is the part of theology that is concerned with the nature and work of Jesus, including such matters as the Incarnation, the Resurrection, and his human and divine natures and their relationship. Christology is dependent upon, but not identical with, the portrayal of Jesus in the New Testament, both the four Gospels and the Epistles. The underlying methodological assumption of Christology is that the New Testament contains the authentic and accurate record of Jesus, both explicitly and implicitly. The New Testament is taken to convey that the earliest followers of Jesus were convinced that God was revealed in him and that they attributed a number of titles to him, such as “Messiah,” “Son of Man,” “Son of God,” and “Lord.” Christian discourse uses the portrayal of Jesus in the foundational documents of Christianity as a point of departure. Traditionally, Christological reflection has focused on two specific aspects of that portrayal—namely, the person and the work of Jesus. It has also sought to clarify and systematize the meaning of the scriptural depiction of Jesus.
Christology
Aspects of the topic Christology are discussed in the following places at Britannica.
Assorted References
- major reference (in Christianity: The Christological controversies)
- early church (in Christianity: The Gentile mission and St. Paul; in Christianity: Eastern controversies )
- Jesus (in Christianity: Different interpretations of the person of Jesus)
- New Testament references (in biblical literature: Form criticism; in biblical literature: The Gospel According to Mark: unique structure; in biblical literature: Form and content of John; in biblical literature: Christology in Hebrews; in biblical literature: The First Letter of Peter )
- patristic literature (in patristic literature (Christianity): The post-Nicene period; in patristic literature (Christianity): The Chalcedonian Fathers )
- salvation (in salvation (religion): Christianity)
- schism (in Christianity: Early controversies)
contribution by
- Eutyches (in Eutyches (Orthodox abbot))
- John IV of Odzun (in John IV of Odzun (Armenian Orthodox catholicos))
- Luther and Zwingli (in Martin Luther (German religious leader): Controversies after the Diet of Worms)
- Paul of Samosata (in Paul Of Samosata (bishop of Antioch))
- Philoponus (in John Philoponus (Greek philosopher))
- Saint Paul (in Saint Paul, the Apostle (Christian Apostle): Christology)
- Theodore of Mopsuestia (in Theodore Of Mopsuestia (Syrian theologian))
- Theodore of Rhaithu (in Theodore Of Rhaithu (Chalcedonian theologian))
- Theodoret of Cyrrhus (in Theodoret Of Cyrrhus (Syrian theologian))
Citations
To cite this page:
"Christology." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2014. Web. 22 Oct. 2014. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/115761/Christology>.
Christology. (2014). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/115761/Christology
Christology 2014. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 22 October, 2014, from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/115761/Christology
Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s. v. "Christology," accessed October 22, 2014, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/115761/Christology.