Christology is the study of the person of Christ Jesus. Throughout the centuries there have been many false teachings (Christological errors) about him. They range from a direct denial that Jesus existed (some atheists) to the idea that Jesus was a created angel that became God. But, in response to the occasional heresy about the person of Christ that arose through history, the Christian church formulated more precisely the doctrine of Christ. The correct position of Jesus is what is called the hypostatic union which states that in the one person of Christ are two distinct natures: divine and human. That natures are not mixed nor combined. Rather, they remain separate and manifest as one person with one will. The particulars have been discussed throughout church history by many scholars. Though the hypostatic union may be paradoxical, it is not illogical.
Personhood
The issue of personhood it’s important when studying Christ. Generally speaking, personhood is described by its properties. Therefore, someone who has the quality of being a person can think, is self-aware, can recognize the existence of others, speaks, etc. Jesus is one person with two natures.
Continuity
Continuity is an important concept related to the person and work of Christ. In the continuity of Jesus’ divine nature, we say that there was no change in the divine nature of Christ. It continued just as it was in the incarnation when it became in union (hypostatic union) with the human nature in the one person of Christ. But in view of such doctrines as Arianism (Jehovah’s Witnesses) that teach that an angel became a man in the person of Christ. The problem of continuity exists with this teaching. In other words, an angel is by nature an angel, not a human. so, in order for an angel to become a man, it had to change its nature. But if its nature changes, then it doesn’t exist anymore. By analogy, a chair is by nature a chair, not a television.it is not possible for a chair to become a television because they have different natures. They do not transfer to each other.
Table of comparison of Christological Errors
The following table alphabetically lists the various heresies (starts with the correct view, however) in alphabetical order with a brief description. To the right is the comparison of each teaching as they relate to the personhood and natures of both God and man.
One
person
Two
persons
One
nature
Two
natures
Human
nature (Man)
Divine
nature (God)
Correct View: Hypostatic Union
In the one person of Jesus are two distinct natures: divine and human.
See articles on CARM: Hypostatic Union and Communicatio Idiomatum
X
X
X
X
Adoptionism
Jesus became the Christ at his baptism and was adopted into the godhead
This means that there was a change in the nature of the person of Jesus as a man, that then became human
X
X
X
Apollinarianism
Developed by Apollinarius (310 – 390)
The divine nature took the place of the human nature
Jesus had a human body without a human mind
Sought to maintain the unity of Jesus as the incarnate divine Logos
X
X
X
Arianism
Jesus is the highest created being, not divine
Jesus preexisted as a created angel that became human
Taught by Arius (250 – 336)
X
X
X
Docetism
Jesus only appeared to be human in a physical body.
Taught by the Gnostics who believed that physical reality was evil
X
X
X
Ebionism
Jesus was not divine but was an ordinary man
Jesus became the ‘Son of God’ when the Holy Spirit descended upon him
X
X
X
Eutychianism
Jesus’ natures and properties were combined/mixed
Jesus’ human nature was absorbed into the divine nature so that Jesus had only one nature.
Similar to monophysitism
Taught by Eutyches (378 – 454)
X
X
X
X
Kenosis
In Jesus’ incarnation, he divested himself of some divine attributes
The divine word subtracted various properties in order to become a man
X
X
X
X
Marcionism
Christ never became flesh.
God of OT is bad. The God of NT is good.
Taught by Marcion (d. 160)
X
X
X
Monophysitism
One new nature, the god-man nature
Jesus became a new third nature, a combined god/human nature
X
X
Nestorianism
Two separate persons in the body of Christ
Two separate natures in the body of Christ
Taught by Nestorius (d. 451)
X
X
X
X
Socinianism
Jesus was only a man, not divine
No pre-existent quality
Taught by Socinus (1539-1604)
X
X
X
Subordinationism
That the Word (and the Holy Spirit) is subordinate and inferior to God in nature
Not to be confused with subordination – that Jesus was in a lesser position than the Father (Gal. 4:4; Heb. 2:9)
X
X
X
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