Outline the principal beliefs regarding the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ

Study Notes for Studies of Religion Stage 6 Syllabus:

There are many different belief systems and interpretations surrounding the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. Here are some of the principal beliefs held by various Christian denominations:

  • Many Christians believe that Jesus is fully divine and fully human, and that he is the Son of God and the Messiah prophesied in the Old Testament. They believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and that he lived a sinless life on earth.

  • Some Christians, known as "monophysites," believe that Jesus had only one nature, which was both divine and human. They believe that Jesus' divinity overpowered his humanity and that he was not truly human in the same way that other people are.

  • Other Christians, known as "diophysites," believe that Jesus had two distinct natures, one divine and one human, and that he was fully both. They believe that Jesus' divinity and humanity were united in one person, but that they remained distinct and separate.

  • Some Christians, particularly those in the Orthodox tradition, believe in the concept of the "hypostatic union," which holds that Jesus' divine and human natures are united in his person, but that they remain distinct and unconfused.

  • Some Christians, particularly those in the Arian tradition, do not believe that Jesus is fully divine and instead view him as a created being, subordinate to God the Father.

Overall, there is a wide range of beliefs about the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ within Christianity, and different denominations and traditions hold different interpretations of these beliefs.

 

Image: Plaque with Christ in Majesty (ca. 1160–7)

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