Table of Christological errors

[GildartsTale]

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 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 (God)	Divine nature (God)
Correct View: Hypostatic Union​ In the one person of Jesus are two distinct natures: divine and human.	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
éùtychianism 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 éùtyches (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