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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
| X | X | X | X | ||
Adoptionism
| X | X | X | |||
Apollinarianism
| X | X | X | |||
Arianism
| X | X | X | |||
Docetism
| X | X | X | |||
Ebionism
| X | X | X | |||
éùtychianism
| X | X | X | X | ||
Kenosis
| X | X | X | X | ||
Marcionism
| X | X | X | |||
Monophysitism
| X | X | ||||
Nestorianism
| X | X | X | X | ||
Socinianism
| X | X | X | |||
Subordinationism
| X | X | X |