Retreat Saturday Morning. 8/31/2013.
Dr. Bruce Ware.
The Early Church was convinced that God the Father was the One God.
No question that God the Father was God.
So, then who was Jesus Christ? Was Jesus Christ also God?
How do we understand Jesus as God and as Man.
I. Introduction: Fully God, Fully Man, One Person, with Two Natures
Dr. Bruce Ware.
The Early Church was convinced that God the Father was the One God.
No question that God the Father was God.
So, then who was Jesus Christ? Was Jesus Christ also God?
How do we understand Jesus as God and as Man.
I. Introduction: Fully God, Fully Man, One Person, with Two Natures
A. Council of Nicea (A.D. 325)—Fully God
• Condemned Arianism—that Christ was himself a created being.
Since Jesus was brought into existence, he was thought to be created by the Father.
• Affirmed, with Athanasius, that Christ was homoousios (same nature) with the Father
• Affirmed, with the Cappadocians (Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Basil of Caesarea) that Christ was both fully God and fully man.
First Article on the Son, Second Article on the Father.
Third Article of the Nicene Creed: We believe in the Holy Spirit.
Then at Constantinople, they added:
1. We believe in the Holy Spirit.
2. The Lord, the giver of life.
3. Who proceeds from the Father
4. Who with the Father, is worshiped and glorified
5. Who spoke by the Prophets.
Each meant to show the deity of the Spirit. The Spirit is Lord.
C. Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431)—One Person
• Condemned Nestorianism—that Christ was fully God and fully man by being two full persons joined together
• Affirmed that Christ was fully God in nature, and fully man in nature, and so one person with two natures—hypostatic union, i.e., the union of two natures (ousia) in one person (hypostasis)
Two natures joined together.
D. Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)—Two Natures
• Condemned Eutychianism—that Christ’s two natures co-mingled within him, producing a sort of humanized deity and divinized humanity
• Affirmed, with Athanasius, that Christ was homoousios (same nature) with the Father
Nicea then recognized that the Son along with the Father had one nature.
B. Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381)—Fully Man
• Condemned Apollinarianism —that while Christ was fully God, only appeared to be human (Docetism) but was not actually fully human. ("God in a bod") If Jesus was fully God, they thought Jesus couldn't also be a man. Rejected that Jesus was fully HUMAN.B. Council of Constantinople (A.D. 381)—Fully Man
• Affirmed, with the Cappadocians (Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Basil of Caesarea) that Christ was both fully God and fully man.
First Article on the Son, Second Article on the Father.
Third Article of the Nicene Creed: We believe in the Holy Spirit.
Then at Constantinople, they added:
1. We believe in the Holy Spirit.
2. The Lord, the giver of life.
3. Who proceeds from the Father
4. Who with the Father, is worshiped and glorified
5. Who spoke by the Prophets.
Each meant to show the deity of the Spirit. The Spirit is Lord.
C. Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431)—One Person
• Condemned Nestorianism—that Christ was fully God and fully man by being two full persons joined together
• Affirmed that Christ was fully God in nature, and fully man in nature, and so one person with two natures—hypostatic union, i.e., the union of two natures (ousia) in one person (hypostasis)
Two natures joined together.
D. Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)—Two Natures
• Condemned Eutychianism—that Christ’s two natures co-mingled within him, producing a sort of humanized deity and divinized humanity
Confusion of the two natures. Example: Pitcher of Apple Juice and of Grape juice mixed together. Now you no longer have pure Apple juice or Grape juice.
• Affirmed that Christ was fully God and fully man in one person, his two natures being conjoined forever together but not confused
• Affirmed that Christ was fully God and fully man in one person, his two natures being conjoined forever together but not confused
Yet they affirmed two distinct. Think super glue: joined together and inseparable but still distinct.
In the Trinity: One divine nature, but 3 personal expressions.
In Christology: Multiple natures, singular person.
II. Trinitarian Structure for Understanding the One God who is Three
Bad Example of the Trinity: H2O, ice, and steam. This is Modalism.
Bad Example of the Trinity: A Triangle. Side-A by itself doesn't have the nature of triangularity.
Better Example of the Trinity: Draw a Blue Circle, Draw a Red Circle on top, Draw a Green Circle on top of the first two Circles. They all have the same nature, yet each is a distinct expression of that one nature.
Distinction. & Equality. Both necessary for the Christian doctrine of Trinity.
B. Trinitarian Monotheism: One in Essence
In the Trinity: One divine nature, but 3 personal expressions.
In Christology: Multiple natures, singular person.
II. Trinitarian Structure for Understanding the One God who is Three
A. The Twin Pillars of Trinitarian Doctrine: Distinction and Identity; Difference and Equality
E.g. John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God [distinction], and the Word was God [identity]
Father, Son, and HS are not 3 names for the same person.
Example: Bruce, Mr.Ware, and Jodi's Husband. All three things are true about each person.
*There must be distinction among Father, Son, and HS or the Christian faith would collapse into Unitarian-Monotheism (when Christianity is Trinitarian-Monotheism: 3 distinct persons.)
Father, Son, and HS are not 3 names for the same person.
Example: Bruce, Mr.Ware, and Jodi's Husband. All three things are true about each person.
*There must be distinction among Father, Son, and HS or the Christian faith would collapse into Unitarian-Monotheism (when Christianity is Trinitarian-Monotheism: 3 distinct persons.)
Bad Example of the Trinity: H2O, ice, and steam. This is Modalism.
Bad Example of the Trinity: A Triangle. Side-A by itself doesn't have the nature of triangularity.
Better Example of the Trinity: Draw a Blue Circle, Draw a Red Circle on top, Draw a Green Circle on top of the first two Circles. They all have the same nature, yet each is a distinct expression of that one nature.
Distinction. & Equality. Both necessary for the Christian doctrine of Trinity.
B. Trinitarian Monotheism: One in Essence
The Christian faith affirms that there is one and only one God, eternally existing while fully and simultaneously expressed in three Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Each member of the Godhead is equally God, each is eternally God, and each is fully God—not three gods but three Persons of the one Godhead. Each Person is equal in essence as each possesses fully the identically same and eternal divine nature, yet each is also an eternal and distinct personal expression of that one undivided divine nature.
One nature. If they had different natures, then they are different gods.
C. Trinitarian Monotheism: Three in Persons
Because of this, what distinguishes each Person of the Godhead from each other is not and cannot be the divine nature of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This—the one and undivided divine nature—is possessed equally, eternally, simultaneously, and fully by each of the three Persons of the Godhead. Therefore, what distinguish each Person of the Godhead from each of the other persons are the identifiable relationships that each has with each of the other persons, and the particular roles each carries out in relation to the other persons. Both an equality of essence yet differentiation of relationships and roles, then, exist among the persons of the Godhead, so the God of the Bible is fully one (in essence) and three (in persons).
Relationships and Roles. Father and Sons easy to understand. The Spirit assists the Son, and takes orders from the Father.
QUESTION: If Jesus is fully God and became man, how can you say that God never changes?
A: A change to the better means he wasn't the best. A change to the worst means he's no longer the best. Either way you lose God. Yet, are there changes that can take place that aren't for better or worse? Yes. Changes that help the mission of God. No change in his fundamental character. These changes are the outworking of His purposes.
QUESTION: Define the difference between "Nature" vs "Persons"
Nature: Everything essential for God to be God. Holiness, Wisdom, Goodness, etc. These are fully attributes of Father, Son, Spirit.
Person: The use/expressions of these natures.
QUESTION: If Jesus is fully God and became man, how can you say that God never changes?
A: A change to the better means he wasn't the best. A change to the worst means he's no longer the best. Either way you lose God. Yet, are there changes that can take place that aren't for better or worse? Yes. Changes that help the mission of God. No change in his fundamental character. These changes are the outworking of His purposes.
QUESTION: Define the difference between "Nature" vs "Persons"
Nature: Everything essential for God to be God. Holiness, Wisdom, Goodness, etc. These are fully attributes of Father, Son, Spirit.
Person: The use/expressions of these natures.
III. The Son as Eternally the Son of the Eternal Father
A. The Son as the Eternal Son, the Incarnate Son, and the Exalted Reigning Son of the Father
I.e., the Son is the Son of the Father in eternity past, in the incarnation, and in eternity future. He is, then, eternally the Son of the eternal Father.
1. Eternal Son of the Eternal Father
John 3:16-17 – 16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
He was the Son all the time; He didn't just become the Son at a certain point of time.
Galatians 4:4 – But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law
Hebrews 1:1-2 – 1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
Making the world pre-dates the incarnation.
Making the world pre-dates the incarnation.
1 John 4:9-10 – 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
2. Incarnate Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born the God-man of the Virgin Mary
Luke 1:31-35 – 31 [the angel Gabriel said to Mary,] “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”
He is called "Son of God" in His incarnation. But he was already Son of God. Yet now He's called the Son of Mary/Son of Joseph... titles added in addition to Son of God.
He is called "Son of God" in His incarnation. But he was already Son of God. Yet now He's called the Son of Mary/Son of Joseph... titles added in addition to Son of God.
John 1:33-34 – 33 [John the Baptist said] “I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the One who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ 34 “I myself have seen, and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
John 1:49 – Nathanael answered Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel.”
Galatians 2:20 – I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
3. Raised and Exalted Son, Ascended and Reigning with the Father over All
Acts 13:32-33 – 32 “And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, 33 that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today i have begotten You.’ [quoting Ps 2:7]
Given the name of "Son of God" after resurrection. Exalted Sonship, linked with kingship over all the world.
Given the name of "Son of God" after resurrection. Exalted Sonship, linked with kingship over all the world.
Romans 1:3-4 – 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord
1 Corinthians 15:27-28 – 27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
Hebrews 4:14 – Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
B. As Eternally the Son of the Eternal Father, the Son is always Agent of the Father, under the headship of the Father—in eternity past, in the incarnation, and in eternity future. Consider these texts:
Psalm 2:7-9 – 7 I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.”
The Son will bring wrath in the 2nd coming.
The Father's eternal purpose to put His Son in charge in two ways:
1. Exalted as Savior. Dying for the Sin of the World.
2. Judge over all. (2nd coming). Savior for Believers. Judge for non-believers.
The Son will bring wrath in the 2nd coming.
The Father's eternal purpose to put His Son in charge in two ways:
1. Exalted as Savior. Dying for the Sin of the World.
2. Judge over all. (2nd coming). Savior for Believers. Judge for non-believers.
John 8:28-29 – 28So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.”
The fact that "He has not left Me alone" is due to the fact that Jesus obeys.
The fact that "He has not left Me alone" is due to the fact that Jesus obeys.
John 8:42 – “. . . I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me.”
Stunning design that the Son would come into world; the Father put this into place.
In this is love... that HE (the Father) loved us, and gave His Son for us... (1John4:10)
Also, don't read into it any begrudging on the part of the Son.
God made Him who knew no sin.. (2 Corinth5:21) God had to place the punishment on the humanity of Jesus because the deity of Jesus knew no sin. Christ undertook the hardest thing that God could ask. Yet for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2), in joyful obedience, He obeyed.
In this is love... that HE (the Father) loved us, and gave His Son for us... (1John4:10)
Also, don't read into it any begrudging on the part of the Son.
God made Him who knew no sin.. (2 Corinth5:21) God had to place the punishment on the humanity of Jesus because the deity of Jesus knew no sin. Christ undertook the hardest thing that God could ask. Yet for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2), in joyful obedience, He obeyed.
1 Cor 15:25-28 – 25For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26The last enemy that will be abolished is death. 27For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
To the glory of the Father. Philippians 2:11.
To the glory of the Father. Philippians 2:11.
Hebrews 1:1-2 – 1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.
TAXIS. An ordering.
Father has primacy.
Son fulfills the will of the Father.
Spirit assists the Son.
TAXIS. An ordering.
Father has primacy.
Son fulfills the will of the Father.
Spirit assists the Son.
