As we have debated the doctrine of Trinity doctrine over the past few years, so now I think we are about to enter a time of renewed debate about Christology. The reason is twofold. First, we have forgotten about theological anthropology whose language provides the linguistic and metaphysical framework for the incarnation. Second, we have underappreciated doctrines like immutability and impassibility, which stand at the very heart of Christ’s identity (and thus the Gospel).
I will explain what I mean in more detail below, but in short Christology has lost its twofold basis. And with such loss, almost every other doctrine of Christianity suffers because such doctrines require Christology to make sense.
Many Christians no longer affirm the key to classical Christology doctrine, namely, that the infinite, immutable, impassible one unites to finite, mutable, and passible humanity. Some Christians even affirm neo-apollinarianism. And rarely do churches proclaim Christology from the pulpit (at least in its more theological form).
So I think it is worth remembering some of the patterns of theological and scriptural thinking that Christians have used over the years. If we remember the past, we might just overcome the looming civil war that is coming on the horizon. [Read more…] about A Guidebook for the Coming Christological Civil War
