The Christology Debate

There are two views in the Christology debate; the Classical view and the Kenotic view. The Classical and Kenotic view agree that Jesus Christ was both fully human and fully God. The Kenotic view however suggests that Jesus laid aside his divine attributes when he became fully human while the Classical view suggests that he had both human and divine attributes while here on earth. Both stances are equally difficult to argue; it seems that the only reason favorability could be found in either of the two viewpoints is because one is more widely accepted due to tradition. Though the Classical view is more “favorable” I will be supporting the Kenotic view.

When Jesus came to earth, he “emptied himself” and gave up his divine attributes. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8) Jesus as fully human was still fully God, he just left his omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence in heaven along with God the father and God the Holy Spirit.

The Classical view claims that Jesus uses his divine power all throughout the Gospel. One such example would be a claim for Jesus using an omniscient mind when meeting Nathanael. Upon meeting him Jesus declared “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” The Classical view claims this to be supernatural knowledge, I however say, this is discernment at it best and truest form. Jesus is one with God, Jesus is God, so he is 100% faithful. He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20) Jesus’ faith was unlike that of any other human being. He had full 100% faith in God, himself; therefore his “gifts of the spirit” (such as discernment) were at their full potential.

The Classical view also says Jesus’ prediction of Judas’ and Peter’s future betrayal, and others things like a prediction of coin for tax to be paid that would be found in the mouth of a fish, is evidence for Jesus’ Omniscient mind. It was not Jesus who knew these things, it was the father. “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.” (John 14:24) Did you see that? Jesus told his disciples that the words he told them were not his own but, rather, they are the father’s words, the one who sent him. Obviously God was speaking through Jesus; so, why would anyone assume that Jesus’ predictions of Judas’ and Peter’s future betrayals where actually from Jesus’ own knowledge? God spoke through Jesus. Jesus and God are one; therefore, Jesus spoke the father’s words. It’s really not that difficult to understand. In fact what I just suggested makes a lot more sense than Jesus having two minds and two natures and somehow being one person, fully human and fully God. The Classical view is unnecessarily complex.

I want to further add that the claim against the Kenotic view to be “inconsistent” is itself inconsistent. The Classical view argues that the bible suggests that Jesus remained in his human nature even after he ascended; seeing that Christ remained human after his ascension, can the Kinetic view allow for a post-ascended human God? Yes it can. With the very same excuse the Classical view uses to allow Jesus to have divine attributes and still be human. When Christ came to earth, he emptied himself of divine attributes. He then lived his life out by God working through him and speaking through him. “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves” (John 14:10-11). Then he ascended to heaven keeping his human body, where he then reunited with his divine attributes. Planet earth has limits, rules and boundaries; Jesus did not have two minds and two natures while he was here on earth, he gave those up when he emptied himself. (Philippians 2:5-8) It was not until he returned to heaven that he regained his divine attributes and thus living in the heavenly realms with two minds and two nature as fully human and fully God.

There are several more items up for debate about this issue but, for the sake of avoiding mental exhaustion I shall consider this enough. In conclusion, the Classical view and the Kenotic view both face several difficulties. The Kenotic view faces rejection with the majority favoring the Classical view; it also shares difficulty with the Classical view in the “Jesus as fully human and fully God issue.” The Classical view faces ridicule from those with the Kenotic view due to lack of reason and good support for their belief, as well as the shared issue of Jesus being fully human and fully God. All in all, I support a Kenotic view. I believe it is more reasonable, it is just as biblical if not more than the Classical view and, the Kenotic view is more capable of being understood and accepted by those of other religions.


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