A little blog from an upstart theologian that will do its best to exemplify Christ while sharing a thing or two along the way.
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| Preachin's Blog A little blog from an upstart theologian that will do its best to exemplify Christ while sharing a thing or two along the way. |
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Friday, June 18, 2004 Christology at the centerI have been reading some on Christology lately. Particularly I have been working through the pages of Veli-Matti Karkkainen's Christology: A Global Introduction. This is an excellent text for one who wishes to approach this theological conversation, even if they are rather uninformed about the topic. Now do note that there is a reasonable level of scholastic acumen in order to get some of the more sublime points of the text, though this is nothing over the head of someone interested in this topic. Now enough rambling, to the topic at hand. Theology is not some static venture wherein we examine the details and positions from an unengaged perspective. Theology is a dynamic and transcendent venture that we are able to participate in to see the revelation of God in our lives. The great 20th century Christian theologian Karl Barth has said that Christology is the integrating focus of all theology. I rather agree with him about this statement. Since Jesus Christ is the ultimate creation and the centerpiece for all humanity it would follow that all theology should be understood Christologically. As we engage theology Christology is to be our starting point, and our indefinite reference point. Through Christology we better understand ecclesiology, for since Christ has a Bride we must understand her through Christ. Anthropology, Christ is the ultimate representation of what it means to be human thus through comprehending Christ we can better see how we mortal humans are to act. Our hamartiology is seen through the sinlessness of Christ. Certainly the matter of soteriology is found in the substitutionary atonement which Christ provided. As we investigate our eschatology, we should do so fully acknowledging and reflecting on the promise that is Christ and the hope found within Him. The future hope of Christ's immanent return is our motivating factor in all our endeavors in Christianity. Certainly with a Christological focus we can better see that hope. Of the many other theological categories out there still starting with Christ as our reference we can find truth and more coherency in our doctrine. One of the great problems of many contemporary, and even 20th century theologians is the reference point was not place with Christ first. Rather that reference point was found in humanism or some vain philosophical situation which corrupted the end result. Approaching Christology, be it from above or below, must be done first before any other theological system is explored. Without the person and activity of Christ throughout human history, and without His preexistence prior to creation, this whole existence would be moot. Our history is truly His Story and moreso our theology should be about ascribing to Him to proper glory and honor due His name. If theology is to continue to produce credible and edifying claims the first concern of any theologian should be to understand and investigate Christology. posted by Preachin Jesus | 8:37 AM | |
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