Christology
Theses A and B below represent the complementary pair, Unity and Diversity, as
they apply to the doctrine of the two natures of Christ. The
upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without
contradiction. The lower theses, -B and -A, represent exaggerations
of A and B respectively that are commonly stated. Click the 'more'
links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three
complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows.
Overview of this dialogic diagram.
Also see 3-D Overview.
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![[L arrow]](L_ARROW.GIF)
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Unity and Diversity
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![[R arrow]](R_ARROW.GIF)
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A: Unity: The
two natures of Christ are
united in one Personality,
as the Bible teaches.
more
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B: Diversity: Christ has two
natures, divine and human, before and
after the Incarnation.
more
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-B: Exaggeration of Unity: The body of
Christ had one nature, taking on the divine
character after the Incarnation. He only seemed to be
human (Docetists, Apollinarians).
more
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-A: Exaggeration of
diversity: Christ was two separate persons, or two
souls.
more
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Christology
Theses B and C below represent the complementary pair, Diversity and Equality,
as they apply to the doctrine of the two natures of Christ. The
upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without
contradiction. The lower theses, -C and -B, represent exaggerations
of B and C respectively that are commonly heard. Click the 'more'
links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three
complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows.
Overview of this dialogic diagram
Also see 3-D Overview
|
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Diversity and Equality
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B: Diversity: The two
natures of Christ are distinct; the Creator/ creature distinction is
absolute.
more
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C: Equality:
The two natures of Christ are equally real and important
for our salvation.
more
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-C: Exaggeration of
diversity: one of the natures
is real and the other is an illusion. "What is
not assumed (by Christ) is not healed."
more
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-B: Exaggeration of equality leads to
an absolute monism, in which everything is divine and there is
no difference between Creature and creator.
more
|
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Return to Introduction
Christology
Theses C and A below represent the complementary pair, Equality and Unity,
as they apply to the doctrine of the two natures of Christ. The
upper theses offer a moderate synthesis that can be affirmed without
contradiction. The lower theses, -A and -C, represent exaggerations
of C and A respectively that are commonly heard. Click the 'more'
links for more details on each of the views. This is one of three
complementary pairs linked by the left and right arrows.
Overview of this dialogic diagram
Also see 3-D Overview
|
|
Equality and Unity
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C:
Equality: Christ the God-man was born of the Virgin Mary with
both a truly divine and truly human
nature.
more
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A: Unity: Christ exists as one Person,
of two natures united before and after the Incarnation, as
the Bible teaches.
more |
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-A: Exaggeration of
equality leads to a separation of
two wills within one body, not an essential union
(Nestorians, Ebionites, Dynamic Montanists).
more
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-C: Exaggeration of unity
leads to an overlap or blending of two natures
into one (Monothelites, Monophysites).
more
|
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Return to Introduction