CHRISTOLOGY

4/29/2020 Christology 2 Rubens, BJU Art Gallery 1

OFFICES OF CHRIST

• •

WHAT ARE THE OFFICES OF CHRIST?

PROPHET

,

PRIEST

with holy oil.” Calvin, ICR

,

KING

“Now it is to be noted that the title ‘Christ’ pertains to these three offices: for we know that under the law prophets as well as priests and kings were anointed , II,15,2 4/29/2020 Christology 2 2

OFFICES OF CHRIST: PROPHET

• The biblical idea of prophet is one who speaks on behalf of God: Ex. 4:15,16; 7:1, cf. Jer. 1:5,9. Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology , s.v. “Prophet.” – – This involves forth-telling most definitely (2/3 of OT prophetic activity, per Walter Kaiser in above noted article) May involve fore-telling (1/3 of OT prophetic activity) 4/29/2020 Christology 2 ATTRIBUTED TO RUTILIO MANETTI Christ Disputing with the Elders, c. 1628-29

BJU Art Gallery

3

OFFICES OF CHRIST: PROPHET

• • • • The Messiah would be a prophet, Deut. 18:18,19; cf. Acts 3:22f Jesus was recognized as prophet, John 4:19,25,26; cf. John 1:21 As prophet, he definitively declares to us the will of God, Heb. 1:1. See L.C.

#43 Other important Scriptures: Isaiah 9:6; 11:2-4; 61:1-3 (Luke 4:21); John 1:18; 3:34; I Peter 1:10,11. 4/29/2020 Christology 2 4

OFFICES OF CHRIST: PRIEST

• • As priest, he experiences our circumstances and redeems us from sin, offering himself a sacrifice sacrifice for sins (Jesus is both sacrificer and ), Heb. 9:25,28; 10:5-14. See L.C.

# 44 Other important Scriptures: Heb. 4:15-6; 5:8; 7:25; I John 2:1 4/29/2020 Christology 2 5

OFFICES OF CHRIST: PRIEST

• • • Biblical idea of priest- one who intercedes to God on behalf of man: Hebrews 5:1-4; Deut. 18:5; Ex. 29:20; Joel 2:17; Lev. 10:9-11; Micah 3:11; Deut. 17:9-13 Melchizedek was a type of Christ: Gen 14:18-20; Psalm 110:4; Heb. 7 Messiah would be a priest: Psalm 110:4; Heb. 5:5,6; Isa. 40:10,11; Zech. 6:9-15 4/29/2020 Christology 2 6

OFFICES OF CHRIST: KING

Judging as King, Sistine Chapel 4/29/2020 • • The biblical idea of king is one who reigns and exercises sovereign dominion: Gen 3:15; 17:5; 22:16,17; 49:9,10; I Peter 2:9; Rev. 1:5.

Messiah would be a King, Gen. 49:9,10; Psalm 24:7-10, 89; Isa. 9:7 Christology 2 7

OFFICES OF CHRIST: KING

• • As King, he rules over us and over our enemies till all are brought into submission, I Cor. 15:24-28. See #45 L.C.

Other important Scriptures: Matt. 28:18, “all authority is given to me in heaven and on earth.” Also, Acts 5:31; Rom. 8:28 4/29/2020 Christology 2 8

THE ATONEMENT: VIEWS

•

Classical Theory

– Associated with Gustav Aulen, Christus Victor – Christ’s atonement is a victory over the hostile forces arrayed against him • • • • • These are the “tyrants” which would bind man in sin Christ breaks the power of evil that enslaves mankind Aulen refers to Rom. 4:4, 7:9, 10:4; Gal.3:13; Col. 2:14 as key texts for this formulation Irenaeus (A.D. 175?) speaks of “Recapitulation” and Athanasius (A.D. 296-373) calls Christ “our representative” Theory is not problematic in what it asserts. It is not, however, a complete explanation of redemption.

4/29/2020 Christology 2 9

THE ATONEMENT: VIEWS

•

Ransom to Satan Theory

– Theory originated by Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-165) • • • • • Focused on the conquest of the devil in the work of redemption, ransom Elaborated further by Origen (A.D. 185-254), who also propounded the deification of man Based on the fact that Christ’s death is a ransom, and that he delivered us from Satan Theory assumes that Satan has some power or judicial standing that is not consistent with the biblical description of his role and authority “Buying back” is central to the biblical notion of redemption.

4/29/2020 Christology 2 10

THE ATONEMENT: VIEWS

•

Commercial (Satisfaction) Theory

– Theory originated by Anselm (A.D. 1033-1109) in an attempt to respond to Origen’s view • Introduced the word satisfactio into theological discussion • • The theory is worked out in Anselm’s book, Cur Deus Homo According to Anselm, operating out of his feudal culture, we owe God either obedience or death • • • Christ was obedient, but he also died; thus, he paid twice He is, therefore, able to apply credit to our standing This theory tends to neglect the teaching that Christ’s active obedience is imputed to us also 4/29/2020 Christology 2 11

THE ATONEMENT: VIEWS

• Example Theory (Martyr Theory) – Theory proposed by Peter Abelard (A.D. 1079-1142) • “It is evident that all this was done in order that he might show how great love he had for men, and so inflame them to greater love in return.” Epitome , 25 • View commonly held by Socinians and Unitarians • • • • • Subjective sinfulness the only barrier between God and man God does not need to be reconciled; instead, man is in need of reconciliation Theory keys on the idea that God initiates reconciliation Death of Christ influences us to turn from our sins Problem: this theory takes an element of truth and expands it to the whole truth. That man needs reconciliation is true- but not as important as fact that God needs to be reconciled 4/29/2020 Christology 2 12

THE ATONEMENT: VIEWS

•

Governmental Theory

– Theory was introduced by Hugo Grotius, a Dutch lawyer, A.D. 1583-1645 • Theory keyed on Isaiah 42:21 which speaks of God’s law • • • To forgive sinners without anything being done would negatively affect God’s government Therefore, God punished Christ to show he is serious about sin Christ is used as an example and the cross does not constitute a full payment of sin. Instead, a relaxation of the penalty occurs • The theory holds to idea of substitution, but not equitable substitution; it leads to questions about God’s justice 4/29/2020 Christology 2 13

THE ATONEMENT: VIEWS

•

Moral Influence Theory

– Proponents of this theory: Horace Bushnell (A.D. 1802-1876), F.D.E.Schleiermacher (A.D. 1768-1834), and Albrecht Ritschl (A.D. 1822-1889) • No principle in the divine nature propitiated by Christ’s work • • • • • Instead, the death of Christ displays God’s love for man This shames men to turn from sin and repent The purpose of the atonement was not to satisfy divine justice, but to reveal divine love Christ is not only an exemplar, but a power of righteousness who has entered into human life and revealed God to us The problem with this theory is that it takes an element of truth and expands it to become the whole truth 4/29/2020 Christology 2 14

THE ATONEMENT

•

Vicarious, Substitutionary Atonement: Satisfaction

– Christ was the Second Adam • He fulfilled the Covenant, Active Obedience (Rom 5:19)- positively keeping the law • He atoned for Covenant-breaking, Passive Obedience (II Cor. 5:20, 21)- vicariously suffering the penalty of law-breaking 4/29/2020 Christology 2 15

THE ATONEMENT

“We must avoid the mistake of thinking that the active applies to the obedience of his life and the passive to the obedience of his final sufferings and death. The real use and purpose of the formula is to emphasize the two distinct aspects of our Lord’s vicarious obedience. The truth expressed rests upon the recognition that the law of God has both penal sanctions and positive demands. It demands not only the full discharge of its precepts but also the infliction of penalty for all infractions and shortcomings. passive obedience of Christ.

It is this twofold demand of the law of God which is taken into account when we speak of the active and Christ as the vicar of his people came under the curse and condemnation due to sin and he also fulfilled the law of God in all its positive requirements. In other words, he took care of the guilt of sin and perfectly fulfilled the demands of righteousness. He perfectly met both the penal and the preceptive requirements of God’s law.” Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied , 22-23 4/29/2020 Christology 2 16

ATONEMENT

• New Testament Language –

REDEMPTION

 lutron , (ransom)……Matt. 20:28, Mark 10:45; I Tim. 2:6; Heb. 9:15    lutrosin , (redemption).….Luke 2:38; Rom. 3:24; 8:23; I Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:7; 14; 4:30 lutrwthn , (redeemer)……Acts 7:35 lutrousqai, ……Luke 24:21 (buy back from the slave market of sin); Gal. 4:5; Titus 2:14 –

SACRIFICE

 qusia s , ……Heb. 9:26 4/29/2020 Christology 2 17

ATONEMENT

• New Testament Language –

PROPITIATION

• ‘ ilasmo s ,……I John 2:2 • • ‘ ilasqhti ,….Luke 18:13; Heb. 2:17 (be propitious, make propitiation) ‘ ilasthrion , ……Romans 3:25 (atoning sacrifice) –

RECONCILIATION

 katallassw , … Rom 5:10; I Cor. 7:11, II Cor. 5:18-20 (reconcile)  katallagh , …………….Rom. 5:11; 11:15; II Cor. 5:19. He humbled himself, see Phil. 2:7, 8: Kenosis “He laid aside the divine majesty, the majesty of the sovereign Ruler of the universe, and assumed human nature in the form of a servant.” Berkhof, ST , 332.

4/29/2020 Christology 2 18

PENAL SUBSTITUTION

• • • • • • •

The sufferings of Christ were not a substitute for the penalty of the law, but they are the penalty inflicted upon the substitute It was not a pecuniary quid pro quo, but it was strictly a penal substitution It was not [simply] an example of punishment It was not [simply] an exhibition of love or other sentiment The guilt, or legal responsibility (not the depravity or corruption) of our sin was imputed to him He suffered precisely the suffering that divine justice demanded he suffer in our stead His sufferings were those of a divine person in a human nature (A.A. Hodge, The Atonement )

4/29/2020 Christology 2 19

CHRISTOLOGY

4/29/2020 Christology 2 Rubens, BJU Art Gallery 20