chapter 7: the church knows jesus by many names ©ave maria press
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Chapter 7:Chapter 7:The Church Knows The Church Knows
Jesus by Many Jesus by Many Names Names ©Ave Maria Press
Knowing What Knowing What the Words Meanthe Words Mean
Words may mean different things
at different points in history and in different
contexts.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
21st Century English Translation: awful = awe inspiring amusing = amazing artificial = artistic
It is awful; it is amusing; it is
artificial.
It is even more essential that we It is even more essential that we understand the words applied to understand the words applied to
Jesus Christ in Scripture.Jesus Christ in Scripture.
Understanding the context of the Scriptures allows us a deeper union
with Jesus Christ.
Gospel Words Gospel Words to Describe to Describe
JesusJesusWho is
Jesus Christ?
The branch of theology that The branch of theology that attempts to answer this question is attempts to answer this question is
ChristologyChristology..
Christology studies the nature, Person, and works of
Jesus.
Who is Jesus?Who is Jesus?
How can he be both How can he be both human and divine?human and divine?
What does it mean to What does it mean to call him the Son of God?call him the Son of God?
There are many titles applied to Jesus There are many titles applied to Jesus in the New Testament. Some of in the New Testament. Some of these, we examined in previous these, we examined in previous
chapters:chapters:Emmanuel – “God with us”
The Word of God – Who always existed with God and
is God
Son of God – Begotten, not made
Son of Man – Both human and divine, and will issue in God’s
Kingdom
I AM – God
Rabbi
A rabbi is a highly respected teacher of
Jewish law or theology. Jesus is
called “rabbi” fourteen times in the New Testament. We can tell from this,
that he was respected and
admired.
Other titles—or names—forOther titles—or names—for Jesus Jesus give us even more insight into give us even more insight into
the Person of Christ.the Person of Christ.
Other titles—or names—forOther titles—or names—for Jesus Jesus give us even more insight into give us even more insight into
the Person of Christ.the Person of Christ.
Christ
One of the most important titles
given to Jesus. It comes from the
Greek translation of the Hebrew messiah, which means Jesus is anointed, or
chosen.
Contemporaries of Jesus had many different ideas about what the Messiah
would be. Some, like the Zealots, expected that he would be a military leader
to throw off the Roman occupation. The Essenes
expected him to be a priestly ruler who would
reform worship in Jerusalem. Still others thought he would be a
prophetic figure bringing moral reform.
None of these people expected the Messiah to be the actual Son of God. What Jesus tells us about his role as
Messiah is that he will be the Son of Man,
who will come in glory at the end of time – but that he is also a
Suffering Servant. The Messiah will sacrifice his very life for his
people.
Prophet
One way to think of prophets is that they
predict the future.
Jesus did make prophecies that were later fulfilled, like his prediction about the
destruction of the Temple.
A prophet is also a person who represents God.
Prophets are sent by God, to speak his message and
perform works on his behalf. Many recognized
Jesus as this kind of prophet.
As Jesus said, “I came into this world to testify to the
truth.”
Other titles—or names—for Jesus Other titles—or names—for Jesus give us even more insight into give us even more insight into
the Person of Christ.the Person of Christ.
Priest
One definition of a priest is a mediator between
God and humanity. It is this role of a priest that Jesus performs when he bridges the gap between
God and us, by sacrificing himself for our sins. He continues
to do this in each celebration of the
Eucharist.
Other titles—or names—forOther titles—or names—for Jesus Jesus give us even more insight into give us even more insight into
the Person of Christ.the Person of Christ.
King
Jesus was called “king” by the Magi who visited him after his birth. He was
also charged by Pontius Pilate with making himself king of the Jews. For this
he was sentenced to death. Jesus was not the
king the people expected, but he is, indeed the King
of Kings.
Other titles—or names—forOther titles—or names—for Jesus Jesus give us even more insight into give us even more insight into
the Person of Christ.the Person of Christ.
Lamb of God
In the Old Testament, the lamb sacrificed at
Passover was a symbol of salvation and
freedom from slavery.
Jesus gave up his life for the redemption of
humanity, and became the sacrificial lamb of the New Testament.
Other titles—or names—forOther titles—or names—for Jesus Jesus give us even more insight into give us even more insight into
the Person of Christ.the Person of Christ.
Savior
Jesus’ own name means “God saves.”
This is most appropriate, for Jesus
embodies the meaning of the word
savior—“one who protects or saves from
present or future danger.”
Other titles—or names—forOther titles—or names—for Jesus Jesus give us even more insight into give us even more insight into
the Person of Christ.the Person of Christ.
Lord
When Jesus lived on earth, people used the term “Lord” to
refer to a ruler, other powerful
person, or as an address similar to
“sir.”
When Christians use the term “Lord” for Jesus,
however, we are translating the Greek
kurios, which is, in turn, a translation of the Hebrew Adonai—the
word the Jews used in place of the most holy name of God (YHWH).
So in calling Jesus “Lord,” we are stating boldly that he is God.
Other titles—or names—forOther titles—or names—for Jesus Jesus give us even more insight into give us even more insight into
the Person of Christ.the Person of Christ.
Christian Christian Symbols Symbols
Teach about Teach about JesusJesus
As external signs of another reality, various
Christian symbols can help us to understand Christ
better. Through the centuries symbols rooted in
Scriptural quotes have been used in religious art to help Christians grasp important truths about
Jesus.
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus tells us that he is
the “Alpha and the Omega,” which are
the first and last letters of the Greek
alphabet. This conveys that Jesus is
the beginning and the completion of all
history.
Alpha and OmegaAlpha and Omega
The Roman authorities posted the crime of those being crucified on their cross for all to see. In Palestine, they affixed
signs in three languages—Hebrew, Latin, and
Greek; so that everyone would be able to read
them. The sign on Jesus’ cross said, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” I.N.R.I is the abbreviation for the
Latin, Iesus Nazarenus Rex
Iudeorum.
The cross with the accompanying Greek letters conveys that
Jesus has conquered sin and death. IC are the
first and last letters of the Greek word for Jesus; XC are the first and last
letters of the Greek word for Christ; and NIKA is
the Greek word that means “to conquer.”
Jesus Christ the ConquerorJesus Christ the Conqueror
Chi (X) and Rho (P) are the first two
letters of the Greek word for Christ:
Χριστος. This familiar symbol for Jesus
identifies him as the Messiah.
Chi-RhoChi-Rho
The fish becomes a symbol for Christ and for Christians because of the
anagram for the first letters of the words in a short creed: “Jesus Christ Son of God Savior.” In Greek: Ιησους
Χριστος Θηου Υιος Σωτηρ. The Greek word ІΧΘΥΣ means “fish.”
FishFish
IHS are the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek: Ιησους.
IHSIHS
Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the
sins of the world. With his
passion and death, he made
himself the perfect sacrifice
to redeem us from our sins.
LambLamb
Church Councils Church Councils Clarified Clarified
Teachings Teachings about Jesusabout Jesus
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the
Church issues statements about our beliefs so that they remain true to what
has been handed down to us by the
Apostles.
These false teachings are called
heresies. When people developed
mistaken ideas about Jesus, causing
a heresy to circulate, the Church had to clarify what
Catholics should believe by issuing clear statements.
Early in its history, the Church Early in its history, the Church had to respond to beliefs that had to respond to beliefs that
were not consistent with the true were not consistent with the true faith handed down by the faith handed down by the
Apostles.Apostles.
These were important bishops, theologians, teachers, and scholars
whose writings have greatly contributed to Church doctrine and practice.
During the first five centuries of During the first five centuries of Christianity, the Christianity, the Church FathersChurch Fathers helped clarify Church teaching helped clarify Church teaching
about Jesus and the Trinity.about Jesus and the Trinity.
St. Irenaeus St. Athanasius St. Cyril of St. Leo Alexandria the Great
The heresy of Docetism held that The heresy of Docetism held that Jesus only Jesus only appearedappeared to be human. to be human. This belief was a form of Gnosticism, This belief was a form of Gnosticism, which claims that Jesus shared a which claims that Jesus shared a secret knowledge with only a few secret knowledge with only a few close friends. Gnostics denied Jesus’ close friends. Gnostics denied Jesus’ humanity and therefore his humanity and therefore his Resurrection.Resurrection.
Is Jesus really human?Is Jesus really human?
The Gospel of John answered Docetism by telling us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.St. Irenaeus defended orthodoxy (true and established teaching) against Gnostic beliefs in his book Against Heresies.
ArianismArianism became a dangerous heresy in the became a dangerous heresy in the Third Century AD. Its originator, Arius, taught Third Century AD. Its originator, Arius, taught
that Jesus was not God, but only the greatest of that Jesus was not God, but only the greatest of creatures, whom God creatures, whom God adoptedadopted as his son. as his son.
Is Jesus really God?Is Jesus really God?
This false belief threatened the unity of the Christian faith, and
was vigorously combated by St. Athanasius and
other Church leaders at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. Arianism was
condemned as a heresy at the council, and the
Nicene Creed was issued, which details the most
essential beliefs of orthodox Christianity.
Is Jesus really God?Is Jesus really God?
The teaching of St. Athanasius and the
fathers of the Council of Nicaea was upheld
at the second ecumenical council—at Constantinople in AD 381. Because of the
leadership of St. Athanasius in
defending the true teaching of
Christianity, he is called the “Father of
Orthodoxy” (true teaching).
How many persons are in How many persons are in Christ?Christ?
St. Cyril of Alexandria defended the truth of Mary’s
title as Theotokos— Greek for “God-bearer.” More
importantly, this meant that Christ is one person with two
natures—both human and divine. St. Cyril’s position was
upheld at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, and
Nestorianism was denounced as heresy.
Another problem arose when Nestorius, the Another problem arose when Nestorius, the patriarch of Constantinople, taught that there patriarch of Constantinople, taught that there were two persons in Jesus—one human and the were two persons in Jesus—one human and the other divine. other divine. NestorianismNestorianism also said that Mary also said that Mary was only the mother of the human Jesus, and was only the mother of the human Jesus, and
should, therefore, not be called the “Mother of should, therefore, not be called the “Mother of God.”God.”
How many natures are in How many natures are in Christ?Christ?
Pope St. Leo the Great corrected this heresy, saying
that Jesus is one Divine Person with two natures –
both human and divine. His teaching was confirmed at
the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), and the Second and
Third Councils of Constantinople (AD 553 and
680).
Another heretic, Eutyches, said that the Another heretic, Eutyches, said that the divine nature of Jesus completely swallowed divine nature of Jesus completely swallowed up his human nature—so Jesus only had one up his human nature—so Jesus only had one
nature, which is divine. This is called nature, which is divine. This is called MonophysitismMonophysitism..
Your text presents twelve of the dogmatic Your text presents twelve of the dogmatic teachings about Jesus from the early teachings about Jesus from the early ecumenical councils. These three are ecumenical councils. These three are
among the most important: among the most important:
Jesus is consubstantial with the Father. He is divine. (Nicaea, AD 325)
Mary is truly the Mother of God – Theotokos. (Ephesus, AD 431)
Jesus is one divine Person with two natures; human and divine. (Chalcedon, AD 451)
The Nicene Creed The Nicene Creed Summarizes Summarizes Beliefs about Beliefs about
JesusJesusOur creed—written at Nicaea in AD 325—was
endorsed and expanded at the First Council of Constantinople (AD
381).
It contains the essentials of the Christian faith.
The Nicene Creed (or Niceno-The Nicene Creed (or Niceno-Constantinopalitan Creed) was Constantinopalitan Creed) was
originally formulated to address originally formulated to address the heresy of Arianism. the heresy of Arianism.
In answering heresy, it effectively
summarizes the Christian faith.
The Creed focuses on belief about Jesus Christ, the Blessed
Trinity, and the Catholic Church.
The Nicene Creed begins The Nicene Creed begins describing God with the first describing God with the first
Person of the Trinity. Person of the Trinity.
He is the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
The Creed continues with our The Creed continues with our beliefs about the Son of God. beliefs about the Son of God.
Jesus Christ is Lord. The only Son of God—
eternally begotten of the Father, God
from God, Light from Light, true God from true
God. Through him all things were
made.
The Creed then proclaims our The Creed then proclaims our belief in the third Person of the belief in the third Person of the
Blessed Trinity. Blessed Trinity.
The Holy Spirit is the Lord, the giver
of life, who proceeds from the
Father and the Son. With the Father and the
Son, he is worshiped and
glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.
The Nicene Creed also puts The Nicene Creed also puts forth the other essential forth the other essential
beliefs of our Christian faith.beliefs of our Christian faith.
It details the important events
in the life of Christ, such as his virgin birth, his crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension into heaven.
The Nicene Creed also puts The Nicene Creed also puts forth the other essential forth the other essential
beliefs of our Christian faith.beliefs of our Christian faith.
It proclaims our belief in the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
The Nicene Creed also puts The Nicene Creed also puts forth the other essential forth the other essential
beliefs of our Christian faith.beliefs of our Christian faith.
And it proclaims our faith in one baptism
which God gives us for the forgiveness of our
sins, that we may experience the
resurrection of the body and everlasting life in the fullness of God’s
Kingdom—the world to come.
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