JesusJesus

© Karen Devine 2008

Human and Human and DivineDivine

The TrinityThe Trinity

Death and Death and ResurrectionResurrection

Jesus: Human and DivineJesus: Human and Divine

Christians believe that:Christians believe that: Jesus was both fully human and fully divine.Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. Jesus was the son of God and human. Jesus was the son of God and human. All humans are created in the image of God.All humans are created in the image of God. The incarnation of Jesus as a human was an The incarnation of Jesus as a human was an

act of love from God for humanity.act of love from God for humanity. Jesus was born to a human woman and died Jesus was born to a human woman and died

as a human being.as a human being. Jesus is part of the trinity.Jesus is part of the trinity. The 3 “persons” in the trinity are eternal.The 3 “persons” in the trinity are eternal.

Jesus: Human and DivineJesus: Human and Divine

Jesus is God and Jesus is God and therefore has the power therefore has the power to defeat evil. to defeat evil.

He is the archetype for He is the archetype for human behaviour.human behaviour.

Jesus’ humanity shows Jesus’ humanity shows the interrelatedness the interrelatedness between God and between God and humans. humans.

Jesus is true revelation. Jesus is true revelation. He is revealed as God.He is revealed as God.

The TrinityThe Trinity Christianity is a Christianity is a

monotheisticmonotheistic religion. religion. Monotheism reflects Monotheism reflects

Christianity’s Jewish Christianity’s Jewish roots.roots.

The trinity is a belief that The trinity is a belief that Jesus was both human Jesus was both human and God. He was God and God. He was God incarnate. incarnate.

The trinity is not a biblical The trinity is not a biblical concept, but was probably concept, but was probably first used by Tertullian in first used by Tertullian in the 2nd Century.the 2nd Century.

The TrinityThe Trinity There is a “threeness” to God- father, There is a “threeness” to God- father,

son and spirit. All aspects are unique, son and spirit. All aspects are unique, equal and eternal.equal and eternal.

The 3 aspects are distinct, but they are The 3 aspects are distinct, but they are NOT 3 gods.NOT 3 gods.

There are 3 persons but only one divine There are 3 persons but only one divine being. They dwell in each other being. They dwell in each other ((circumincessioncircumincession).).

The Christian teaching is that the trinity The Christian teaching is that the trinity is a mystery never to be understood by is a mystery never to be understood by humans in their lifetime.humans in their lifetime.

Over the centuries there have been Over the centuries there have been many attempts to understand the trinity. many attempts to understand the trinity. (Especially by Augustine of Hippo)(Especially by Augustine of Hippo)

Jesus’ MinistryJesus’ Ministry Jesus had a ministry Jesus had a ministry

involving him wandering involving him wandering around the countryside. around the countryside. His ministry lasted for 3 His ministry lasted for 3 years.years.

He eventually ends up in He eventually ends up in Jerusalem.Jerusalem.

He is arrested.He is arrested. He is brought before He is brought before

Pontius Pilate, the Pontius Pilate, the Emperor’s Procurator in Emperor’s Procurator in Jerusalem and he Jerusalem and he imposes a death imposes a death sentence.sentence.

Jesus’ deathJesus’ death

Historians such as Josephus, have chronicled Historians such as Josephus, have chronicled that Jesus was executed via crucifixion.that Jesus was executed via crucifixion.

This death penalty was typically used by the This death penalty was typically used by the Romans for the crimes of insurrection and Romans for the crimes of insurrection and sedition.sedition.

Jesus’ deathJesus’ death

After interrogation After interrogation by Pontius Pilate (the by Pontius Pilate (the Roman Procurator) Roman Procurator) Jesus was sent to Jesus was sent to Golgotha (Golgotha (the Hill of the Hill of the Skullsthe Skulls) and ) and executed alongside executed alongside two other criminals.two other criminals.

Both Jews and Both Jews and Romans had reasons Romans had reasons for wanting him for wanting him dead.dead.

The ResurrectionThe Resurrection For Christians the For Christians the

suffering suffering experienced in experienced in Jesus’ life is Jesus’ life is overcome by a overcome by a resurrection and a resurrection and a reunion with God. reunion with God.

Christians see that Christians see that each believer will each believer will one day also be one day also be reunited with God reunited with God in the same way.in the same way.

The ResurrectionThe Resurrection

The implication is: the The implication is: the human person will be human person will be transformed beyond transformed beyond death. death.

The resurrection is not The resurrection is not a historical event but a a historical event but a faith based event. faith based event.

There remains much There remains much theological discussion theological discussion about it. about it.

The ResurrectionThe Resurrection

The essence of the The essence of the resurrection is that Jesus resurrection is that Jesus conquered death and rose conquered death and rose bodily from the grave and bodily from the grave and returned to God. returned to God.

Yet, his body is spiritual Yet, his body is spiritual and not necessarily the and not necessarily the same as it was on earth. same as it was on earth.

The various Christian The various Christian denominations see the denominations see the resurrection as either resurrection as either bodily or spiritual. bodily or spiritual.

Question TimeQuestion Time

Which aspects of Which aspects of the nature of the nature of Jesus are Jesus are matters of fact matters of fact and which are and which are matters of faith?matters of faith?