In the flow of Christology there were different trends which influenced the growth of this theological teaching. The historical data provide hot discussions among not just philosophers but hole philosophical schools. Thus, Gnostics outlined that Jesus was not material creature (McMahon 123). However, the humanity of Jesus was spread among believers. The notion of the divine bilateral relation of Christ to spiritual and material worlds is understood today, as the metaphor which explains the range of wonders which He made. The power of word (logos) and the power of spirit characterize Jesus one being of the Father and related to humanity as well.
Among three major soteriological models of Christology it is vital to mention Prophetic, Sacrificial, and Penal Substitution. In this respect Prophetic model admits that God uses events and people for making historical changes in order to save righteous and judge wicked people (McMahon 173). The advantage of it is emphasis on sin and death; limitation – lack of moral constituent. Sacrificial model designates the role of sacrifice of Jesus and his blood as the symbol of forgiveness (McMahon 173). Advantage is the provision of continuity of Covenants between people and God. Weakness lies in lack of information about ministry of Jesus. Penal Substitution admits that death of Christ is a substitution of peoples’ death (McMahon 173). It highlights the complete character of God’s salvation, but the role of conversion is unclear (McMahon 173). Sacrificial model best fits the provision of message about salvation in 2009, because of the direct and slight approach of it for contemporary busy and nervous people.
Christological ideas are as follows: humility, goodness, purity of mind, loving Jesus above all, appreciation of God’s grace and significance of Holy Cross (Kempis 7). Hence, they support all points admitted by Jesus for all who follow Him. These are the main ideas in Christology which serve to be the so-called road to understanding the mission of Christ. Soteriological idea is the salvation of God’s people. It is a point of how Jesus designates righteous from wicked in the entire life.
Jesus saves everyone who is sincere in this issue. He is expressed as the Son of God, as the beginning and the end, as the path, life, and truth etc. These interpretations of who is Jesus give ground for understanding of how He saves. In fact, it is the issue of faith, but most of preachers say that some kind of revelation should come to a man’s consciousness.
James Cone represents an assumption which is deeply based on the ethnical and racial problems of American society (Burrow 35). In this respect the position of Christopher McMahon relies on the description of Jesus, as significant for everyone in the world. Moreover, this assertion is emphasized with the fact that Jesus appeared to serve first for Jews, and then the New Testament gives the way for all nations. Thus, there is no difference about the issue of color of skin.
Exclusivism, Inclusivism, and Pluralism are three responses to the idea of Christian pluralism (McMahon 216). The first states the significance of the church and that without Christ a man definitely dies. The second notes the priority of Christianity, but outlines also the similarities in description of true values for humanity. The third approach mentions the theocentric approach in all religions along with Christianity.
Works cited
Burrow, Rufus. James H. Cone and Black Liberation Theology. Tacoma, WA: McFarland, 2001.
Kempis, Thomas A. The Imitation of Christ. Milwaukee: The Bruce Publishing Company, 2001.
McMahon, Christopher. Jesus Our Salvation: An Introduction to Christology. Winona, Minnesota: Saint Mary’s Press, 2007.