In the Pews: What does it mean to say Jesus is divine?
Our question this week comes from one of our viewers who wants to know what it means to say that Jesus is divine. It is a question that has been an issue to articulate from the very authoring of the gospels as we know them today. Since the gospels were written after, and not during, the ministry of Jesus they respond to how the early Christians were dealing with the issue of Jesus being fully human and yet fully divine.
It is this issue, understanding the meaning of the divinity of Jesus, that caused the first "schism" in the Church. It happened at the Council of Ephesus in 431 and in 2010 we're still in dialogue about what it means to say Jesus is divine. It's a great question and a great conversation to join. Tune in this week and next to hear more!
Darcy Crain-Polly is the associate minister at the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor.
Comments
W. Vida
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:42 p.m.
The historic Christian faith has always taught that Jesus was fully God. Jesus was coequal to the Father and the Holy Ghost. He was the second person in the Trinity. The Bible says that he was Immanuel which means, "God with us." (Matthew 1:23). Some scholars have argued that these Trinitarian notions are later philosophical projections placed back on the Bible. But recent scholarship has shown that the Bible really portrays Jesus as fully divine. For example, here is an essay by a New Testament scholar who has taught at Oxford and Cambridge (and is now at St Andrews in Scotland): http://www.ntwrightpage.com/Wright_JIG.htm I highly recommend it.
Ahmed Chaudhry
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 11:47 p.m.
Darcy, I'd like to say that I have enjoyed reading and watching your 'In the Pews' series on these subjects including this particular one. I find it helps me understand Christianity on a more personal level as a someone that is not Christian. As for all the critics that have commented so far, I think you have to ask yourselves an important question: are you bringing up legitimate concerns or are you simply trying to light a fire and start a debate just for kicks? Maybe explore the faith section of AnnArbor.com a little more before leveling judgments on what I think is a very insightful piece of theological discourse.
treetowncartel
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 3:31 p.m.
Perhaps someone from the Scientology persuasion could author a letter concerning their divinity.
ordmad
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 1:41 p.m.
ouch: some discussion on whether the bible is a myth or not get's removed. there's your answer on whether this "newspaper" has a faith based perspective.
ordmad
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
Amen silverwings (pun intended). When you focus on one faith and, worse yet, exclude those that believe that all religion is myth, you implicitly adopt a faith oriented view on what, to my understanding, it supposed to be an apolitical, non-religious news organization.
silverwings
Wed, Oct 27, 2010 : 10:41 a.m.
Hey, AnnArbor.com, how about a little editorial oversight? These columns have been almost exclusively devoted to Christianity. How about bringing representatives of other faiths on board, or even (spaghetti-monster forbid), an atheist or agnostic?