His enemies called him "Black Dwarf", because he was short and dark-skinned. Athanasius of Alexandria fought many enemies during his career as a bishop. The Roman emperors exiled him multiple times. But in the end, Athanasius prevailed. He defended the honour of his Lord Jesus and the Lord used him as a great teacher. Athanasius … Continue reading Athanasius: a remarkable soldier of Jesus Christ
Tag: hypostatic union
He is still with us (LD 18, q&a 46-48)
Introduction When Jesus rose out of the grave, his disciples were excited. They had put all of their hopes on him, and when he had died on the cross they were desperate. His resurrection meant that his work would continue. With a Master who was even more powerful than death itself, what could stop his … Continue reading He is still with us (LD 18, q&a 46-48)
Christ’s two natures after his resurrection
When he came to earth, the Son of God took upon himself our humanity. We speak of the two natures of Christ: he is both fully God and fully human, two natures perfectly united in one Person. In his glorification, the Son of God did not push away his human nature. The risen Lord appeared … Continue reading Christ’s two natures after his resurrection
Heaven and earth meet (LD 14, q&a 35-36)
Introduction In the last several lessons we discussed the identity of our Redeemer. He is Jesus, Saviour; he is Christ, the Anointed One; he is the only-begotten Son of the Father, and he is our Lord. As we continue along in the Apostles’ Creed, we now discuss his work and life. Traditionally, we divide the … Continue reading Heaven and earth meet (LD 14, q&a 35-36)
Jesus Christ emptied himself
Though he was in the form of God, [he] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself. (Phil. 2:6f) Theologians speak of kenôsis, Greek for “emptying”, to describe how the Son of God lay aside his divine glory and majesty when he became a man. Philippians 2 points out … Continue reading Jesus Christ emptied himself
God’s Son, our Lord (LD 13, q&a 33-34)
Introduction “I believe in Jesus Christ, his only-begotten Son, our Lord.” We discussed the meaning of the name Jesus, Saviour. We learned that he is the Anointed One, God’s ultimate agent in this world, our chief Prophet, only High Priest, and eternal King. Now we consider his last two titles in the Apostle’s Creed: only-begotten … Continue reading God’s Son, our Lord (LD 13, q&a 33-34)
“One and Only” or “Only-Begotten”?
From early on, the church has emphasized that Jesus is the only-begotten Son of God. We find this phrase in the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed. Until recently, it was also found in English Bibles, for instance in the well-known verse, John 3:16: God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son. … Continue reading “One and Only” or “Only-Begotten”?
What to believe? (LD 7, q&a 22)
Introduction You can only be saved if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The catechism made that very clear in q&a 20. Faith is what “grafts you into” the Saviour, that is, connects you with him on an essential level, so that his righteousness becomes your righteousness, and his holiness becomes your holiness, and … Continue reading What to believe? (LD 7, q&a 22)
The God-Man Saviour (LD 6, q&a 16-18)
Introduction In LD 5 we asked how we, sinners, can escape the punishment of hell that we deserve. The conclusion was that we need a very special Saviour. He must be a true and righteous man, and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is at the same time true God. Now … Continue reading The God-Man Saviour (LD 6, q&a 16-18)
The Chalcedonian Definition
We confess that Jesus Christ is both true man and true God. The earliest Christians already drew this conclusion, based on the testimony of the Bible. They called Jesus the theanthropos, the “God-Man”. When in the early 300s Arius denied that Jesus is God, the church famously stated in the Nicene Creed: he is “true … Continue reading The Chalcedonian Definition