CHRISTOLOGY

from ABOVE

&

from BELOW
• Christology (from Greek Χριστός Khristós and
-λογία, -logia) is the field of study within
Christian theology which is primarily
concerned with the nature and person of
Jesus Christ as recorded in the canonical
Gospels and the epistles of the New
Testament
Superhero Christology
 CHRISTOLOGY
Christology is the study of the theology of
Our Lord Jesus Christ

All of theology is based off of an exposition

of the Apostle’s Creed.
There are three different ways In which
we can study Christ.

1) Christology from below,

2) Christology from above,

or

3) Christology from the incarnation.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Alj8gDta6SU
Jesus of Nazareth The Kingdom is upon us 2:43sec clip

At the core of Christological

doctrine is belief in
Jesus‘ divinity
and
humanity.
 Christology from Below

 starting point: the man Jesus

 focuses on Jesus' humanity

*focuses on the historical Jesus
The Gospels are concerned about
faith in Christ

* emphasizes Jesus' special

Relationship with God
(e.g., prayer, teachings,
authority, miracles)
 emphasizes Jesus' passion and death

 emphasizes the Kingdom of God in

our midst
so, more connected to an immanent
view of God
 emphasizes the unity of God and
humanity made possible in Jesus

 synoptic gospels (Mt-Mk-Lk) serve as

a foundation for this
 Christology from Above
 starting point: the second person of
The Trinity lowering itself and becoming
incarnate, the Word-made-flesh
suffering and dying for us, and
ascending into Heaven

 focus on Jesus' divinity

 GOD
God
Word of God
Son of God
Second Person of the Trinity
Deity
Divine Being
Divine Substance
Divine Nature
Godhead
Divinity

‘In the beginning was the WORD!’ John1

GOD - BECAME MAN
- WAS MAN
Flesh
Physical Body
Mankind
Humanity
Human Being
Human Person
Human Substance
Human Nature
Human form
Individual
Distinct Personality
Human race
 emphasis on the pre-existent Word

 focus on God relating to man

 emphasis on the gap between God and

• Man
 and Jesus as the bridge (mediator)
 Christology from Above
John’s gospel and Paul’s letters serve as
foundations for this perspective

 image: Christ the King

 associated with a high Christology

“Whenever filmmakers approach the character of Jesus Christ
… inevitably there is a Christology discernible and operative in
the image they create. The works of these artists reveal an
implicit Christology: they assume a position in reference to
Jesus as a historical figure and as the Christ. Some tend to
privilege more the dimension of his divinity, what is popularly
referred to as "high" Christology. Others tend to privilege
especially his humanity, what is popularly referred to as "low
Christology. The former does not necessarily exclude the latter,
and vice versa; a filmmaker can emphasize Jesus‘ humanity
while at the same time admitting or allowing his divinity.
However, some directors, often those with a "low" Christology,
go so far in their chosen emphasis that the divinity of the
resulting Jesus is either denied outright or is so obscured that
in effect it is denied.”
 Films
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) Scorsese |
Jesus & Judas | 1:30-4:00

Jesus of Nazareth (1977) Zeffirelli | Raising of

Lazarus | 4:55 (total)

The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) Scorsese |

Raising of Lazarus | 0:00-2:50
King of Kings (1927) Cecil B. DeMille | Agony in the Garden | The Upper Room

Godspell (1973) | Baptism of Jesus

Jesus Christ Superstar (2000) | Agony in the Garden

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvVr2uks0C8