Dogmatic Theology Vol 3 - Shedd - XVI - Christology

Required reading

Dogmatic Theology Vol 3 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or here)  - Read Christology.

My summary  

Today we read the notes on Christology.

We learn about:

(i) how the incarnation was only of the second person of the trinity;

(ii) the errors of the Lutheran understanding of the incarnation;

(iii) the self-consciousness of Christ;

(iv) the hypostatic union;

(v) the impeccability of Christ;

(vi) the temptations of Christ.

What grabbed me

I enjoyed the explanation about the alternation of the self-consciousness of Christ: 'The alternation in the self-consciousness of Christ, according as the human and divine natures advanced or retreated, explains how it was possible for him to have his desires unrealized and his endeavors thwarted. The question naturally arises how Christ could consistently and sincerely say, “How often would I have gathered your children, and you would not,” when as incarnate deity he could have inclined them to come to him. How could he have wept genuine tears over refusing Jerusalem, when he might, by the irresistible energy of the Holy Spirit, have overcome the opposition that caused his tears? The answer is that though he was God incarnate, it was a part of his humiliation to be “emptied,” for most of the time while here upon earth, of his divine power—that is, not to employ it continually and invariably as he did in his preexistent state. This exinanition made him like an ordinary man, who cannot prevail upon men except in the ordinary way of argument, entreaty, and persuasion, all of which might fail to move them. Though God incarnate, yet the nature of his mediatorial office while on earth, as one of humiliation, prohibited the constant use of his omnipotence. He was therefore in this low estate subject to the disappointment and grief which any one of his own ministers is subject to, when he sees no fruit of his labors and grieves over the perversity and obstinacy of men.'

Oh, the humiliation of Christ!

Next week's reading

Commence 'Soteriology' by reading up to the paragraph commencing: 'Vol. II., p.486. Augustine distinguishes the common from the effectual call in the following passage...'.

Now it's your turn

Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.