The Meaning of Christological Arguments: What the Bible Reveals About Jesus

What is Christological arguments?

Christological arguments are theological frameworks that seek to clarify the dual nature of Jesus Christ—fully divine and fully human—as revealed in Scripture and affirmed in Christian doctrine.

These arguments emerged in response to historical debates, such as Arianism (which denied Christ’s full divinity) and Docetism (which denied His true humanity), which threatened to distort the biblical portrayal of Jesus. The early church formalized these discussions in councils like Nicaea (325 AD) and Chalcedon (451 AD), which affirmed Jesus as 'one person in two natures.' Key biblical texts, such as John 1:1 ('the Word was God') and Philippians 2:6-8 ('he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant'), underpin these arguments by simultaneously asserting Christ’s deity and human experience.

Christological arguments are vital because they safeguard the integrity of the gospel: Jesus’ divinity ensures the sufficiency of His atonement for sin, while His humanity allows Him to empathize with human struggle. Without this balance, the Christian faith loses its foundation for salvation and hope. For instance, Hebrews 4:15 ('We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses') hinges on Christ’s shared human nature. These arguments thus remain central to understanding how Scripture presents Jesus as the unique mediator between God and humanity.

By anchoring Christ’s identity in Scripture and resisting distortions, Christological arguments provide a theological lens through which believers can grasp the mystery of the Incarnation. They also invite ongoing reflection on how Jesus’ dual nature shapes His role in redemption, while acknowledging the limits of human understanding in grasping such divine realities.

Philippians 2:5-11 and the Christological Argument

Philippians 2:5-11 presents a Christological hymn that articulates Jesus' dual nature as both fully divine and fully human, offering a foundational text for understanding the Incarnation.

The passage begins by affirming Jesus' pre-existence 'in the form of God' (v. 6), a phrase underscoring his inherent equality with God. Yet, it describes his voluntary self-emptying ('he made himself nothing') by taking 'the form of a servant' (v. 7), highlighting his humanity. The hymn emphasizes Jesus' humility in becoming human, culminating in his obedient death on the cross (v. 8), which contrasts with his pre-existent divine status. This paradox of exaltation through humiliation (v. 9-11) reflects the biblical logic of Christ's redemptive work, where his humanity enables identification with humanity, while his divinity ensures the efficacy of his sacrifice.

This passage directly supports the Nicene Creed's doctrine of the Trinity by affirming Jesus' eternal divinity ('same in substance with the Father') and his true humanity ('became incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary'). Christological arguments drawn from this hymn underscore the necessity of Jesus' full divinity for atonement and his full humanity for solidarity with believers, balancing these natures without confusion or separation. The structure of the hymn—moving from Jesus' divine equality to his human obedience and ultimate exaltation—models the theological coherence of the Incarnation as affirmed in Chalcedon.

The Historical Development of Christological Arguments

Early church councils played a pivotal role in defining Christological orthodoxy by addressing heresies that threatened the biblical understanding of Jesus' nature.

The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) directly confronted Arianism, which taught that Jesus was a created being subordinate to the Father. In response, the council affirmed the Nicene Creed’s declaration that Jesus is 'God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God,' emphasizing his eternal divinity as equal to the Father. The Council of Chalcedon (451 AD) further clarified this by affirming that Jesus is 'one person in two natures'—fully divine and fully human—without confusion or separation.

Arianism’s claim that Jesus was a 'creature' contradicted passages like John 1:1 ('the Word was God') and Philippians 2:6 ('he existed in the form of God'), which assert Jesus’ pre-existent divinity. The orthodox position, upheld by the councils, preserved the biblical balance between Christ’s deity (enabling atonement) and humanity (enabling empathy). This theological framework safeguarded the gospel’s integrity against distortions that either diminished Jesus’ humanity (Docetism) or his divinity (Arianism).

These debates underscored the urgency of articulating Christ’s dual nature in ways faithful to Scripture. By anchoring their arguments in texts like John 1:1 and Philippians 2:6-8, the councils ensured that Christological orthodoxy remained rooted in biblical revelation rather than philosophical speculation. Their resolutions not only resolved disputes but also provided a enduring model for interpreting Jesus’ identity in light of both divine and human realities.

Christological Arguments in the Gospels and Epistles

The New Testament Gospels and Epistles provide foundational texts that elaborate on Jesus’ divine and human natures, reinforcing the Christological framework established in Philippians 2:5-11.

John 1:1-18 affirms Jesus’ pre-existence and divinity, declaring, 'The Word was God,' while also describing His incarnation as 'the Word became flesh,' a dual assertion of deity and humanity. Colossians 1:15-20 emphasizes Jesus as the 'image of the invisible God' and the 'firstborn over all creation,' who sustains and reconciles all things, underscoring His cosmic authority and redemptive role. Hebrews 1:1-4 declares the Son to be 'the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being,' who upholds the universe and purifies believers, blending divine supremacy with intimate involvement in salvation. Together, these passages complement Philippians by highlighting Jesus’ equality with God and His embodied ministry, which enables both atonement and divine identification with humanity.

These texts collectively affirm Jesus’ unique role as Creator, Redeemer, and Mediator, as seen in Colossians’ claim that 'all things were created through Him' and Hebrews’ assertion that He 'tastes death for everyone.' They also reinforce the theological coherence of the Incarnation, balancing Jesus’ eternal divinity with His lived humanity. By anchoring Christological arguments in these scriptural pillars, the New Testament safeguards the gospel’s integrity against distortions that diminish either His deity or His humanity.

Why Christological Arguments Matter Today

Christological arguments remain essential today because they anchor our faith in the unchanging truth of Jesus’ dual nature, which undergirds every aspect of Christian belief and practice.

By affirming Jesus as both divine and human, these arguments provide a foundation for assurance of salvation, as only a sinless, divine Savior can atone for humanity’s guilt (John 1:1). His authority to teach and redeem stems from this dual identity, as seen in Philippians 2:6-8, where His humility and obedience culminate in exaltation. This identity also shapes Christian worship, directing devotion to the one who is ‘Lord’ in both heaven and earth (Phil. 2:11).

Modern theological trends that reduce Jesus to a mere moral teacher or spiritual phenomenon risk diluting the gospel’s power, as seen in debates over universalism or reductionist views of the Incarnation. Christological arguments, rooted in Scripture, equip believers to uphold the biblical portrait of Jesus as the sole mediator between God and humanity (1 Tim. 2:5), preserving the integrity of the faith.

Going Deeper

To deepen your understanding of Christological arguments, exploring foundational theological works and their practical implications can enrich both personal faith and outreach.

Athanasius’ *On the Incarnation* and C.S. Lewis’ *Miracles* offer insights into the necessity of Christ’s dual nature for salvation and the logic of belief, respectively. Engaging with these texts can sharpen your theological understanding, fostering a more articulate witness and a deeper personal reliance on Jesus’ full deity and humanity.