The Person of Jesus Chris

• What are the two versions of the summary notes for the Person of Jesus Christ topic?

  A*-A grade and B-C grade summary notes
• What is the doctrine of the Trinity regarding Jesus Christ?

  • Jesus is the 2nd person of the Holy Trinity
  • He is 100% God and 100% Human
  • The term 'trinity' is not in the Bible but was established in the Nicene Creed in 325 AD
• What does the term 'hypostasis' refer to in the context of the Trinity?

  It refers to the three persons in one substance of God
• What biblical evidence supports the idea of Jesus as the Son of God?

  Jesus said, "The father and I are one" - John 10:30
• What does the beginning of the Gospel of John state about the Word?

  It states, "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God"
• How does the Gospel of John describe the Word in relation to Jesus?

  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, indicating that the Word is Jesus
• What is the counterargument presented by scholars like Hick and Bart Ehrman regarding Jesus' divinity?

  They argue that the Gospel of John was written much later than the other gospels, casting doubt on its credibility
• What does the Gospel of Mark indicate about Jesus' divine birth?


  Mark begins with Jesus' baptism and does not mention the divine birth
• How does the Gospel of John differ from the other gospels in its portrayal of Jesus' divinity?


  John introduces the idea that Jesus existed with and as God before his incarnation
• What does the development argument suggest about the divinity of Jesus?

  It suggests that the divinity of Jesus was a later invention added to the Bible
• How does Peter J Williams respond to the development argument regarding Jesus' divinity?

  He argues that earlier gospels presented Jesus as divine through narrative elements like miracles
• What does Hick argue about the title 'Son of God' in Judaism?


  He argues that it was a common title for a special human chosen by God, not a unique divine person
• What does Ehrman argue regarding Jesus' statements of divine self-identification?

  Ehrman argues that Jesus never claims to be divine in the early gospels
• What is the significance of the Nicene Creed according to the study material?

  It was created to settle disputes about the nature of God and the Trinity
• What are the main arguments against the coherence of the Trinity?


  • Channing argues it is "infinite confusion"
  • Human and divine qualities are incompatible
  • Divinity is infinite, humanity is finite
  • John Hick compares it to saying a circle is also a square
• What is the standard response to the incoherence arguments regarding the Trinity?

  It is that the Trinity is a mystery to be taken on faith
• How do theologians like Augustine and Karl Barth view the Trinity?

  They admit it is a mystery that must be taken on faith
• What is the critique of Barth and Augustine's view on the Trinity?

  They admit that the Trinity doesn't make sense, raising questions about belief
• What do Jesus' miracles suggest about his identity?

  They suggest he was the Son of God due to his divine power
• What is the counterargument regarding the significance of Jesus' miracles?

  Old Testament prophets also performed miracles, which does not uniquely qualify Jesus
• How does the response to the counterargument about miracles highlight Jesus' uniqueness?

  Jesus had a unique level of control over his miracles, unlike Old Testament prophets
• What is N. T. Wright's argument regarding the resurrection of Jesus?

  He argues that the resurrection is historically valid based on the empty tomb and eyewitness accounts
• Why is the fact that women discovered the empty tomb significant?

  It adds credibility to the story since men were believed more than women at that time
• What do Craig and Wright argue about the post-mortem appearances of Jesus?

  They argue that the best explanation is that Jesus really rose from the dead
• What is the hallucination hypothesis regarding Jesus' post-mortem appearances?

  It suggests that the appearances could be visionary hallucinations rather than credible evidence
• How does Wright counter the hallucination hypothesis?

  He argues that the disciples would not have concluded Jesus was resurrected if they were merely hallucinating
• What does Keith Parsons argue against Wright's resurrection argument?

  He argues that radical beliefs about resurrection can arise without actual historical events
• What does Parsons conclude about the need for supernatural explanation regarding Jesus' resurrection?

  He concludes that radical theological changes do not necessarily require supernatural explanations
• How does Hick view Jesus in relation to wisdom?

  Hick sees Jesus as a 'guru' or teacher of wisdom who did not believe he was divine
• What philosophical influences shaped Hick's views on Jesus?

  Hick was influenced by Kant and Bultmann, leading him to view biblical stories as moral lessons
• What is Hick's argument for pluralism in relation to different religions?

  Hick argues that all religions are equally true and express the same spiritual dynamic
• What is the counterargument to Hick's view on Jesus' divinity?

  Demythologization cannot explain the biblical theme of Jesus' sacrifice saving humanity from sins
• What does the Atonement theory claim about Jesus' sacrifice?

  Atonement theory claims that Jesus' sacrifice saved humanity from sins and restored the relationship with God
• How does Hick defend his moral exemplar view of atonement?

  He argues that Jesus inspired people to be better through his life and teachings
• What are the key teachings of Jesus that illustrate his role as a teacher of wisdom?

  • The story of the lost/prodigal son teaches forgiveness
  • The Sermon on the Mount emphasizes moral teachings like turning the other cheek
• What is C. S. Lewis' 'trilemma' regarding Jesus?

  Lewis argues that Jesus is either a Liar, a Lunatic, or the Lord, and cannot be merely a teacher of wisdom
• Why does Lewis argue that Jesus cannot be just a teacher of wisdom?

  Because Jesus claimed to forgive sins, which only God has the moral right to do
• What is Craig's critique of Lewis' trilemma?

  Craig argues that Jesus could have been genuinely deluded about being the Son of God without being a liar or lunatic
• What example does Craig use to illustrate his point about delusion?

  He uses Aristotle's belief in slavery as an example of a virtuous person holding a deluded belief
• What conclusion can be drawn from Craig's argument regarding Jesus' identity?

  It is possible for someone to be deluded about specific issues while still being virtuous overall