3 Minute Theology 1.5: What is the Incarnation?

Summary

The video script discusses the importance of theological boundaries in understanding the Christian belief in the Incarnation, where God became human in Jesus Christ. It highlights four key beliefs about Jesus being fully God and fully human, united in one person. The script explains how heresies have arisen from misunderstandings of these beliefs and how the church has established boundary markers to maintain the true understanding of Jesus' nature, emphasizing the necessity of these boundaries for a healthy relationship with God.

Takeaways

• 🏡 **Clear Boundaries**: The concept of 'good fences making good neighbors' is used metaphorically to emphasize the importance of clear boundaries in relationships and theological understanding.
• 🧘‍♂️ **Emotional Well-being**: Respecting boundaries is crucial for emotional health, as discussed by many therapists.
• 🌟 **The Incarnation**: Christians believe in the Incarnation, where God became human in Jesus Christ.
• 🙏 **Four Key Beliefs**: Traditional Christian beliefs about Jesus include that he was fully God, fully human, and that both natures were united in one person.
• 🚫 **Avoiding Heresies**: The church has established boundaries to avoid heresies that misrepresent the nature of Jesus.
• 🤔 **Understanding Jesus' Nature**: It's easier to define what Jesus was not than to explain what he was, highlighting the complexity of the Incarnation.
• 🚫 **Ebionites' Heresy**: The Ebionites believed Jesus was not God but a great man, which the church rejected.
• 🚫 **Docetism**: The heresy that Jesus only appeared to be human was also rejected by the church.
• 🚫 **Arianism**: The belief that Jesus was a lesser God was also deemed heretical.
• 🚫 **Apollinarianism**: The teaching that Jesus was not fully human was rejected, affirming that he had a human mind.
• 🔗 **Unity in Jesus**: Jesus is believed to be one person with two natures, fully human and fully God.
• 🌳 **Theological Fences**: Theological boundaries are likened to fences, helping to define and protect the true understanding of Jesus' nature.

Q & A

What is the significance of 'good fences' in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'good fences' symbolize clear boundaries that are essential for healthy relationships and theological understanding. They help define what is considered orthodox belief within Christianity, particularly concerning the nature of Jesus Christ.

What are the four key beliefs about Jesus in traditional Christian theology?

Traditional Christian theology holds that Jesus was fully God, fully human, and that these two natures were united in one single person.

What is the Incarnation, and why is it important in Christian theology?

The Incarnation refers to the belief that God took on human form in Jesus Christ. It is important because it is central to understanding the nature of Jesus and the relationship between the divine and human.

What is a heresy in the context of Christian theology?

A heresy is a teaching about Jesus that the church has examined and determined does not accurately represent their beliefs about his nature.

What did the Ebionites teach about Jesus, and how did the church respond?

The Ebionites taught that Jesus was not God but a great man who had attained special status with God. The church rejected this view, stating that it overstepped the boundaries of what they experienced in Jesus.

What is Docetism, and how did the church address it?

Docetism is the belief that Jesus was not human but only appeared to be so. The church rejected this heresy, affirming that Jesus was fully human.

Who was Arius, and what did he teach that was considered heretical?

Arius was a teacher who suggested that Jesus was not fully God but a lesser, secondary deity. The church rejected this view, asserting that Jesus is fully God.

What did Apollinarius teach about Jesus, and how did the church respond?

Apollinarius taught that Jesus was not fully human, having a human body but the mind of God. The church rejected this teaching, affirming that Jesus was fully human.

What are some other heresies mentioned in the script regarding Jesus' nature?

Other heresies mentioned include the belief that Jesus was two separate persons (Divine Jesus and human Jesus), or that his nature was neither human nor divine but a new kind of nature, or that he started as a man and became divine.

Why are these theological boundaries important for a growing experience of Jesus?

These theological boundaries are important because they help maintain a consistent and accurate understanding of Jesus' nature, which is vital for a full and growing relationship with God.

How does the script compare theological boundaries to physical fences?

The script compares theological boundaries to physical fences by suggesting that just as physical fences help neighbors maintain their properties and relationships, theological boundaries help maintain clarity and health in the relationship with God.