The Identity of Jesus: Bishop Barron’s Address at SEEK 2021

Summary

In this powerful talk, the speaker emphasizes the centrality of Jesus' divine and human natures in Christianity. He argues that the identity of Jesus as both God and man is essential to salvation, with Jesus fulfilling the promises of Israel and making possible the reconciliation between humanity and God. Through scriptural examples, the speaker explores how Jesus' actions and words reveal his divinity, compelling a choice for those who encounter him. The talk also stresses the significance of Jesus' humanity, highlighting that Christianity is the greatest humanism, where divinity elevates humanity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesus is the central figure of the Christian faith, embodying both divinity and humanity in one unified person.
• 😀 The church teaches that salvation depends on Jesus being fully divine and fully human; neither alone is sufficient for salvation.
• 😀 Viewing Jesus merely as a moral teacher undermines the core of Christian salvation, because 'what has not been assumed has not been saved.'
• 😀 Heretical views like Monophysitism and Nestorianism distort Jesus' nature by overemphasizing either divinity or humanity, threatening the understanding of salvation.
• 😀 Jesus is qualitatively different from other biblical figures because he speaks and acts in the very person of God.
• 😀 The gospels consistently emphasize Jesus' divinity through actions and words, such as forgiving sins, claiming authority over the Torah, and performing nature miracles.
• 😀 Jesus compels a personal choice from individuals: either he is Lord and deserves full devotion, or he is not; there is no neutral position.
• 😀 The humanity of Jesus is fully preserved and enhanced by his divinity, reflecting a paradoxical Christian humanism that values and elevates human life.
• 😀 Christianity proposes the divinization of humanity (theosis/divinizatio), showing that God’s closeness enhances rather than overwhelms human nature.
• 😀 Missionary work should confidently proclaim both the divinity and humanity of Jesus, as this is central to the faith and its transformational power.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the speaker's address at the Seek 21 conference?

The central theme of the speaker's address is the identity of Jesus Christ, specifically the theological understanding of his divinity and humanity coming together in the unity of his person.

Why is it important that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human?

It is crucial because the salvation of humanity depends on Jesus embodying both divinity and humanity. If Jesus were only divine or only human, the reconciliation of humanity and God wouldn't be possible.

What does the speaker mean by 'salvation depends upon the coming together of divinity and humanity'?

The speaker is emphasizing that Jesus' unique nature—both divine and human—forms the foundation of Christian salvation. Without both natures, humanity would not be reconciled with God.

How does the speaker address the common modern view of Jesus as merely an ethical teacher?

The speaker critiques this view by arguing that if Jesus were only an ethical teacher and not divine, then he would not be able to save humanity. The speaker stresses that Jesus' divinity is key to salvation.

What heresies does the speaker mention that distort the understanding of Jesus' nature?

The speaker mentions two heresies: the Monophysite heresy, which emphasizes Jesus' divinity to the exclusion of his humanity, and the Nestorian heresy, which emphasizes his humanity to the exclusion of his divinity.

What does the speaker mean by the term 'high Christology' and why does he reject the common division between low and high Christology?

The speaker argues that the idea of 'low Christology' (emphasizing Jesus' humanity) and 'high Christology' (emphasizing his divinity) is a misconception. He points out that even in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Jesus' divinity is evident, not just in the Gospel of John.

How does the speaker interpret Jesus' statement 'my son, your sins are forgiven' in Mark 2:4-7?

The speaker uses this example to demonstrate Jesus' divine authority, arguing that the bystanders recognized this act as blasphemous because only God can forgive sins.

What significance does the speaker place on Jesus' statement 'you have a greater than the temple here' (Matthew 12:6)?

The speaker explains that this statement is significant because, for first-century Jews, the temple was the dwelling place of God. By declaring himself greater than the temple, Jesus was positioning himself as the new dwelling place of God.

How does the speaker interpret Jesus' act of calming the storm and walking on water?

The speaker suggests that Jesus' ability to still the storm and walk on water is a divine act, reflecting God's power over creation, as seen in the Old Testament (e.g., Psalm 107). This emphasizes Jesus' divinity.

What does the speaker mean when he says Jesus compels a choice?

The speaker argues that Jesus' identity demands a decision. If Jesus is truly God, then one's entire life must be devoted to him. If he is not, then he is not a good moral teacher but rather deluded. Therefore, Jesus forces everyone to choose between accepting or rejecting him.

What does the speaker mean by 'Christianity is the greatest humanism ever proposed'?

The speaker highlights that Christianity, through the divinity and humanity of Jesus, offers a profound humanism that elevates and enhances human nature, proposing the divinization of humanity. This is a key aspect of the Christian understanding of salvation.