esus Christ
means different
things to
different
people.
King, monk,
liberator, rabbi--these are all perspectives by which Christ
has been viewed throughout history. Who then is the "true" Jesus Christ?
Jesus IS the
culmination of all of these--and more. The roles Jesus has played
throughout the years must and do stem from one source--the basis of
Christianity: faith. History is
limited. It is a mode of knowing. Therefore, to search for the details
of Christ's life and to then base Christianity on them would be unwise.
However, this is what several so-called "biblical scholars" are attempting
to do. History should be
used to enhance, or to add depth to Christian beliefs.
This was the
belief
of Cyril of Alexandria, which was later confirmed at the Council of Ephesus.
By remaining true to biblical language and to the fundamental commitments
of Christianity, Cyril showed that Jesus could be one with God while
retaining His distinctiveness. He defined Jesus as the hypostatic union
of
divine and human--Jesus was both human and God combined into one
Christ.
This is how God was able to experience humanity, and this is why Jesus was
able to die on the cross and ultimately provide for our salvation. This
living, resurrected union of divine and human forms the basis of
Christianity. He fully participates in God, and thus, God fully
participates in humanity. Therefore, salvation is possible. This is the
true Jesus Christ.
