Christ's Divine and Human Attributes in Theology
Christ's Divine and Human Attributes in Theology
The doctrine of Christ's divine and human attributes is rooted in biblical descriptions of Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine. The human nature of Christ is evident in his conception, birth, and experiences, such as hunger, thirst, and weariness [2]. Scripture highlights Jesus' human attributes, including his emotions, like weeping (Luke 19:41; John 11:35), and his physical needs, such as hunger (Matthew 4:2; 21:18) and thirst (John 4:7; 19:28).
The divine attributes of Christ are also extensively described in the Bible. Jesus is characterized as holy (Luke 1:35; Acts 4:27), righteous (Isaiah 53:11; Hebrews 1:9), and sinless (John 8:46; 2 Corinthians 5:21). His divinity is further underscored by his role in creation and his possession of divine names and titles. The Bible attributes divine qualities to Christ, such as being the source of all grace (John 1:14; Colossians 1:19) and being unsearchable (Ephesians 3:8) [1].
The coexistence of human and divine attributes in Christ is a central aspect of Christian theology. According to John Gill, Christ's human nature is the temple in which the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily (Colossians 2:9) [6]. This understanding is crucial for understanding Christ's mediatorial office, as it allows him to relate to both God and humanity.
The implications of Christ's dual nature are significant for Christian doctrine and practice. As the perfect example for believers, Christ's human attributes demonstrate the possibility of living a sinless and obedient life (1 Peter 2:21-22; 1 John 2:6) [3]. His divine attributes, meanwhile, underscore his authority and capacity to save humanity.
The theological articulation of Christ's divine and human attributes has been a subject of ongoing reflection in Christian tradition. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by John Gill, emphasizes the hypostatic union of Christ's two natures [4, 5, 6]. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as seen in Adam Clarke's commentary on Hebrews, highlights Christ's high priesthood and its implications for believers [7].
The biblical foundation and theological elaboration of Christ's divine and human attributes continue to shape Christian understanding of the person and work of Jesus Christ. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, Christ's preciousness is multifaceted, encompassing his divine and human aspects [1]. This rich biblical and theological heritage informs ongoing Christian reflection on the significance of Christ's nature for salvation and discipleship.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Preciousness of Christ — To God -- Mt 3:17; 1Pe 2:4. To Saints -- Song 5:10; Php 3:8; 1Pe 2:7. On account of his Goodness and beauty. -- Zec 9:17. Excellence and grace. -- Ps 45:2. Name. -- Song 1:3; Heb 1:4. Atonement. -- 1Pe 1:19; Heb 12:24. Words. -- Joh 6:68. Promises. -- 2Pe 1:4. Care and tenderness. -- Isa 40:11. As the corner-stone of the Church -- Isa 28:16; 1Pe 2:6. As the source of all grace -- Joh 1:14; Col 1:19. Unsearchable -- Eph 3:8. Illustrated -- Song 2:3; 5:10-16; Mt 13:44-46.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 145:5: I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty,.... Of the majesty of the divine Person of Christ; of the honour due unto him; of the glory of him as of the only begotten of the Father, as he is the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person; of his glory as Mediator, and the honour that belongs to him as such, with which he is now crowned at the right hand of the Majesty on high, angels, authorities, and powers, being subject unto him as the Lord and King of glory; and of thy wondrous works; in becoming incarnate, in dying for the sins of his”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 17:10: And all mine are thine, and thine are mine,.... Christ is speaking not of things but of persons; otherwise all the perfections of his nature as God, and all the works he did, and doctrines he taught as man, were of his Father; as all the perfections of his Father, his nature, his names, his works, his worship, were his; the same that belongs to the one belongs to the other: but persons are here meant, and these the elect of God, particularly the apostles, who were his and his Father's; belonged to them both by election, covenant transactions, redemption, and efficaciou”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 2:9: For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. This is to be understood, not of the doctrine, or Gospel of Christ, as being a perfect revelation of the will of God; but of Christ, and particularly of his human nature, as consisting of a true body and a reasonable soul, in which the Godhead dwells in a most eminent manner: God indeed is everywhere by his powerful presence, was in the tabernacle and temple in a very singular manner, and dwells in the saints in a way of special grace; but resides in the human nature of Christ, in the highest and most exalt”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 5 (introduction): The nature of the high priesthood of Christ; his pre-eminence, qualifications, and order, Heb 5:1-10. Imperfect state of the believing Hebrews, and the necessity of spiritual improvement, Heb 5:11-14.”