What is the study of Christology?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The study of Christology covers a variety of subjects but can be divided into specific categories. One category starts with Old Testament prophecies about Jesus prior to His ministry on Earth. The Old Testament prophesies about topics ranging from Jesus’ birthplace to His manner of suffering and death on Earth to His future kingdom (Micah 5:2, Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Zechariah 9:9, Daniel 7:13-14). Jesus’ pre-existence is also a good starting place in Christology (John 1:1-3; John 17:5), as it points to Jesus’ deity, a crucial category of Christology (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9; Philippians 2:6; Matthew 9:2; Luke 24:50-51). One of the most studied areas of Christology is Jesus’ life and ministry on Earth, which are found in the Gospels. The Gospels contain prayers, parables, and sermons that have been studied in-depth and re-taught for centuries, such as Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Other sections of Christology have to do with future prophecies about Jesus such as His ascension and future return (Thessalonians 4:13-18) and future kingship and rule (Revelation 20:1-6).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament prophet Isaiah predicted that the Jewish Messiah would come, yet be rejected and suffer (Isaiah 53).
• Micah 5:2 speaks of Jesus' future birthplace, Bethlehem Ephrathah.
• Zechariah 9:9 mentions that the Messiah will come “humble and mounted on a donkey.”
• Psalm 22 describes a torture similar to crucifixion before the practice even existed: “. . . a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and fee” (v. 16).
• Daniel has a vision in which he says that the “son of man” and “Ancient of Days” is given glory, dominion, and an eternal kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Pre-existence of Jesus: Prior to His earthly life, Jesus existed in eternity past as the second person of the Triune Godhead. He was with God in the beginning and was God Himself (John 1:1-3). Jesus alludes to the time in which He was with the Father before the world was created in John 17:5.
• The Deity of Jesus Christ: Jesus was not only God, but Man also (John 1:14). In fact, in Colossians 2:9 Jesus’ deity is explicitly mentioned: “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily…”, and Philippians 2:6 describes Jesus as being in the “form of God.” Jesus’ countless miracles (John 21:25), ability to forgive sins (Matthew 9:2), foreknowledge and resurrection (Matthew 20:17-19), and ascension (Luke 24:50-51) further prove His deity.
• Earthly Life and Ministry: Those who study Christology specifically target the Gospels because they cover the earthly life of Jesus. Within the gospels one can learn of Jesus’ miracles, prophecies, and glorious ministry that track His divinity from His birth to the day of His ascension back into heaven. The Gospels are also a popular choice because of the rich biblical teachings from Jesus found in passages such as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7.
• Ascension and Future Return: After the Gospel accounts, the book of Acts and other New Testament books focus on the teachings of Jesus and His future return. First Thessalonians 4:13-18 speaks specifically of an unknown, future time at which the dead in Christ will rise first, followed by all living believers immediately ascending into the air to be with Jesus forever.
• Eternal Reign: During the millennial kingdom, Jesus will fulfill His role as the Davidic Messiah and reign from His throne in Jerusalem for one thousand years; this is known as the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6). At the end of this time, one final rebellion will take place by Satan. Then there will be a final judgment followed by the creation of a new heavens, earth, and city where Jesus will reign with His people for eternity.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Christology is composed of the words Christ, referring to Jesus, and ology, meaning "the study of." The word Christology, therefore, deals with the study of Jesus Christ. It serves as one of three areas related to the study of Theology Proper, or the study of the Triune God, including Paterology (the study of God the Father) and Pneumatology (the study of the Holy Spirit).

In systematic theology, Christology is the area of theology that discusses issues related to Jesus based on the teachings of the Bible. These areas of Christology include, but are not limited to, His eternal existence prior to His earthly life, prophecies related to Christ in the Old Testament, the humanity and deity of Christ, as well as His earthly birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, future return, and eternal reign. Though many additional details regarding Christ can and have been studied, the above overview includes the main categories traditionally studied within Christology.

Christology is valuable because it helps us to answer the question that Jesus asked His disciples: “. . . But who do you say that I am” (Matthew 16:15). As Christology reveals, Peter’s answer is the right one: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

UNDERSTAND

• Christology examines Jesus’ identity as both fully God and fully man, revealing His eternal existence and divine purpose.
• Christology studies the prophecies, life, death, resurrection, ascension, and promised return of Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s plan.
• Our understanding of Jesus’ role in creation, redemption, and His future reign over all is deepened through Christology.

REFLECT

• How does studying who Jesus truly is deepen your relationship with Him?
• Which part of Jesus’ life or ministry do you feel most drawn to understand better?
• How can reflecting on Jesus’ eternal reign change the way you live today?

ENGAGE

• Why is it important for believers to understand both the humanity and deity of Jesus?
• How do Old Testament prophecies strengthen our confidence in Jesus as the promised Messiah?
• How can studying Christology help us share our faith with greater clarity and conviction?