Some major challenges for Christology

Abstract

In the light of Christian faith, practice and worship, that branch of theology called christology reflects systematically on the being and doing of Jesus of Nazareth (c. 5 B.C. - c. A.D. 30). In seeking to clarify the essential truths about him, it investigates his person and being (who and what he was/is) and work (what he did/does). Was/is he both human and divine? Ifso, how is that possible and not such a contradiction in terms as being a 'married bachelor'? Should we envisage his revealing and redeeming 'work' as having an impact not only on all men and women of all times and places, but also on the whole created cosmos? In any case, can we describe or even minimally explain that salvific 'work'? In facing and tackling these and other such questions, historical, philosophical and linguistic considerations play a crucial role. They can be distinguished, if not finally separated.