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Compositional Models in Christology: Christ’s Dual Nature by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff

Throughout the history of Christian theology, various compositional models have been proposed to understand and explain the divinity and humanity of Christ. These models attempt to grapple with the complex and central theological concept of the Incarnation. Here are some notable compositional models: Chalcedonian Model: The Chalcedonian Creed, formulated at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD, is one of the most widely accepted models in Christianity. It asserts that Jesus Christ is "truly God [...]

By |2023-10-05T09:30:29+02:00October 4th, 2023|Christology, Church History|0 Comments

What is the difference between one-self and three-self models of the Trinity and why does it matter? by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff

The "one-self" and "three-self" models of Trinitarianism are terms that are often used to discuss different theological understandings of the Trinity. Let me explain the differences between them: One-self Trinitarianism (also known as Monarchianism or Modalism): This perspective emphasizes the unity of God and suggests that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are different modes or manifestations of the same divine being. According to this view, there is only one self or person within the [...]

By |2023-06-21T14:30:50+02:00June 21st, 2023|Church History, Trinity|0 Comments

How did the Greek and Latin Fathers differ in their view of the Trinity? by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff

The Greek Fathers and the Latin Fathers, representing the Eastern and Western Christian traditions, respectively, had some differences in their views of the Trinity. These differences were influenced by various factors, including cultural, linguistic, and theological contexts. Here are some key points of contrast: One significant difference between the Greek and Latin Fathers was the language and terminology they used to discuss the Trinity. The Greek Fathers, such as Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, [...]

By |2023-10-04T10:37:04+02:00June 21st, 2023|Church History|0 Comments

The New Testament Canon: Man-Made of Divine? Notes on my debate with Adnan Rashid by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff

Recently I was invited to speak to Ustad Adnan Rashid on the topic, "The New Testament Canon: Man-made or Divine?" Even though text-critical issues are not my forte, I thought a discussion on the temperament of the New Testament community would be something interesting to discuss with Adnan. The five ways in which I wanted to answer the question of this debate were in the following sequence: The nature of Christian inspiration in that which [...]

The Gospel behind the Gospels: Evangelion, Kerygma and early rule of Faith by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff

R.V.G Tasker Professor of New Testament Exegesis at the University of London remarks that; “There were at least thirty five years of Christian teaching and Christian missionary activity before the believers were in possession of the written records of Christ’s life and teaching, which we know as the four Gospels”… He adds: “Our faith today is bound to be conditioned by the four Gospels. The faith of the earliest Christians was independent of them.”[1] Even [...]

By |2023-04-29T01:26:27+02:00August 26th, 2022|Church History|0 Comments

Jesus as an adopted Son of God: The Heresy of Adoptionism by Dr Daniel Maritz

Alister McGrath explains the nature of heresy as follows: “One of the more persistent themes in early Christian accounts of heresy is that it smuggles rival accounts of reality into the household of faith. It is a Trojan horse, a means of establishing (whether by accident or design) an alternative belief system within its host. Heresy appears to be Christian, yet it is actually an enemy of faith that sows the seed of faith’s destruction.”[1] Heresies are [...]

By |2021-12-21T11:57:13+02:00December 19th, 2021|Christian Cults, Christology, Church History|0 Comments

Jesus as a Phantom: The Heresy of Docetism by Dr Daniel Maritz

In Matthew 16:13-18 Jesus asks His disciples an especially important question: “Who do you say that I am?” This question was obviously aimed towards the true identity of Jesus. Although the apostle Peter was there in that instance to answer the question correctly, during the time right after the lives of the apostles[1] many different answers to this very question Jesus posed, appeared on the scene of church history. However, any answer to Jesus’ question which [...]

By |2021-12-19T11:38:50+02:00December 19th, 2021|Christian Cults, Christology, Church History|0 Comments

Negotiating the Person of Christ by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff

(5-Minute Read) Our starting point is indeed a complex one when we reflect upon the unique Lord, Jesus Christ. All concepts are but hush assimilations of the wonderful Lord we contemplate, and, in the end, we are simply bound by the limits of human logic. That being said, what does it mean when we speak about Jesus as “person.” Brian E. Daley writes. “When Greek theologians in the early church speak of the ‘hypostasis’ of [...]

By |2021-12-19T11:35:54+02:00December 19th, 2021|Christology, Church History|0 Comments

Logos-Sarx Logos Anthropos: the reality of two equal distinctions by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff

(10-minute Read) One way in which the first Christian community tried to articulate what they believed was via the Early Church Councils. Even though there were quite varied beliefs concerning the Person and the Work of Jesus Christ, in the end, we are reminded that God built His Church, and these Conciliar perspectives gave us some notion as to how we could stay within the bounds of Biblical Orthodoxy. In the first seven councils, the [...]

By |2021-12-19T11:32:07+02:00December 19th, 2021|Christology, Church History|0 Comments

Verses on the two natures of Christ by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff

In some previous articles, I looked at some of the historical understandings concerning the two natures of Jesus Christ. In this article, I will look at the Scriptural imperatives that show the reality of the two natures of Christ. Oliver Crisp reminds us that. “Scripture is the norm for all theological judgements, and that creeds, including the Chalcedonian definition, are subordinate norms that depend upon Scripture as the norming norm.”[1] Let me just say there [...]

By |2021-12-19T13:12:04+02:00December 19th, 2021|Christology, Church History|0 Comments

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