Christology is the theological study of Jesus Christ — who He is and what He has accomplished. It is the central doctrine of Christianity because everything depends on the person and work of Christ. As Jesus asked His disciples, 'Whom say ye that I am?' — the answer to this question determines the destiny of every soul. The person of Christ has been the subject of intense theological reflection throughout church history. The New Testament presents Jesus as truly God and truly man. He is the eternal Son of God, 'who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God' (Philippians 2:6). He is also truly human, 'made of a woman, made under the law' (Galatians 4:4). The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD formulated the classic statement: Jesus Christ is 'to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably; the distinction of natures being by no means taken away by the union, but rather the property of each nature being preserved, and concurring in one Person.' This means Jesus is one person with two distinct natures — divine and human — neither mixed nor separated. His deity was not diminished by becoming man; His humanity was not absorbed into His deity. Christology examines the states of Christ — His humiliation and exaltation. In His state of humiliation, Jesus laid aside the full use of His divine attributes (not the attributes themselves) to live as a servant, suffer, and die. In His state of exaltation, He was resurrected, ascended to heaven, and seated at the right hand of God, where He intercedes for His people and rules over all things. The offices of Christ are also central to Christology. Jesus is Prophet, revealing God's truth; Priest, offering Himself as sacrifice and interceding for His people; and King, ruling over all creation. As Prophet, He is the final revelation of God — 'no man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.' As Priest, He offered the perfect sacrifice and 'ever liveth to make intercession for them.' As King, He reigns until all enemies are put under His feet. The work of Christ centers on His atoning death. He died as a substitution, paying the penalty for sin that we deserved. He died as a propitiation, satisfying God's wrath. He died as a reconciliation, removing the enmity between God and man. And He died as a redemption, purchasing His people from slavery to sin. Christology is not merely academic. To know Christ is to know the only Savior, the perfect example, the coming Judge, and the eternal King. Every Christian must grow in the knowledge of Christ, 'till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.'

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Bible Verses About "What Is Christology"

Christology is the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ — His divine and human natures, His earthly ministry, His atoning death, His resurrection, and His eternal reign.

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Christology is the study of the person and work of Jesus Christ — His divine and human natures, His earthly ministry, His atoning death, His resurrection, and His eternal reign.

"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." — Matthew 16:15-16 (KJV)

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The Scriptures below are gathered specifically to address "What Is Christology?" Each is quoted in the King James Version with a link to its full chapter.

Matthew 16:15-16

"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."

John 1:1, 14

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

Colossians 1:15-20

"Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him... And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."

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