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Although I realize that this article might seem to be very dense for many, what I do hope happens, if you read this, that you may gain a deeper appreciation of what has gone into the formulation of our religion through the efforts of many great persons. The dogmas that we believe in are truly complex. They are, however, beliefs that connect us directly to God and express our connection to Him in a very unique and marvelous way.<\/p>\n
As you might guess, other questions arise when we seriously think about those things we believe in, especially that God as Three-In-One.<\/p>\n
How are we to make sense of those biblical texts that seem to picture the Son as inferior to the Father? The Son sleeps, hungers, struggles in Gethsemane and dies on the cross. At times Jesus\u2019 knowledge seems limited. For instance, in speaking of the last day and hour, Jesus comments that, \u201cBut about that day or hour no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.\u201d If the Son\u2019s knowledge is less than the Father\u2019s, how can he share a common nature with Him? Is the possibility of a trinitarian model undercut by texts such as these?<\/p>\n
These are significant questions regarding the incarnate Son that must not be sidestepped, yet Gregory dares to answers them in one sentence. \u201cWhat is lofty you are to apply to the Godhead, and to that nature in him which is superior to sufferings and incorporeal; but all that is lowly to the composite condition of him who for your sakes made himself of no reputation and was incarnate – yes, for it is no worse things to say – was made man, and afterwards was also exalted.\u201d The key to these difficult biblical texts is learning \u201cto know which passages refer to his [divine] nature, and which to his assumed human mature.<\/p>\n
Of course, the Son was not always incarnate. \u201cHe who is now man was once the uncompounded. What he was he continued to be; what he was not he took to himself.\u201d In his saving descent into our world, human nature is \u201cunited to God, and became one [person].\u201d In a series of vibrant shining contrasts Gregory highlights the dual nature of Christ\u2019s person and actions.<\/p>\n
Remember, the Church believes that Christ is truly and fully God and truly and fully Man and that one of His natures does not rule the other.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Although I realize that this article might seem to be very dense for many, what I do hope happens, if you read this, that you may gain a deeper appreciation of what has gone into the formulation of our religion … Continue reading