Chapter 7: The Church Knows Jesus by Many Names ©Ave Maria Press.

Chapter 7:Chapter 7:The Church Knows The Church Knows

Jesus by Many Jesus by Many Names Names ©Ave Maria Press

Knowing What Knowing What the Words Meanthe Words Mean

Words may mean different things

at different points in history and in different

contexts.

St. Paul’s Cathedral

21st Century English Translation: awful = awe inspiring amusing = amazing artificial = artistic

It is awful; it is amusing; it is

artificial.

It is even more essential that we It is even more essential that we understand the words applied to understand the words applied to

Jesus Christ in Scripture.Jesus Christ in Scripture.

Understanding the context of the Scriptures allows us a deeper union

with Jesus Christ.

Gospel Words Gospel Words to Describe to Describe

JesusJesusWho is

Jesus Christ?

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The branch of theology that The branch of theology that attempts to answer this question is attempts to answer this question is

ChristologyChristology..

Christology studies the nature, Person, and works of

Jesus.

Who is Jesus?Who is Jesus?

How can he be both How can he be both human and divine?human and divine?

What does it mean to What does it mean to call him the Son of God?call him the Son of God?

There are many titles applied to Jesus There are many titles applied to Jesus in the New Testament. Some of in the New Testament. Some of these, we examined in previous these, we examined in previous

chapters:chapters:Emmanuel – “God with us”

The Word of God – Who always existed with God and

is God

Son of God – Begotten, not made

Son of Man – Both human and divine, and will issue in God’s

Kingdom

I AM – God

Rabbi

A rabbi is a highly respected teacher of

Jewish law or theology. Jesus is

called “rabbi” fourteen times in the New Testament. We can tell from this,

that he was respected and

admired.

Other titles—or names—forOther titles—or names—for Jesus Jesus give us even more insight into give us even more insight into

the Person of Christ.the Person of Christ.



Christ

One of the most important titles

given to Jesus. It comes from the

Greek translation of the Hebrew messiah, which means Jesus is anointed, or

chosen.

Contemporaries of Jesus had many different ideas about what the Messiah

would be. Some, like the Zealots, expected that he would be a military leader

to throw off the Roman occupation. The Essenes

expected him to be a priestly ruler who would

reform worship in Jerusalem. Still others thought he would be a

prophetic figure bringing moral reform.

None of these people expected the Messiah to be the actual Son of God. What Jesus tells us about his role as

Messiah is that he will be the Son of Man,

who will come in glory at the end of time – but that he is also a

Suffering Servant. The Messiah will sacrifice his very life for his

people.

Prophet

One way to think of prophets is that they

predict the future.

Jesus did make prophecies that were later fulfilled, like his prediction about the

destruction of the Temple.

A prophet is also a person who represents God.

Prophets are sent by God, to speak his message and

perform works on his behalf. Many recognized

Jesus as this kind of prophet.

As Jesus said, “I came into this world to testify to the

truth.”

Other titles—or names—for Jesus Other titles—or names—for Jesus give us even more insight into give us even more insight into


Priest

One definition of a priest is a mediator between

God and humanity. It is this role of a priest that Jesus performs when he bridges the gap between

God and us, by sacrificing himself for our sins. He continues

to do this in each celebration of the

Eucharist.



King

Jesus was called “king” by the Magi who visited him after his birth. He was

also charged by Pontius Pilate with making himself king of the Jews. For this

he was sentenced to death. Jesus was not the

king the people expected, but he is, indeed the King

of Kings.



Lamb of God

In the Old Testament, the lamb sacrificed at

Passover was a symbol of salvation and

freedom from slavery.

Jesus gave up his life for the redemption of

humanity, and became the sacrificial lamb of the New Testament.



Savior

Jesus’ own name means “God saves.”

This is most appropriate, for Jesus

embodies the meaning of the word

savior—“one who protects or saves from

present or future danger.”



Lord

When Jesus lived on earth, people used the term “Lord” to

refer to a ruler, other powerful

person, or as an address similar to

“sir.”

When Christians use the term “Lord” for Jesus,

however, we are translating the Greek

kurios, which is, in turn, a translation of the Hebrew Adonai—the

word the Jews used in place of the most holy name of God (YHWH).

So in calling Jesus “Lord,” we are stating boldly that he is God.



Christian Christian Symbols Symbols

Teach about Teach about JesusJesus

As external signs of another reality, various

Christian symbols can help us to understand Christ

better. Through the centuries symbols rooted in

Scriptural quotes have been used in religious art to help Christians grasp important truths about

Jesus.

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus tells us that he is

the “Alpha and the Omega,” which are

the first and last letters of the Greek

alphabet. This conveys that Jesus is

the beginning and the completion of all

history.

Alpha and OmegaAlpha and Omega

The Roman authorities posted the crime of those being crucified on their cross for all to see. In Palestine, they affixed

signs in three languages—Hebrew, Latin, and

Greek; so that everyone would be able to read

them. The sign on Jesus’ cross said, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.” I.N.R.I is the abbreviation for the

Latin, Iesus Nazarenus Rex

Iudeorum.

The cross with the accompanying Greek letters conveys that

Jesus has conquered sin and death. IC are the

first and last letters of the Greek word for Jesus; XC are the first and last

letters of the Greek word for Christ; and NIKA is

the Greek word that means “to conquer.”

Jesus Christ the ConquerorJesus Christ the Conqueror

Chi (X) and Rho (P) are the first two

letters of the Greek word for Christ:

Χριστος. This familiar symbol for Jesus

identifies him as the Messiah.

Chi-RhoChi-Rho

The fish becomes a symbol for Christ and for Christians because of the

anagram for the first letters of the words in a short creed: “Jesus Christ Son of God Savior.” In Greek: Ιησους

Χριστος Θηου Υιος Σωτηρ. The Greek word ІΧΘΥΣ means “fish.”

FishFish

IHS are the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek: Ιησους.

IHSIHS

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the

sins of the world. With his

passion and death, he made

himself the perfect sacrifice

to redeem us from our sins.

LambLamb

Church Councils Church Councils Clarified Clarified

Teachings Teachings about Jesusabout Jesus

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the

Church issues statements about our beliefs so that they remain true to what

has been handed down to us by the

Apostles.

These false teachings are called

heresies. When people developed

mistaken ideas about Jesus, causing

a heresy to circulate, the Church had to clarify what

Catholics should believe by issuing clear statements.

Early in its history, the Church Early in its history, the Church had to respond to beliefs that had to respond to beliefs that

were not consistent with the true were not consistent with the true faith handed down by the faith handed down by the

Apostles.Apostles.

These were important bishops, theologians, teachers, and scholars

whose writings have greatly contributed to Church doctrine and practice.

During the first five centuries of During the first five centuries of Christianity, the Christianity, the Church FathersChurch Fathers helped clarify Church teaching helped clarify Church teaching

about Jesus and the Trinity.about Jesus and the Trinity.

St. Irenaeus St. Athanasius St. Cyril of St. Leo Alexandria the Great

The heresy of Docetism held that The heresy of Docetism held that Jesus only Jesus only appearedappeared to be human. to be human. This belief was a form of Gnosticism, This belief was a form of Gnosticism, which claims that Jesus shared a which claims that Jesus shared a secret knowledge with only a few secret knowledge with only a few close friends. Gnostics denied Jesus’ close friends. Gnostics denied Jesus’ humanity and therefore his humanity and therefore his Resurrection.Resurrection.

Is Jesus really human?Is Jesus really human?

The Gospel of John answered Docetism by telling us that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.St. Irenaeus defended orthodoxy (true and established teaching) against Gnostic beliefs in his book Against Heresies.

ArianismArianism became a dangerous heresy in the became a dangerous heresy in the Third Century AD. Its originator, Arius, taught Third Century AD. Its originator, Arius, taught

that Jesus was not God, but only the greatest of that Jesus was not God, but only the greatest of creatures, whom God creatures, whom God adoptedadopted as his son. as his son.

Is Jesus really God?Is Jesus really God?

This false belief threatened the unity of the Christian faith, and

was vigorously combated by St. Athanasius and

other Church leaders at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. Arianism was

condemned as a heresy at the council, and the

Nicene Creed was issued, which details the most

essential beliefs of orthodox Christianity.

Is Jesus really God?Is Jesus really God?

The teaching of St. Athanasius and the

fathers of the Council of Nicaea was upheld

at the second ecumenical council—at Constantinople in AD 381. Because of the

leadership of St. Athanasius in

defending the true teaching of

Christianity, he is called the “Father of

Orthodoxy” (true teaching).

How many persons are in How many persons are in Christ?Christ?

St. Cyril of Alexandria defended the truth of Mary’s

title as Theotokos— Greek for “God-bearer.” More

importantly, this meant that Christ is one person with two

natures—both human and divine. St. Cyril’s position was

upheld at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431, and

Nestorianism was denounced as heresy.

Another problem arose when Nestorius, the Another problem arose when Nestorius, the patriarch of Constantinople, taught that there patriarch of Constantinople, taught that there were two persons in Jesus—one human and the were two persons in Jesus—one human and the other divine. other divine. NestorianismNestorianism also said that Mary also said that Mary was only the mother of the human Jesus, and was only the mother of the human Jesus, and

should, therefore, not be called the “Mother of should, therefore, not be called the “Mother of God.”God.”

How many natures are in How many natures are in Christ?Christ?

Pope St. Leo the Great corrected this heresy, saying

that Jesus is one Divine Person with two natures –

both human and divine. His teaching was confirmed at

the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), and the Second and

Third Councils of Constantinople (AD 553 and

680).

Another heretic, Eutyches, said that the Another heretic, Eutyches, said that the divine nature of Jesus completely swallowed divine nature of Jesus completely swallowed up his human nature—so Jesus only had one up his human nature—so Jesus only had one

nature, which is divine. This is called nature, which is divine. This is called MonophysitismMonophysitism..

Your text presents twelve of the dogmatic Your text presents twelve of the dogmatic teachings about Jesus from the early teachings about Jesus from the early ecumenical councils. These three are ecumenical councils. These three are

among the most important: among the most important:

Jesus is consubstantial with the Father. He is divine. (Nicaea, AD 325)

Mary is truly the Mother of God – Theotokos. (Ephesus, AD 431)

Jesus is one divine Person with two natures; human and divine. (Chalcedon, AD 451)

The Nicene Creed The Nicene Creed Summarizes Summarizes Beliefs about Beliefs about

JesusJesusOur creed—written at Nicaea in AD 325—was

endorsed and expanded at the First Council of Constantinople (AD

381).

It contains the essentials of the Christian faith.

The Nicene Creed (or Niceno-The Nicene Creed (or Niceno-Constantinopalitan Creed) was Constantinopalitan Creed) was

originally formulated to address originally formulated to address the heresy of Arianism. the heresy of Arianism.

In answering heresy, it effectively

summarizes the Christian faith.

The Creed focuses on belief about Jesus Christ, the Blessed

Trinity, and the Catholic Church.

The Nicene Creed begins The Nicene Creed begins describing God with the first describing God with the first

Person of the Trinity. Person of the Trinity.

He is the Father, the Almighty,

maker of heaven and earth.

The Creed continues with our The Creed continues with our beliefs about the Son of God. beliefs about the Son of God.

Jesus Christ is Lord. The only Son of God—

eternally begotten of the Father, God

from God, Light from Light, true God from true

God. Through him all things were

made.

The Creed then proclaims our The Creed then proclaims our belief in the third Person of the belief in the third Person of the

Blessed Trinity. Blessed Trinity.

The Holy Spirit is the Lord, the giver

of life, who proceeds from the

Father and the Son. With the Father and the

Son, he is worshiped and

glorified. He has spoken through the prophets.

The Nicene Creed also puts The Nicene Creed also puts forth the other essential forth the other essential

beliefs of our Christian faith.beliefs of our Christian faith.

It details the important events

in the life of Christ, such as his virgin birth, his crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension into heaven.



It proclaims our belief in the one holy catholic and apostolic Church.



And it proclaims our faith in one baptism

which God gives us for the forgiveness of our

sins, that we may experience the

resurrection of the body and everlasting life in the fullness of God’s

Kingdom—the world to come.

Chapter 7: The Church Knows Jesus by Many Names ©Ave Maria Press.

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