The Christology of Irenaeus

Abstract

"Christology is that sector of the theological discipline which deals with the Person of Jesus Christ, and more specifically, with the relation of the divine and the human as they coalesce in His Person. Ignatius, representative of the primitive church tradition had asserted one Christ, both human and divine, flesh and spirit.' There is one Physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in the flesh; both of Mary and of God The Logos, who was from the supernatural order, had become human specifically in Jesus. If Ignatius is content with the bald assertion of the New Testament and early church tradition, Justin Martyr starts "from the cosmological aspect of the problem." He is the Word of whom every race of men were partakers; and those who lived reasonably are Christians ...they who lived before Christ and lived without reason, were wicked and hostile to Christ'"