This chapter outlines the different ways in which theologians of the Reformation received earlier medieval traditions. Luther himself, and both the Reformed tradition and most parts of the Catholic tradition, accepted the standard medieval view that the human nature hypostatically depends on the divine person. Dominicans followed Aquinas in supposing that the human nature comes to share in the eternal esse of the divine Son. And later Lutherans adopted the homo assumptus view of Augustine and the early Western Church.

This chapter is a description and analysis of the modern and postmodern periods and how they influenced theologians from a variety of traditions as they wrestled anew with the doctrine of Christ. In characterizing modernity as an era which celebrates universal reason and human progress, the author examines the ways in which modern theologians both chafed against and conformed to these insights as they developed their ideas about the person and work of Christ. Likewise, the author engages postmodernity as a disavowal of universal reason and progress, and thereby examines the manner in which these concepts were both rejected and embraced by various theologians as they sought to answer Christ’s question: “Who do you say I am?” within a postmodern era.

The chapter offers an overview of various models of trinitarian theorizing in contemporary theology as well as of its roots in nineteenth-century theology which was inspired by German Idealism. The overall question of the chapter is which model of the Trinity can best serve as a framework for a better understanding of the so-called Two Natures Christology and the relation of unity between the two natures in Christ. The chapter points also to the discussions surrounding the notion of “personhood” and its suitability for trinitarian and christological discourses.

This chapter begins by exploring the prospects and problems of studying Christology in the Hebrew Bible through the lens of “Messiah” language. It then offers a complementary method of studying the roots of Christological ideas by tracing how certain frameworks for a deliverer figure arise in the Hebrew text and receive refinement over time (into the Second Temple period): specifically, a Judahite king, exalted priest, end-times prophet, and transcendent “man.”

Late twelfth and early thirteenth century Christologies took the Lombard’s three “opinions” as their starting place in treating the mode of the union of divinity and humanity in Christ; later scholastic theologians, like Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and John Duns Scotus, would pursue similar questions in terms of his act of existence. This interest in the union of natures in Christ also gave rise to a deepened interest in Christ’s humanity, represented especially in the early Franciscan school and Thomas Aquinas. Finally, Mechthild of Madgeburg and Julian of Norwich represent two medieval Christologies produced beyond a university context.

Scriptural testimony, as understood in Christian theology, is the primary window into the divine life that has been provided through revelation. Thus, when Jesus says that he and the Father will send the Holy Spirit as an advocate for Christians (Luke 24:49; John 14:26) and also claims that the Spirit proceeds from the Father (John 15:26) a tension emerges. This chapter seeks to investigate that tension, scripturally, historically, and theologically, before turning to some possible ways forward.

This chapter surveys contemporary contextual Christologies that have adopted the explanatory and constitutive genres of contextual theologizing. It focuses on aspects of Māori, Pacific, Indigenous Australian, Native American, and African receptions of Christology.

There is a worry that central claims pertaining to the divinity and humanity of Christ form a logically inconsistent set. This chapter briefly surveys and critically examines some of the ways of addressing the worry of inconsistencies and advocates a minimalist approach to resolving the worry.

This chapter explores how metaphysical models, particularly the compositional and transformational approaches, can help elucidate the doctrine of the Incarnation. While these models face challenges, such as the Nestorian and Attributes Problems, various solutions have been proposed to address these issues and align the models with orthodox Christology. Ultimately, metaphysical models aim to provide coherence and plausibility to the mystery of the Incarnation, contributing to the ongoing work of analytic theology in understanding this central Christian doctrine.

This chapter argues that many New Testament authors develop their Christologies through the use of quotations of Scripture. Images for figures in Jewish interpretation provide a rich resource for these authors as they describe the significance of the work of Jesus for the people of God. This chapter features four passages with a network of scriptural references to illustrate the breadth of Christology represented in the New Testament Epistles.

Incarnation and Atonement are two aspects of the work of Christ addressed in Christology. In the IIncarnation, God the Son assumes a human nature in order to bring about human salvation; and in Atonement he achieves this. Various accounts of atonement have developed over the centuries. This chapter considers the major historic views in the context of a broadly Chalcedonian understanding of the Incarnation.

This introductory chapter describes how this Companion offers an up-to-date and accessible guide to the doctrinal sources, historical reception, and philosophical and theological investigation of Christology. Written by a broad and diverse collection of internationally renowned scholars, the volume showcases excellence in multiple scholarly methodologies, from biblical exegesis to historical investigation, from philosophical inquiry to theological reflection. In addition to methodological diversity, the volume also emphasizes christological approaches from different religious starting points, among both Christian denominations and non-Christian perspectives.

This chapter offers an overview of the fascinating and complex world of Islamic Christology by using the Qur’an and Hadith, the primary sources of Islam, as a starting point. It condenses the wealth of literature that Muslim exegetes, philosophers, and mystics have produced on the Islamic representation of Jesus and Mary, examining what they consider to be authoritative Islamicized forms of Christian beliefs.