The question of whether Christ has two natures is an important theological issue that has been debated throughout church history. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully human. He has both a divine nature and a human nature. This biblical teaching is known as the hypostatic union – the union of Christ’s human and divine natures in one person. Here is an explanation of what the Bible teaches about Christ’s two natures:
Christ’s Divine Nature
The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ is fully God. There are many verses that affirm Christ’s divinity. For example:
- “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
- “He is the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15).
- “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9).
- “But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever” (Hebrews 1:8).
These and other verses indicate that Jesus Christ shares the divine nature with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus claimed equality with God and manifested divine attributes such as omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. He exercised the prerogatives of God such as forgiving sins, judging mankind, and accepting worship. All of this affirms that Christ has a divine nature.
Christ’s Human Nature
At the same time, the Bible is equally clear that Jesus Christ is fully human. There are many verses that demonstrate Christ’s humanity. For example:
- “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
- “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things” (Hebrews 2:14).
- “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
These verses teach that Jesus was born as a human baby, grew and developed as a human, experienced human emotions, felt hunger and fatigue, faced trials and temptations, and ultimately experienced human death. Christ’s human nature was real and complete, just as ours is, yet without sin.
The Hypostatic Union
How can Jesus be fully God and fully man at the same time? This is where the theological term “hypostatic union” comes into play. This refers to the union of Christ’s divine and human natures in one person. At the incarnation, the Second Person of the Trinity (the eternal Son of God) took on human flesh. Christ’s divine and human natures were united, but remained distinct. His divinity was not diminished or altered by taking on humanity. He did not become partly divine and partly human, but remained fully God and became fully human as well. Christ’s two natures exist in perfect harmony in the one person of Jesus.
The fact that Jesus is both fully God and fully man is critically important for salvation. Only a Savior who is both God and man could reconcile God and man. As Anselm of Canterbury famously stated, “He (Jesus Christ) ought to be both (God and man), that he may set free the human race through his death” (Cur Deus Homo).
In summary, the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus Christ has two natures – divine and human. He shares in the full deity of the Father and Holy Spirit, yet also shared in human nature through the incarnation. This hypostatic union of Christ’s two natures in one person is essential to orthodox Christian theology.
Key Biblical Support
Here are some additional key Bible verses that support the doctrine of Christ having two natures:
- “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
- “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:5-7).
- “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9).
- “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:1-3).
These and other scriptural texts demonstrate that Christ has a divine nature as the eternal Son of God, the agent of creation, and the divine image-bearer – yet He also took on human nature culminating in the incarnation. This hypostatic union allowed Him to represent both God and humanity perfectly in order to accomplish redemption for sinners.
Historical Background
The doctrine of Christ having two natures – divine and human – was formally articulated by the early church councils in response to various heresies that denied either Christ’s true humanity or deity. The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD set forth the orthodox position:
We, then, following the holy Fathers, all with one consent, teach men to confess one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man, of a reasonable [rational] soul and body; consubstantial [co-essential] with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood; in all things like unto us, without sin; begotten before all ages of the Father according to the Godhead, and in these latter days, for us and for our salvation, born of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, according to the Manhood; one and the same Christ, Son, Lord, only begotten, to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably;
This definition summarized the biblical teaching and helped distinguish orthodox Christian belief from heretical views of Christ. Church history records various heresies that denied either Christ’s true deity (such as Arianism and Socinianism) or His true humanity (such as Docetism and Gnosticism). The doctrine of Christ’s two natures affirms what the Bible teaches about the full divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ.
Theological Implications
Understanding that Jesus Christ has two natures – divine and human – is extremely significant and has important theological implications:
- Redemption – For Christ to serve as mediator and savior, He had to be both God and man. As the God-man, He bridged the gap between God and humans to make redemption possible (1 Timothy 2:5).
- Model for believers – Christ gives believers an example to follow in both His divine and human natures – we are to emulate His humanity while also partaking of the divine nature by the Spirit (1 Peter 2:21, 2 Peter 1:4).
- Victory over sin and death – By inhabiting flesh/humanity and overcoming sin and death, Christ achieved victory on man’s behalf as our representative (Romans 6:5-11, 1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
- High priestly ministry – Being fully human allows Christ to sympathize with our weaknesses as our great high priest even though He is sinless (Hebrews 4:15).
- Authority to judge – As both God and man, Christ has the authority to judge all humanity on God’s behalf (John 5:27, Acts 10:42).
In summary, Christ’s dual nature as both divine and human is essential to His identity and mission. This historic, orthodox doctrine is anchored in Scripture and has important theological implications for Christ’s saving work on man’s behalf.
Objections and Responses
Throughout history, there have been objections raised against the doctrine of Christ having two natures. Here are some common objections along with brief responses:
- Objection: Jesus cannot be both God and man – that is illogical and self-contradictory.
- Response: While this exceeds full human comprehension, God’s ways surpass human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). The hypostatic union of Christ’s natures is a divine mystery that must be accepted in faith based on special revelation.
- Objection: The Gospels portray Jesus as fully human – they do not support His claim to deity.
- Response: The Gospels present a holistic portrait of Christ that includes clear manifestations of His divine nature and prerogatives along with His human nature.
- Objection: Claiming divinity for Jesus leads to polytheism, contradicting biblical monotheism.
- Response: Orthodox Christianity adamantly maintains monotheism – there is only one God in three co-equal, co-eternal persons: Father, Son, and Spirit.
- Objection: Human and divine natures cannot coexist without one diluting the other.
- Response: In the mystery of the incarnation, Christ’s divine and human natures remain distinct yet indivisibly united in His one person.
While sincere objections may be raised, upon close examination the biblical evidence strongly affirms Christ’s dual nature as God and man. Reason alone is insufficient – divine revelation is required to apprehend this essential truth.
Practical Implications
The doctrine of Christ’s two natures is not merely abstract theology – it has profound practical implications for Christian living. Here are some ways this doctrine impacts the everyday life of believers:
- Our worship gains joy and meaning as we praise Jesus Christ as Lord of glory condescended to be crucified for our salvation.
- We have confidence to draw near to Christ in prayer knowing He understands our human frailties while also possessing divine power and majesty.
- We have a model to follow in using our earthly resources to serve others as Christ used His divine rights and privileges to serve humanity in humility.
- We find motivation to resist sin and temptation by remembering Christ’s sinless victory over temptation as a man dependent on God.
- We are inspired to proclaim Christ boldly knowing people’s eternal destiny hinges on responding properly to the God-man Jesus according to Scripture.
- We demonstrate love for others by affirming both the material/physical and spiritual aspects of human nature that Christ’s incarnation elevated and redeemed.
Rather than being an abstract theological concept, the truth of Christ’s dual nature transforms every aspect of our lives and gives us a God-centered, gospel-fueled purpose for our earthly existence.
Conclusion
In summary, the biblical evidence clearly affirms that Jesus Christ possesses two natures – He is fully divine as the eternal Son of God yet also humbled Himself by becoming fully human through the incarnation. Church history reflects this essential truth in the doctrine of the hypostatic union. While this exceeds human comprehension, God’s special revelation enables us to accept it by faith. The truth of Christ’s dual nature provides the only adequate theological foundation for understanding His redemptive work on our behalf. This vital doctrine impacts our lives practically by worshiping Christ appropriately, gaining confidence in prayer, finding motivation to resist sin, proclaiming the gospel, demonstrating Christ-like love, and much more. All glory and honor is due to our Lord Jesus Christ – fully God and fully man in one magnificent person!