John 15:1-16:16 (Theology - Nature and Will)

Okay class, since you have such a keen understanding now of nature and will, I want you to be aware of the different thoughts in Christianity concerning these things. Because of your religious background, your studies may have led you to one place or the other. None of us know for sure, because the nature and will of Jesus Christ is first and foremost of God, and we cannot know God completely in our limited human being. However, we have studied the nature of Jesus Christ in three studies now, and we each should have an idea about what we believe.

Putting it in really tough words...Do you believe that Jesus' nature and will are joined in a Hypostatic Union, or as the views expressed by Monophysitism, Nestorianism, or Monotheletism.

Wow! Those are tough words aren't they! These three different beliefs have caused alot of heartache, persecution, death, and separation of the Christian Church. Do you want to know what these words mean?

1. Hypostatic Union - Some believe that Jesus Christ had both natures of God and Human within him while he walked upon the earth as well as two wills, both human and divine.

2. Monophysitism - Some believe there is only one inseparable nature (partly divine, partly and subordinately human) in the person of Christ.

3. Nestorianism - Some believe that Jesus Christ existed as two persons; as the human being Jesus Christ, and also as the Son of God with two different natures and two different wills.

4. Monotheletism - Some say that Jesus Christ had two natures, but only one will.

So, why is this important to know?

It is not critical to faith...but it is critical to knowing your Lord. You cannot come close to him intimately if you do not know his nature. That would be no different than us doing a Bible Study together and not sharing our nature, will, personality, intellect, emotion, self-awareness and self-determination. It would be a weak Bible Study, wouldn't it?

We must meet Jesus in Truth, and learn his nature, to know him. But here's the problem...man got involved in defining set beliefs, that often are not reflected in the Word of God. Here's even a bigger problem...I believe that the things we have learned in these last few studies lead us to know the nature of Christ very well...yet, not one 5th century belief covers that Truth completely.

In the 5-7th century, the old guys defined belief at that time, and established churches enforcing that belief. That's how things got so skewed back then, and thats why religion is often so confusing to us today.

Please don't get me wrong on this one...many religious practices are established by God and bring glory to Him! However, bad theology prevents people from getting closer to Him. It's always better to learn what the Word of God reveals through His Word and His Moving, and try to apply that knowledge to our practice of faith.

So, class, what do you believe at this point in your study? (Make sure you explain why you believe the way you do!)

Did Jesus Christ have two natures, one divine and one human, with two different wills (Joined together when he was on earth)?

Did Jesus Christ have one nature, with divine and human combined, and only one will?

Was Jesus Christ two different people entirely, with separate natures and wills?

Did Jesus Christ have two natures, with only one will?

Did Jesus Christ have two natures, one which stayed in Heaven, and one which he possessed on this earth, with one will that reflected the Will of His Father?

Make sure you commit to a belief and tell us why! That helps firm your belief up into a place that cannot be confused easily.