Christology

Christology is the branch of Christian theology that studies the person of Jesus Christ, focusing on his divine and human natures, how they relate in one person, and what his life and work reveal about God, creation, and salvation. It also examines the significance of Jesus’ incarnation, atonement, resurrection, and ongoing role in the church and world.

Historically, christology emerged from debates in the first centuries over the identity of Jesus. The council of Nicaea (325) affirmed the Son's eternal divinity and homoiousios with the Father. The council of Chalcedon (451) articulated the hypostatic union: one person in two complete natures, without confusion, without change, without division, and without separation. Earlier and later controversies—such as Arianism (denying eternal divinity), Nestorianism (dividing Christ into two persons), and Monophysitism (one nature, typically only divine)—prompted refinement of the doctrine. In many traditions, the term Theotokos (“God-bearer”) is used of Mary to emphasize the divine nature of the incarnate Word.

Key formulations in christology stress the pre-existence of the Word, the fullness of the divine and human natures in Jesus, and the unity of his person. These claims shape soteriology, doctrine of revelation, and ecclesial life. Different Christian traditions—Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, and Oriental Orthodox—hold to the Chalcedonian framework or its legitimate non-Chalcedonian variants, while continuing ongoing discussion about how Christ’s two natures are experienced and understood in theology and worship.