CHRISTOLOGICAL REFLECTION FROM ASIA
1. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
The Person of Jesus
The Person of Jesus
Jesus was a messenger
of God. This message was teacher he use the term Guru. Jesus was a moral
teacher but not a divine son of God. The title son basically shows the creative
nature of Jesus and natural impurity with the Father. The power that Jesus
manifested was really not his power but it was delegated by God the father.
Jesus relationship
between Father was not one on identical but only in term of will. Jesus carried the will of the Father.
The miracles of Jesus
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Jesus’s teaching can
attract the Indians.
The Work of Jesus
He rejected
vicarious sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Christian believes that we are
saved by the death of Jesus Christ.
saved and saves
people through his teaching not through his sacrificial death.
If we follow the
teaching of we will be saved. (Humanity will be saved).
The teaching of
encouraged the repentance.
How do we get
salvation? According to raja ram, Salvation not through the blood of but
through the following the precepts of Jesus Christ.
Jesus death is the
supreme example of his teaching.
How do we get the
forgiveness of sin?
According to raja ram, the forgiveness of sin and divine grace is to
follow the teaching of Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is received through repentance
not through atonement death of Jesus Christ.
For Raja Ram, Jesus
is simple a GURU who has the pinnacle of spiritual realization and thus are
capable of directly transmitting that state to others through grace
2. Brahmabandhab
Upadhayaya
He develops Christology reflection within the frame work of vedantic philosophy. In other
word, He attempt to interpret Christ within the frame work of vedantic
philosophy. It is based on Upanishads.
The Nature of Jesus
Christ
Two natures are
united in Christ. Jesus was Nara (Human) and Hari (God). was
union of both Man and God. As the Nara Hari Jesus was both infinite and finite.
Jesus was both saguna (personal) and nirguna (impersonal). As an
infinite he was God as the finite he was human being.
Trinitarian
Christology
Interpreted in line
with trinity. And he interpreted with in the Upanishdic attribution to the
existence of brahama that is satchitananda.
Sat- truth- Father; Chit-
intelligence- Son; Ananda- Bliss- Holy Spirit.
Jesus is the Chit of
satchitananda. Other words, was the intelligent or consciousness of Brahman.
Other word, is the divine intelligence/ consciousness.
Understanding about
the Person of Christ
He rejected the
historical Jesus. Why because is Jesus cannot be limited within the history is
beyond history. But he emphasis the
Meta-physical Jesus. Because of Jesus’s primarily existence as divine being.
Who is Jesus for
him? is the image of Brahman. For him, Para-Brahman became incarnate in Jesus
Christ. Jesus incarnation was unique incarnation. Why because? Jesus
incarnation was the only incarnation of Brahman.
The work of Christ
became the
sacrifices for human salvation. was both
victim and priest. For him, destroyed the power of Sin by taking the cup of
human sin.
Incarnation and
Avatar
was not an Avatar.
If we say is Avatar, It is theological error.
Christ and Krishna:
According to him, Krishna belongs to realm of Maya. But Christ is beyond Maya.
And Krishna is the avatars of person Vishnu. But whereas Christ is God himself.
3. P. Chenchiah
Christological
reflection
Person of Christ: is permanently
human being. He was not like any other avatars who took of the human nature for
temporary purpose. And Jesus as a son of man Jesus had permanent humanity. For
him this Jesus was not absolute God as we believe but God standing in relation
to human being.
Jesus was God man
not God-man because God-man separates Jesus from God.
God man means Jesus
is the product of both God and man. And this product he called new creation.
Why Jesus is son of
God?
Because the spirit of God entered him. In other words, is the product of work
of Spirit
Why Jesus is Son of
man? Because
Jesus was born out of mother.
JESUS CHRIST is Adi-Purasha of New creation: In creation Jesus mounts
a step higher. It is not the preexistence of Jesus but his entry as the new form or
human being is the beauty of uniqueness of Jesus incarnation.
The word son basically shows the
measures of unity between God and Jesus.
In Aham Brahmasmi-
I am Brahman – that become reality. Jesus says “I and my Father are one”.
P. Chenchiah rejected
Jesus as Avatars.
When we say we are
Brahman we experience Moksha
Raw Fact of Christ:
For Chenchiah the
central fact of Christian life is direct experience with Christ. For Chenchiah
calls that raw fact of Christ is direct experience of Christ. For him in order
to have the direct the experience of Christ or Raw fact of Christ one must have
Anubhava of living Christ. In
Christ what is the fact of Christ: the basic fact of Christ is the birth of new
order in creation. The emergence of new life for humanity. Emergence of new
life not tainted or spoiled by sin. In
Jesus Christ, God translated an idea of new man into the fact of history.
Salvation: Salvation is the
process of reproducing the image of Christ of becoming Christ. Redemption is
effected not by the death of Jesus Christ. But the larger life of Jesus. For
him salvation is not just sinlessness but life in its fullness. Life fullness
nothing but reproducing Jesus Christ. According to him “Christianity is not primarily a doctrine of salvation but
the announcement of the advent of new creative order in Jesus Christ.”
The work of Christ
The work of Christ
consist in what he is in then what he did. His argument is based on
understanding of salvation. Salvation is
basically union with the Christ. In other word the believer is completely union
with the in all his life. Sayujya- State of being fully united with God.
“In union with Christ we are not
identifying with Christ in essence but we become a Christ” Paul says “I no longer but Christ lives in
me”. Gal: 2:20
New meaning of
salvation: We need to believe in JESUS CHRIST at the same time we have to live according to
Jesus Christ.
Understanding of the
kingdom of God
In order to establish
kingdom of god one had to reproduce Jesus. In other word, Reproducing will
establish kingdom of God.
What is evangelism-
Evangelism is reproducing Jesus Christ.
Two Aspect:
1. One becomes new
creation (Evangelist must become new creation)
2. We facilitates
other to become new creation
Understanding of
Cross:
Cross is the reserve
of Love. The powers of the world grappled with the reserve of love. The result,
the love won over the powers of this world. Like political, economic social,
etc.
Understanding of
Resurrection:
Resurrection is the
triumph of spirit over flesh
The triumph new
order or present order
The triumph of
Satyagraha over the passion of warriors and rulers.
4. V Chakkarai:
Jesus the Avatars.
Jesus Avatars was
once for all and Onetime events.
1. Jesus incarnation
was onetime events. But in Hinduism Avatars is a repeated event.
2. Jesus incarnation
was historical. Hindu is not historical and it is illusion
3. The nature of
Jesus incarnation is human form but in Hindu some are animal form, Samir,
human.
4. The purpose of
Jesus came to save both righteous and unrighteous. Hindu the Avatars came to
save only righteous people.
5. Jesus as an
Avatars maintains his identity that is Logos identity. Hindu Avatars normally
merged with the Vishnu. Once the Avatars work is done they will go back.
6. Jesus as an
Avatars is dynamic still lives and work through spirit. But Hindu Avatars is
not working.
7. Jesus work as the
mediators between God and human being.
Jesus as Avatars not
conceptually but linguistically.
What happened in
incarnation: In incarnation both God and human being entered into new face of
life. God adopted himself due to the needs of people.
Person of Christ
Jesus beings Rupa
to God. Means form to God. God can be seen on the face of Jesus. God is
un-manifested but Jesus is the manifested. Jesus is the manifestation of God
the un-manifestation. In Gods immanence takes special form. Jesus is Antaryamin means
indwellers in the hearts of the Bhaktas. Jesus is Sub-purusha- Jesus is
true man. Jesus is the original pattern after which we have been passion/
created. He was not tainted by sin. Why he was sinless person? Because he is
the true man. Sinlessness was Jesus’ free choice but not choice of God. Jesus is Mula-purusha- Jesus
is foundation of entire creation.
Miracles of is
miracles of sinlessness. Miracles tells us what kind of person he was.
Christ and spirit
Holy Spirit is the
at work in us. It is Jesus who works through the spirit. Holy Spirit is Christ
himself. The Spirit Christology. For him Holy Spirit is living Christ/ resurrected
Christ. 2 Corinthians 3: 17- Now the Lord is the Spirit. Jesus incarnation is
the act of experience of Holy Spirit. For chakkarai is not Holy Spirit but it
is Christ Himself.
Cross of Christ:
Cross is the symbol
and sign of Jesus’ sinlessness. On the cross you see Jesus’ egoless life. Cross opens the challenges by which divine
Shakti/ Energy/ Power flows in the history of humanity. The healing energy of moral and spiritual
restoration flows from the cross. On the
cross Jesus acted as a parama-vaidya (great physician) of the human soul. Sin
is basically deciesis, that the reason taking all the punishment himself. Shakti of redemptive sacrifices of is the
“Kriya” Shakti (Active energy) of the new order on this earth. Jesus ‘Death: Yajna means sacrifice. When we
eat Jesus’ body and drink Jesus’ blood and Shakti emerged in the Eucharist
elements. Cross is two Niskamya karma
means selfless work. This cross is the reconciliation of Law and love,
reconciliation of karma and Jnana.
Jesus’ of history
and Jesus of experience
What is the
relationship between Jesus’ of history and Jesus of experience? Jesus’ of
history refers to knowledge about Christ. Christ of experience refers to
experience in Jesus
Kenosis of Jesus of
history is the Christ of faith/experience emerges.
Jesus + Christ
combination is the new thing which connected God and Human being.
His famous
Christological statement is 'Jesus as the Avatara'.
For V. Chakkarai
Incarnation Avatara
1. Once for all/ One
time event. 1. Related phenomena
2. It is
historical.
2. Not historical but illusions
3. It was human
form. 3. Not consistent,
some are semi human, animals or humans
4. Purpose-came to
save both the righteous and non righteous. 4. Only for righteous from non
righteous
5. Maintains his
identity (Logos). 5. Normally merged
with Vishnu
6. Jesus incarnation
is dynamic schools works through Spirit. 6. Not working
He calls Jesus as
incarnation in terms of Conceptually but linguistically.
Both God and humans
enter into the new phase of life. God adapted himself into a needs of the
people. Christ translated the idea of new man into the fact of this Jesus
(history).
5. M.M Thomas
Person and work of
Jesus
Jesus is true man
God-for-Man. He also used Sanskrit terms Adipurasa and New Adam. He argues
Jesus has a divine humanity which he refers as a foundations of the humanism.
Jesus humanism is expressed in his self emptying and self sacrificing love.
Jesus maintained the unity of the divine will and divine consciousness also
Divine Communion. Jesus maintained this unity through his obedience and
righteousness. In Jesus God acted historically to established the Kingdom of
God. Jesus is God or savior and the body of the Church.
Incarnation, Death
and Resurrection
According to
M.M.Thomas God actions in human history. Jesus death is God's creative Love.
Cross basically exposed the adversaries of this world and misdirection of
humanity. The crucified Christ tells us the prototype of the humanity and the
source of humanization. Resurrection is gurantee of the humanhood will be
reinstated or restore incarnation, death and resurrection of Jesus portrayed
what means to be a human person.
Salvation and
Humanization
Humanization means
human inherent in the message of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the
foundation of Humanization and the model of Humanization. Jesus is the source of the
reveal of entire creation, every community and nation. "Acknowledge
Christ" (Jesus and Secular movement) Jesus was behind Indian Renaissance
through his life, teaching and selfless sacrifice for humanity. So, they
acknowledge Christ. M.M.Thomas interpret Jesus as the struggles of secular
movement for freedom. He argues that Jesus works in the movement which stands
for human freedom and dignity. Jesus is the savior of humanity, so he is behind
every desire for human freedom. The Christ who awaken the Western culture also awaken
and priests Indian culture for the gospel. Jesus was acknowledge by Indian
reformers and Jesus did works for the secular Indian which stands for the right
and freedom of the people.
6. S. J. Samartha
Samartha developed
his Christology from pluralistic context. He edify from his experienced and
witnessing from the multi faith condition.
Person of Christ
Jesus is darsana
(vision) of God and this Jesus lead us to New Dharma (way of life) and he
continue that humanity is not 'maya' of illusionary fact but Jesus is
real and genuine. He said Jesus of history and Christ of faith basically refers
to one person and would not be compartmentalized.
KINGDOM OF GOD
This is the central
message of God. The content of the message is not Jesus himself but God is the main
content. Jesus life and work indicates three main characteristics-
1. Comprehensiveness
(inclusiveness) it includes everyone comprehensively.
2. It is the
communitarian in nature (not individualistic)
3. Power relations.
Sharing is the rationale behind the power of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus as renouncer
Jesus renouncer his
home, person, position in order to free to do God's will and invite people
for/into the Kingdom of God.
Jesus become Jeevanmukta
a liberated human being while living on this earth. He said Jesus was like
Tyaga (renouncing everything), this Tyaga is 'kenosis'. Jesus kenosis is
renouncing everything according to S.J.Samartha. Jesus had the quality of Aparigraha
(non attachment to the things of the world). This quality brings Jesus closers
to Buddha and Gandhi and Asian leaders and made Asian figure. Renouncers
influence the people of Asians because the people respect who renounce
everything. Only the renouncer can bring the bearer of the Gospels to the poor
and even to the rich.
Cross-Resurrection
event
One has to speaks
cross-resurrection as a single event. Cross basically points to resurrection
and resurrection validate the cross. Jesus is a crucified-and-risen One. Which
empowered the disciples to preach the Gospels. This cross-Resurrection tells:
1. Evil forces can
be resisted in non violent way.
2. Cross-
Resurrection event reminded the sufferings of millions of people around the
world.
3. It is worth to
fight the evil forces and injustice even if our fight ends in failure.
4. Cross exposes the
power and the principalities of this world.
5. Cross can stand
without resurrection but resurrection does not have any values(can not stand)
without cross. Every resurrection has a cross but not every cross has a
resurrection at the end of death. Resurrection basically means God's indication
of Jesus life, ministry and death.
6. Christ is not the
possession of Christian alone, Christian interpretation of Christ cannot be
imposed. One Jesus has many Christologies.
Christologies from
above (rejection)
1. Christologies
from above does not do justice to the humanity of Jesus of Nazareth.
2. It underestimate
the significance of historical experiences.
3. It promotes that
only in Jesus God had revealed. This concept is a Stumbling blocks to our
neighbour.
4. It is against the
monotheistic faith, God is the ultimate reality and the source of salvation.
Theo centric
Christology
Helicopter
Christologies and Bullock Cart Christology
Helicopter
Christology refers to Christology from above whereas Bullock Cart refers to
Christology from below.
Helicopter
Christology makes lots of missiological noise it keeps up too much theological
dust that prevent people from hearing the voice and the seeing of vision of
descending divinity. Helicopter Christology is often unintelligible. This
Christological points to Western Christology.
Bullock Cart
Christology. It's being always touching the unpaved roads of Asia. It carries
the suffering, agony and the ground reality of the Asian context with different
dimensions.
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