Semalsia Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 Here's something I've never really understood about Christianity. If Jesus was born 2000 years ago, then does that mean Jesus didn't exist before that? But isn't Jesus God? Or part of God. Or part of God's personality. Or something like that. Anyway, if Jesus didn't exist before he was born, then does that mean God changed when Jesus came to existence? Obviously no trinity could have existed if Jesus didn't either. But then again, isn't that impossible, if God is supposed to be unchangeable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dspen2005 Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 Jesus has existed before all time -- 'in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God'. In the human manifestation of God, Jesus was born 2000 years ago. FOr us, creatures, we think in a linear fashion -- but God is eternity -- there is no time with God. He simply 'is'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dspen2005 Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 to put it even better -- Good assumed our human nature, without any loss of his divinity, 2000 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fidei Defensor Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 The Person of the Son (Jesus) has always existed as part of the Trinity. However, 2000 years ago, the Son became incarnate and took on human flesh. So Jesus has always existed, but he hasnt always existed as incarnate. His taking on of flesh is a unique event in the history of time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semalsia Posted March 4, 2006 Author Share Posted March 4, 2006 So was being human a part of the nature of Jesus? That would mean human nature existed before it was created. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Domini Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 (edited) Whoa whoa whoa people lets not be confused. Jesus has not always existed. The word 'Son' is not a biological designation it is a word that describes the eternal relationship between the Unbegotten Father and the begotten Word generated from him. The Word has existed before all the ages but He did not take on a human nature until 2000 years ago. I recommend reading the letter of St Cyril of Alexandria, Doctor of the Incarnation, [url="http://www.monachos.net/patristics/christology/cyril_johnantioch.shtml"]to John of Antioch[/url] and his [url="http://www.monachos.net/patristics/christology/cyril_to_nestorius_2.shtml"]Second Epistle of Cyril to Nestorius[/url]. Edited March 4, 2006 by Myles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semalsia Posted March 4, 2006 Author Share Posted March 4, 2006 Jesus is a word that God spoke? And not God himself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JeffCR07 Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 as John said, "the word [i]was[/i] God" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaime Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 Christ is fully human and fully divine. The divine nature of Christ has always been. The human nature of Christ was born to Mary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Domini Posted March 4, 2006 Share Posted March 4, 2006 (edited) [quote name='Semalsia' date='Mar 4 2006, 09:39 PM']Jesus is a word that God spoke? And not God himself? [right][snapback]902991[/snapback][/right] [/quote] [url="http://www.newadvent.org/summa/103401.htm"]Sum.Theol. 1,34,1: Whether Word in God is a personal name?[/url] [url="http://www.newadvent.org/summa/103402.htm"]Sum.Theol.1,34,2: Whether "Word" is the Son's proper name?[/url] [url="http://www.newadvent.org/summa/103403.htm"]Sum.Theol.1,43,3: Whether the name "Word" imports relation to creatures?[/url] Edited March 4, 2006 by Myles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semalsia Posted March 5, 2006 Author Share Posted March 5, 2006 Oh well, I guess this is just one of those things I will never understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myles Domini Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 [quote name='Semalsia' date='Mar 4 2006, 11:09 PM']Oh well, I guess this is just one of those things I will never understand. [right][snapback]903024[/snapback][/right] [/quote] Why? Everything you need to know was explained in the links provided by Sts Cyril and Aquinas. I dont see what you need to know that they did not cover? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EcceNovaFacioOmni Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 Catechism of the Catholic Church: [quote][b]479[/b] At the time appointed by God, the only Son of the Father, the eternal Word, that is, the Word and substantial Image of the Father, became incarnate; without losing his divine nature he has assumed human nature. [b]480[/b] Jesus Christ is true God and true man, in the unity of his divine person; for this reason he is the one and only mediator between God and men. [b]481[/b] Jesus Christ possesses two natures, one divine and the other human, not confused, but united in the one person of God's Son.[/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Semalsia Posted March 5, 2006 Author Share Posted March 5, 2006 [quote]Why? Everything you need to know was explained in the links provided by Sts Cyril and Aquinas. I dont see what you need to know that they did not cover? [/quote] There's a difference between knowing the answer and understanding it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Adam Posted March 5, 2006 Share Posted March 5, 2006 [quote name='Semalsia' date='Mar 4 2006, 07:31 PM']There's a difference between knowing the answer and understanding it. [right][snapback]903074[/snapback][/right] [/quote] If you fully understand God, he would not be God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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