A Biblical Perspective
Nestorianism is a significant Christological doctrine named after Nestorius, who was the Patriarch of Constantinople in the early 5th century. The doctrine arose from debates about the nature of Christ and the relationship between His divine and human natures. Nestorianism posits that Jesus Christ has two separate persons—one divine and one human—rather than a unified person with both divine and human natures. This belief diverges from the orthodox Christian understanding of the hypostatic union, which asserts that Jesus is one person with two natures, fully divine and fully human.
The controversy surrounding Nestorianism led to significant theological debates within the early Church, culminating in the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD, where Nestorianism was condemned as heretical. The council affirmed the doctrine of the hypostatic union, which was later solidified at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD.
This exposé will explore the apologetic arguments against Nestorianism, firmly grounded in biblical scriptures, and demonstrate the coherence and validity of the orthodox Christian belief in the unified person of Jesus Christ.
The Nature of Nestorianism
Key tenets of Nestorianism include:
- Two Separate Persons: The belief that Jesus Christ consists of two distinct persons—one divine (the Word) and one human (Jesus of Nazareth).
- Rejection of Theotokos: The denial that Mary can be called Theotokos (God-bearer), arguing instead that she should be called Christotokos (Christ-bearer), as she gave birth to the human Jesus, not the divine Word.
- Separate Experiences: The view that the divine and human persons in Christ experienced life, suffering, and death separately, rather than in a unified manner.
Biblical Apologetic Arguments Against Nestorianism
1. The Unity of Christ’s Person
- Argument: The Bible consistently portrays Jesus Christ as a single, unified person with both divine and human natures.
- Scriptural Defense:
John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This verse affirms that the divine Word (Logos) became flesh, indicating a unified person.
Philippians 2:5-7: “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” This passage emphasizes the unity of Jesus’ divine and human natures in one person.
2. The Title Theotokos
- Argument: The title Theotokos (God-bearer) for Mary is biblically supported, affirming the unity of Christ’s person.
- Scriptural Defense:
Luke 1:43: Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, refers to Mary as “the mother of my Lord” (Greek: κυρία μου, kyriou mou), acknowledging the divine nature of the child she carries.
Galatians 4:4: “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” This verse supports the idea that the divine Son of God was born of Mary, affirming her role as Theotokos.
3. The Hypostatic Union
- Argument: The Bible supports the doctrine of the hypostatic union, which teaches that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures—fully divine and fully human.
- Scriptural Defense:
Colossians 2:9: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.” This passage emphasizes that the fullness of deity and humanity coexist in the one person of Christ.
Hebrews 1:3: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” This verse highlights the divine and human aspects of Christ in one person.
4. The Unified Experience of Christ
- Argument: The Bible portrays the experiences of Jesus Christ—His life, suffering, death, and resurrection—as the unified experiences of one person.
- Scriptural Defense:
1 Peter 3:18: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” This verse indicates that the same person, Christ, experienced both death and resurrection.
John 19:30: “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” The unified person of Jesus experiences and completes His sacrificial work on the cross.
5. The Intercession of Christ
- Argument: The Bible supports the view that the unified person of Jesus Christ intercedes for humanity.
- Scriptural Defense:
Hebrews 7:25: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” This passage emphasizes the ongoing intercessory role of the unified Christ.
Addressing Common Nestorian Claims
- Claim: “Jesus Christ consists of two separate persons—one divine and one human.”
- Response: John 1:14 and Philippians 2:5-7 affirm the unity of Christ’s person, indicating that the divine Word became flesh and took on human nature without division.
- Claim: “Mary should be called Christotokos (Christ-bearer) rather than Theotokos (God-bearer).”
- Response: Luke 1:43 and Galatians 4:4 support the title Theotokos, as Mary is acknowledged as the mother of the divine Lord and the one who gave birth to the Son of God.
- Claim: “The divine and human natures of Christ experienced life and death separately.”
- Response: 1 Peter 3:18 and John 19:30 emphasize that the unified person of Christ experienced both suffering, death, and resurrection, affirming the hypostatic union.
- Claim: “The divine nature of Christ cannot suffer or die.”
- Response: While the divine nature itself is impassible, Philippians 2:6-8 explains that the person of Jesus, who is both divine and human, humbled Himself and took on human form to suffer and die for humanity.
- Claim: “The intercession of Christ is only through His divine nature.”
- Response: Hebrews 7:25 and Romans 8:34 affirm that the unified person of Christ, who is both divine and human, continually intercedes for believers.
Conclusion
Nestorianism presents a significant theological challenge by asserting the separation of Christ’s divine and human natures into two distinct persons. However, a thorough examination of biblical scriptures provides a robust defense against Nestorian claims, affirming the unity of Christ’s person in the hypostatic union. By grounding their arguments in the clear teachings of the Bible, Christian apologists uphold the truth of the unified person of Jesus Christ, who is fully divine and fully human. This defense ensures the preservation of orthodox Christian doctrine against heretical beliefs, maintaining the coherence and integrity of the Christian faith.
