Jesus Didn’t “Seem” to be Human
During Christmas, we sing songs celebrating the fact that God became flesh. Emmanuel, God with us. A few that come to mind:
"Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, Born this happy morning, Jesus, to Thee be all glory given; Son of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord. - O Come All Ye Faithful
"Christ, by highest heaven adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, Offspring of the Virgin's womb: Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th'incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel." - Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
"O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death's dark shadows put to flight." - O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Fully God, fully human. That’s our Jesus. In the early church, however, there was a challenge to the faith where people claimed that Jesus only seemed to be human. Many argue that John’s letters were written, at least in part, to make it clear that Jesus truly became human.
What is Docetism?
Docetism was a heretical belief in the early church that denied the reality of Jesus' physical body. Docetists claimed that Jesus only appeared to be human, while his true nature was purely divine. This doctrine posed a serious threat to the Christian faith, as it undermined the core tenets of the gospel, such as the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 John's Counter-Arguments
Throughout the book of 1 John, the apostle John provides strong counter-arguments against Docetism. He emphasizes the reality of Jesus' human nature through various means:
Witnessing the physical Jesus: John emphasizes his personal experience with Jesus, claiming to have witnessed his life, heard his words, and even touched him (1 John 1:1-3). This firsthand account serves as a powerful testimony to the physical reality of Jesus' existence.
Jesus's humanity and divinity are inseparable: John repeatedly asserts that Jesus is both fully God and fully human. He writes, "This is how you may know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God" (1 John 4:2). This statement clearly identifies Docetism as a false teaching and emphasizes the inseparable nature of Jesus' dual nature.
The importance of Jesus' physical body: John emphasizes the importance of Jesus' physical body in the context of salvation. He writes, "The blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). This verse emphasizes the necessity of Jesus' physical body for the shedding of blood and the accomplishment of redemption.
Consequences of Docetism
Docetism's denial of Jesus' human nature has significant consequences for the Christian faith:
Undermines the incarnation: The Christian belief is that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. Docetism undermines this core tenet by denying the reality of Jesus' human nature.
Devalues the significance of Jesus' sacrifice: If Jesus was not truly human, then his suffering and death on the cross lose their significance. His sacrifice becomes a mere illusion, rendering the gospel message powerless.
Erodes the foundations of Christian ethics: If Jesus was not truly human, then his example of love, humility, and service becomes irrelevant. Docetism removes the human element from Christian ethics, making it difficult to follow in Jesus' footsteps.
Conclusion
The book of 1 John stands as a powerful defense against the false teachings of Docetism. By emphasizing the reality of Jesus' human nature and its significance for salvation, John provides a clear and unwavering testimony to the truth of the Christian faith. His teachings continue to be relevant today, reminding us that Jesus Christ was truly God and truly human, and that his sacrifice on the cross is the only source of hope and salvation for humanity.
This blog post serves as a brief overview of 1 John's teachings against Docetism. Further study of the book can provide a deeper understanding of John's arguments and their enduring significance for the Christian faith.
This Christmas, remember the true meaning of “Emmanuel.” God is truly with us!
With You;
Pastor Tim
