Who Do You Say That I Am?

As you may remember, about a month or so ago I started reading Jurgen Moltmann’s The Crucified God and blogged about it a couple of times. Unfortunately with schoolwork and other real-life projects I had to put the book down. Now I finally have the chance to pick it back up again, so let’s get our theology on!

Since I’m not a trained theologian, chapter 3 took a little more time and concentration than the previous two chapters. In this chapter, Moltmann examines two of the most common questions about Jesus: “Is Jesus true God?” and “Is Jesus true man?” After much philosophical and theological discussion, the answer finally comes in the form of another question: “Who do you say that I am?” And with Peter’s answer--”You are the Christ!”--Moltmann explains the essence of his “theology of hope:”

This question of Christ can only be answered by a new creation, in which the novelty which is Jesus is no longer a novelty, and his cross is no longer a scandal, and in which they have become the basis and the light of the kingdom. By confessing Jesus as the Christ, faith also confesses that this future of his is real. Its confession of Jesus does him justice when it also anticipates the future for the sake of which he existed, died and was raised . . . For it anticipates the future in which, as the Revelation of John (5:12) says, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” and “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (7:17).

So if I understand this correctly, it’s kinda like when Jesus says, “My sheep recognize my voice” (John 10:27). The way Jesus reveals himself to us convinces us that he is Lord. And when we acknowledge that Jesus is Christ, we acknowledge our faith that Jesus makes all things new.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.