For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

In this final lesson in the sub-series on Christ as understood through the course of the history of the church, we will focus on the period  from the Reformation onward. Listen to 500 Years of Alternative Christs (25 minutes).

Christ as depicted in theology, practice, and art

• Theology -- often tends to follow practice (trends)
• Action
• Art
  • Iconography -- from aniconic art to depictions of Deity
  • Increasingly powerful imagery -- from Shepherd to Greek god to warrior
  • And in our modern period, Christ is even insulted in art. (See, e.g., Andres Serrano's 1987 Piss Christ.)
  • This could easily be another podcast series!

The Reformation

• A more biblically balanced view, yet (eventually)…
  • Ritual and empty motions deemphasized.
  • Faith and individual obedience stressed.
  • Yet Christ is still a political figure
    • Luther, Calvin, and others
    • Radical Reformation (Anabaptists) tend to be apolitical.
• The end result, especially in the absence of critical thinking about government and society, and the increase of individualism, is a more permissive Christ

From Reformation & Modern Christs: Jesus Hijacked in the absence of scriptural controls

• Che Jesus (Liberation Theology)
• Gay Jesus (LGBT agenda)
• Guru Jesus (Eastern religion)
• ET Jesus

Christ in Evangelicalism

• Evangelicals hold to 3 central teachings:
  • Christ is the Son of God
  • The Bible is the Word of God
  • We are not born Christians, but must willingly be born again.
• Yet most evangelicals today go beyond what is written, in subscribing to the Sinner's Prayer.
  • Revelation 3:20 becomes a proof-text on how to be saved, even though it isn't addressing outsiders, but insiders.
  • Christ is shivering in the cold; please let him in! We are to ask him into our lives by means of a prayer.
• Most evangelicals and other Protestants teach a tame, non-judgmental Christ—one who is “nice."
  • We worship a "nice" God (not too judgmental), and a "nice" Christ (one who won't be too radical or rock the boat).
  • We need to find a "nice" church.
  • We need to be "nice" people.
• Favorite verses in evangelicalism:
  • John 3:16 -- but what about vv.5 and 21?
  • Ephesians 2:8 -- but what about v.10?
  • Romans 10:9 -- but what about v.13 (Acts 22:16), and 6:3?
  • Revelation 3:20 -- but what about vv.15-19?
• Specific study: Revelation 3:14-22
  • Divine (v.14)
  • Demanding (vv.15-16)
  • Challenges materialism (vv.17-18)
  • Disciplining (v.19)
  • Desires connection (v.20)
  • Christus Victor but not in the medieval sense (v.21)
  • One standard for all followers of Christ (v.22)

Conclusion

• The Jesus of the N.T. is the only true Christ.
• He has promised to live in us (John 14)—which has significant lifestyle implications.
• It's up to us to show the world the true Christ: through our lives and our teaching.

Final 3 podcasts -- Christ Refracted in the World: Polytheists, Monotheists, Atheists