Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 46:184 (Oct 1889)
Article: The Idea Of Law In Christology
Author: Elias Henry Johnson

BSac 46:184 (Oct 1889) p. 599

The Idea Of Law In Christology

The Rev. E. H. Johnson

Advance can be made in the doctrine of the person of Christ, providing new facts with regard to him are brought to view, or old facts interpreted by a better method. For new facts, we have the light which modern physiology throws on the workings of the human mind; since it will be admitted that a more exact knowledge of man leads to a fuller understanding of Christ. As to method, the modern conscientiousness in subjecting theories to the test of fact, of all pertinent fact, is abundantly exhibited in the recent biographies of Jesus, and cannot be withheld from reinvestigating his nature and person. Some modification of view will almost inevitably follow the strict employment of the inductive method, because the venerable theories of the church were not framed in this way; and Protestants, notwithstanding their boasted deference to the facts of the Bible, have accepted without question not a little of ancient dogma. The ancient procedure was by deduction from accepted beliefs, even as to matters too large for human logic to handle. For example, it was first agreed that Christ is divine, and then so and so was inferred concerning him. But so and so was sometimes an inference that the facts would never suggest, and only by force can be made to fit.

Of all facts which an inductive study concerning the nature and person of our Lord must now take into account, the most significant is the fact of law. No ques-

BSac 46:184 (Oct 1889) p. 600

tionable idea as to law need be advanced. It is enough for the present purpose if we agree that law is an order of facts, and that this order is part of the nature of the facts. In giving things their natures God gave them their laws.

It is plain, therefore, that any statement as to any department of the being of Christ which proves contrary to the known law of that department, is contrary to his nature, and cannot possibly be true. We may mistake the law, but in that case we must mistake our Lord. So potent for good or ill is the idea of law.

In applying this idea to the person of Christ we will, first, test by it some of the more noteworthy theories; secondly, ascertain what are the main facts concerning him; and, thirdly, make use of certain little considered laws to construe those facts into a provisional theory of his nature and person.

I. Will the more important theories concerning our Lord bear the test of an appeal to facts, especially to the fact of known law?

The docetic fancy, that Christ had only the appearance of human nature, was in so plain defiance of reality that an early Father said, “Whoever teaches that Christ is only an apparent man, is himself...