What is Apollinarianism?

[Van]

Recently a well respected poster claimed my Christology was the heresy of Apollinarianism. I claimed it was not. I never acknowledged the poster was correct, because I did not, and the poster, as far as I know, never acknowledged I was right, either.

This failure to reach consensus is the bane of many of our threads, with no one admitting error and agreeing with the better explanation of scripture.

Lets start with a clear explanation of the doctrine of Apollinarianism. I derived this view from this website:
What is Apollinarianism?

The heresy called Apollinarianism, denied that Christ was "fully human" claiming "Jesus lacked the full human composition of body, mind, and spirit." [Emphasis added] This was also presented as Jesus "did not assume a complete human mind." [Emphasis added]

The counter view, proclaiming Apollinarianism to be heresy, rested on the view that Jesus needed a human spirit to have a complete human mind. The counter view supported their claim citing Hebrews 2:17 which reads in the NASB:

​

​

​

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. [Emphasis added] ​

Here in the above translation we find the misleading phrase "in all things" which could reasonable be construed to include a human spirit. However, a better translation would be "according to all necessary things" which would NOT imply all things.

Another aspect of the contrary view was Jesus grew in understanding based on Luke 2:52, which was thought to mean grew in "human understanding" rather than a divine understanding of our human condition. Again, the contrary to Apollinarianism view must be read into the text.

The bottom line objection the mistaken view of Apollinarianism is stated as: "if Christ did not take on a true human mind, then He did not fully share in the condition of humankind that He came to save." [Emphasis added]

The biblical view I tried to present differed from both of these opposing views based on what scripture actually teaches.

1) Jesus did not need a fallen or unfallen "human spirit" in order to experience our human condition. He had One Spirit, the divine Spirit of the Second Person of the Trinity.

2) Jesus emptied Himself, to become the "likeness of men." Philippians 2:7 Therefore He would learn, develop His mind, just as humans do.

3) Because Jesus had a flesh and blood body, with a human brain, and received information from His physical senses, eyes, ears, touch, e.t.c, just as we do, he was tempted in every way humans are, and therefore could be the perfect and just sacrifice for the sin of humanity.

 

[Ascetic X]

This is another murky topic that deserves careful consideration. How Jesus was both God and man has been investigated, pondered, and debated by theologians for many centuries. Each of us must do biblical research and come to some at least tentative conclusion.

It is similar to the question about “what did Jesus lay aside to humble Himself?” All His divine powers, or some of them, or just His celestial status?

 

[JesusFan]

Recently a well respected poster claimed my Christology was the heresy of Apollinarianism. I claimed it was not. I never acknowledged the poster was correct, because I did not, and the poster, as far as I know, never acknowledged I was right, either.

This failure to reach consensus is the bane of many of our threads, with no one admitting error and agreeing with the better explanation of scripture.

Lets start with a clear explanation of the doctrine of Apollinarianism. I derived this view from this website:
What is Apollinarianism?

The heresy called Apollinarianism, denied that Christ was "fully human" claiming "Jesus lacked the full human composition of body, mind, and spirit." [Emphasis added] This was also presented as Jesus "did not assume a complete human mind." [Emphasis added]

The counter view, proclaiming Apollinarianism to be heresy, rested on the view that Jesus needed a human spirit to have a complete human mind. The counter view supported their claim citing Hebrews 2:17 which reads in the NASB:

​

​

​

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. [Emphasis added] ​

Here in the above translation we find the misleading phrase "in all things" which could reasonable be construed to include a human spirit. However, a better translation would be "according to all necessary things" which would NOT imply all things.

Another aspect of the contrary view was Jesus grew in understanding based on Luke 2:52, which was thought to mean grew in "human understanding" rather than a divine understanding of our human condition. Again, the contrary to Apollinarianism view must be read into the text.

The bottom line objection the mistaken view of Apollinarianism is stated as: "if Christ did not take on a true human mind, then He did not fully share in the condition of humankind that He came to save." [Emphasis added]

The biblical view I tried to present differed from both of these opposing views based on what scripture actually teaches.

1) Jesus did not need a fallen or unfallen "human spirit" in order to experience our human condition. He had One Spirit, the divine Spirit of the Second Person of the Trinity.

2) Jesus emptied Himself, to become the "likeness of men." Philippians 2:7 Therefore He would learn, develop His mind, just as humans do.

3) Because Jesus had a flesh and blood body, with a human brain, and received information from His physical senses, eyes, ears, touch, e.t.c, just as we do, he was tempted in every way humans are, and therefore could be the perfect and just sacrifice for the sin of humanity.

So did jesus have a human soul and mind per your understanding then?

 

[Ascetic X]

So did jesus have a human soul and mind per your understanding then?

Yes. Jesus was fully human and fully God. So, He had a human mind and body. But He subjected His human mind to His Father’s will. To say He did not have a human mind means Jesus was only partially human, which is the assertion of Apollonarianism.

 

[percho]

IMHO

When Jesus stated, "Father, into thy hands of you I shall be placing the spirit of me," the soul and body named Jesus died.

For our sins.

The spirit of Jesus at that moment was in the hands of the Father.
The soul named Jesus at that moment found itself in Hades.
The body named Jesus was on the cross, then taken down and put in the tomb.

Three days and three nights later, the Father returned the spirit to the soul and body named Jesus, raising the soul from Hades and the body not having seen corruption out of the dead, giving Jesus the promise of the Holy Spirit, glorifying Jesus.

Jesus received the promise of God, who cannot lie, made, before of times, of ages; The hope of eternal life.


Therefore: Heb 2:17 YLT wherefore it did behove him in all things to be made like to the brethren, that he might become a kind and stedfast chief-priest in the things with God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people,

In all things seems correct to me for the Word made flesh.


but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made, Phil 2:7

 

[Ascetic X]

IMHO

When Jesus stated, "Father, into thy hands of you I shall be placing the spirit of me," the soul and body named Jesus died.

For our sins.

The spirit of Jesus at that moment was in the hands of the Father.
The soul named Jesus at that moment found itself in Hades.
The body named Jesus was on the cross, then taken down and put in the tomb.

Three days and three nights later, the Father returned the spirit to the soul and body named Jesus, raising the soul from Hades and the body not having seen corruption out of the dead, giving Jesus the promise of the Holy Spirit, glorifying Jesus.

Jesus received the promise of God, who cannot lie, made, before of times, of ages; The hope of eternal life.


Therefore: Heb 2:17 YLT wherefore it did behove him in all things to be made like to the brethren, that he might become a kind and stedfast chief-priest in the things with God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people,

In all things seems correct to me for the Word made flesh.


but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made, Phil 2:7

Did Jesus have a human mind?

That is the issue in Apollonarianism.

Here is another point that is controversial. When Jesus died, did His spirit go to hades? Or to paradise?

Did Jesus say to the thief on the cross “I say to thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise”…or “I say to thee, today thou shalt be with me in paradise?”

 

[percho]

Did Jesus have a human mind?

That is the issue in Apollonarianism.

Here is another point that is controversial. When Jesus died, did His spirit go to hades? Or to paradise?

Did Jesus say to the thief on the cross “I say to thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise”…or “I say to thee, today thou shalt be with me in paradise?”

The Word says he committed his spirit to the hands of the Father. Therefore I believe his spirit was with the Father, that is in the Father's charge.

The thief had said, " Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. or “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[fn]” [kingly power] and IMHO Jesus answered him, "I say to thee today, thou shalt be with me in [the] paradise."

I do not think he will be in the kingdom of Christ but will be in the kingdom delivered up to the Father.

see 1 Cor 15:23,24 YLT and each in his proper order, a first-fruit Christ, afterwards those who are the Christ's, in his presence, then -- the end, when he may deliver up the reign to God, even the Father, when he may have made useless all rule, and all authority and power --

25,26 for it behoveth him to reign till he may have put all the enemies under his feet -- the last enemy is done away -- death;

Me thinks from, in his presence to when the last enemy is done away is one thousand years, the Day of the Lord.

The thief will be in paradise when death is done away. IMHO

Edit to add. As to Apollinarianism, I am like Red in " Shawshank Redemption " " Red: I know what you think it means, sonny. To me, it's just a made up word.

 

[Ascetic X]

Edit to add. As to Apollinarianism, I am like Red in " Shawshank Redemption " " Red: I know what you think it means, sonny. To me, it's just a made up word.

Apollonarianism is not just a made up word. It has historical validity as a term for a heresy that was condemned in 381 AD. It taught that Jesus was only partially human, since He did not have a human mind.

Apollinarism - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Van]

IMHO

When Jesus stated, "Father, into thy hands of you I shall be placing the spirit of me," the soul and body named Jesus died.

For our sins.

The spirit of Jesus at that moment was in the hands of the Father.
The soul named Jesus at that moment found itself in Hades.
The body named Jesus was on the cross, then taken down and put in the tomb.

Three days and three nights later, the Father returned the spirit to the soul and body named Jesus, raising the soul from Hades and the body not having seen corruption out of the dead, giving Jesus the promise of the Holy Spirit, glorifying Jesus.

Jesus received the promise of God, who cannot lie, made, before of times, of ages; The hope of eternal life.


Therefore: Heb 2:17 YLT wherefore it did behove him in all things to be made like to the brethren, that he might become a kind and stedfast chief-priest in the things with God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people,

In all things seems correct to me for the Word made flesh.


but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made, Phil 2:7

Anyone can present human conjecture, but what we are supposed to present is biblical evidence.

If you look at your verse In all things, you will find it says "all" but does not say all of any specific thing, let alone all things. It is a mistranslation, expanding the contextual scope beyond reason.

 

[Van]

I see people implying Jesus had a human soul but not the human spirit that goes with it. That view is complete nonsense, IMHO. They are muddying the waters and NOT declaring Jesus did NOT have a "human spirit."

 

[percho]

Anyone can present human conjecture, but what we are supposed to present is biblical evidence.

If you look at your verse In all things, you will find it says "all" but does not say all of any specific thing, let alone all things. It is a mistranslation, expanding the contextual scope beyond reason.

Actually I agree with you that there is no Greek word there for, "things," . Matter of fact, all things, is used 220 times in the KJV and I do not think there is a Greek word for, "things," in any of them.

 

[JD731]

@Van
Jesus had a soul, a body, and the Spirit. He started at the same place Adam started and when we receive his Spirit we are renewed in his image, which is the image of God, trinitarian. You might remember that Adam was created in the image of God and then that image was marred by his sin. Jesus is the link, so to speak, between God and man to renew the image. I learned this from my KJV Bible because I have all the words that teaches this truth when they are believed. Another Bible might not have the right words and lends itself to many opinions but certainly not a consensus. God wants Christians to speak the same things and it is impossible if you have a multiple choice of sets of words attempting to learn the same truth. You might be unwittingly making this point with your post on this subject, I doubt anybody would be on this subject trying to explain it's meaning from the words of a KJV.
Who really cares what Apollinarianism is. It is extrabiblical and probably a good subject for a philosophy class.

 

[Ascetic X]

@Van
Who really cares what Apollinarianism is. It is extrabiblical and probably a good subject for a philosophy class.

Theologians and educated pastors care about what Apollonarianism is, for it is a heresy that pertains to Jesus being fully human and fully God. It is not a subject for a philosophy class.

 

[JesusFan]

Did Jesus have a human mind?

That is the issue in Apollonarianism.

Here is another point that is controversial. When Jesus died, did His spirit go to hades? Or to paradise?

Did Jesus say to the thief on the cross “I say to thee today, thou shalt be with me in paradise”…or “I say to thee, today thou shalt be with me in paradise?”

He went into hades, which at that time had places for lost and saved, holding rooms

 

[Van]

@Van
Jesus had a soul, a body, and the Spirit. He started at the same place Adam started and when we receive his Spirit we are renewed in his image, which is the image of God, trinitarian. You might remember that Adam was created in the image of God and then that image was marred by his sin. Jesus is the link, so to speak, between God and man to renew the image. I learned this from my KJV Bible because I have all the words that teaches this truth when they are believed. Another Bible might not have the right words and lends itself to many opinions but certainly not a consensus. God wants Christians to speak the same things and it is impossible if you have a multiple choice of sets of words attempting to learn the same truth. You might be unwittingly making this point with your post on this subject, I doubt anybody would be on this subject trying to explain it's meaning from the words of a KJV.
Who really cares what Apollinarianism is. It is extrabiblical and probably a good subject for a philosophy class.

This may be your view, but it is NOT biblical.

1) We have been born anew, "renewed" before we receive "His Spirit."
2) Yes, the Spirit with which we are indwelt is in the Person of the Holy Spirit, but also contains the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of the Father.
3) Yes Jesus is the "link" or uniting agent that allows reconciliation between us, in our fallen state, and God in His Holy State. He removes what God must hold against us by the washing of regeneration, also called the circumcision of Christ.
4) You could learn the above truths from non-KJV bibles.
5) It is NOT impossible for people using different words to believe in the same truths. Recall Pentecost?
6) It is important that bible students to be able to recognize false doctrines and false teachers.

 

[JD731]

Theologians and educated pastors care about what Apollonarianism is, for it is a heresy that pertains to Jesus being fully human and fully God. It is not a subject for a philosophy class.

Here is the truth that almost requires no study or meditation to know. The soul of man is the spiritual part of man and is eternal. The soul defines our personality and uniqueness, who we are. The body is the physical part of man and gives us earthly or physical consciousness and abilities. Following Adams sin the body was weak and not easily controllable. Remember what is said in the NT scriptures, "the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, and it says also that" the spirit wars against the flesh and the flesh against the spirit and ye cannot do what you would." The context is body and soul. Almost always sin is defined as a deed of the body. " and they were judged every man according to their works."RE20:13b. James would later define the process of sin in the following manner and the whole person is involved in it.

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
So by this limited amount of information we can see that it is not a sin to be born physically and the soul, the spiritual side of man, automates the body and gives it life as long as they are joined. Separate them and you have physical death. At this point the soul must go somewhere because it cannot function on the physical earth without a physical body.

But this was not the way God created Adam, the man who was to be the head of his creation and in his image. He was not just body and soul but he was indwelt by God in the person of his Spirit. We are told that God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Sin was not in the world at this time so sin did not rule over Adam. There was no evidence that Adam was a perfect man because he had not been tested. A temptation was allowed into his path that would test him and he, as James said, was drawn away by the temptation but still yet without sin being conceived. Now God tells us that when we are tempted to sin he always makes a way of escape that we may be able to bear the temptation and have victory. How then was Adam able to escape. Well he was only one of two men on the earth including Jesus Christ who was a tri-partite man, a trinity, and God indwelt him and was the power to overcome sin. You remember that Jesus Christ was tempted in all points like as we are yet without sin. How so? God, John said in chapter 3, had given to him the Spirit without measure and he was a tri-partite man from his birth. The Spirit was his righteousness and his power.

One needs to see this power in Adam. When God created him he described it as follows;

Ge 2:7 And the LORD God (Jehovah Eloyhim - the name that denotes plurality) formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. The breath of God is always in scripture associated with the life Spirit of God and in this sense the operative word in this description of Adam is the word "living." Adam did not just become a soul, but a living soul. It is by this creation that Adam became a tri-Partite man body and living soul denoting that God was in him. I remind you, and you probably are aware, that God calls every Christian a new creation in Christ Jesus in 2 Cor 5:17. He is a new creation because it is at that time of conversion that Jesus Christ enters his physical body to make him a tri-partite creature fit for the presence of God. Because of our weak bodies God has sealed us knowing we will not be capable of resisting all sin and he preserves us in Christ but Adam did not have that weakness. He was created with a glorious body that shined like the sun. He had God dwelling in him. There is no reason not to believe it was Jesus who indwelt him. When Adam allowed that lust to conceive and become sin, God could no longer dwell in him and he died spiritually as God departed and Adam began searching for a hiding place from God where he could cover his shame. Nine hundred and 30 years later he died physically.

Adam then is contrasted with Jesus Christ in this manner;

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Jesus Christ can and will renew a "living" soul to those of Adam's family because he can take away sin for he has died and rose again and has poured out his Spirit in abundance, like rain water that falls from heaven, that all sinners must do is open the mouth and drink him in.

I have touched the surface on this subject but you will excuse the somewhat long post here but I love thinking about these things concerning my Lord and I am trying to share things I have learned, hoping it is a blessing to others.

 

[Ascetic X]

Here is the truth that almost requires no study or meditation to know. The soul of man is the spiritual part of man and is eternal. The soul defines our personality and uniqueness, who we are. The body is the physical part of man and gives us earthly or physical consciousness and abilities. Following Adams sin the body was weak and not easily controllable. Remember what is said in the NT scriptures, "the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, and it says also that" the spirit wars against the flesh and the flesh against the spirit and ye cannot do what you would." The context is body and soul. Almost always sin is defined as a deed of the body. " and they were judged every man according to their works."RE20:13b. James would later define the process of sin in the following manner and the whole person is involved in it.

I understand soul to be the life force that animates a physical body. The spirit of a man is the unique personality. When the man is born again and the Holy Spirit enters and unites with the spirit of a man, then the man has a spiritual part. Until that new birth occurs, man is carnal, not spiritual.

Ezekiel 18:20

The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

[JD731]

I understand soul to be the life force that animates a physical body. The spirit of a man is the unique personality. When the man is born again and the Holy Spirit enters and unites with the spirit of a man, then the man has a spiritual part. Until that new birth occurs, man is carnal, not spiritual.

Ezekiel 18:20

The soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Tell that to the rich man in hell. You have not thought that through vey well, I think.