According to some on a recently closed thread, Christ had two natures.
I do not hold this view.
Christ was "God in the flesh" and that in that statement He had no dual competing natures as believers must contend, but a single nature as the Scriptures state - fully God and fully human.
The Nicene creed and LBC (1689) both reflecting this phenomena. The Holy God Nature of the Word (being coexistent and equal with God) and the nature of human without sin (as the First Adam was created - formed without sin) were united and became the single nature of The Lord Jesus Christ. The two natures did not "coexistent" but became completely united and inseparable.
There is really no "likeness" to illustrate this phenomena. For if one considers any alloy or compound, the atomic particles can be separated out. Even "basic" atomic structure can be split. No human reasoned example can be found to give other than by seeing Christ and God in action and relationship to each other and toward creation. Even Christ said, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." And in another place, "I and the Father are one." Isaiah said, "...as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." Being completely human and completely God is nearly incomprehensible, and at best only in minor part grasp by human rationalization efforts.
It is important to emphasize that the "human nature" that currently rules over the unregenerate is NOT the pure nature in which Adam was created, but one that is sin filled and perverted.
The human nature that was united to that of the Nature of God (The Word) was the pre-fall Eden pure holy nature of the first Adam who could look God "in the eye - face to face" and fellowship together each evening. It knew no sin, nor was prone to sin. Yet, just as that first Adam, able to be tested and tempted in all points.
As the LBC 1689 states:
The statement does not hold that the "two natures" remained independent.
The statement states that they were "united" that they became "inseparably joined."
That is they became "one."
Because of this "oneness," the character and nature of the Father can be seen displayed in different characteristics than that of the Son and to which the Son actively submitted.
The Son, hungered, thirsted, got tired, was needy, in all points temped as humankind, and have a will that desires and hopes.
The Father cannot hunger, thirst, get tired, is not needy, cannot be tempted, and the will and/or desires of the Father are demands and commands.
The Father's will is/was considered a command by the Son to obey.
The desire and will of Christ showed longing and hope, but not necessarily fulfilled (think of weeping over Jerusalem) in obedience.
Christ did not have "multiple personality disorder."
He had one perfect united nature - fully God man.
Therefore, God hath highly exalted Him.
I do not hold this view.
Christ was "God in the flesh" and that in that statement He had no dual competing natures as believers must contend, but a single nature as the Scriptures state - fully God and fully human.
The Nicene creed and LBC (1689) both reflecting this phenomena. The Holy God Nature of the Word (being coexistent and equal with God) and the nature of human without sin (as the First Adam was created - formed without sin) were united and became the single nature of The Lord Jesus Christ. The two natures did not "coexistent" but became completely united and inseparable.
There is really no "likeness" to illustrate this phenomena. For if one considers any alloy or compound, the atomic particles can be separated out. Even "basic" atomic structure can be split. No human reasoned example can be found to give other than by seeing Christ and God in action and relationship to each other and toward creation. Even Christ said, "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." And in another place, "I and the Father are one." Isaiah said, "...as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." Being completely human and completely God is nearly incomprehensible, and at best only in minor part grasp by human rationalization efforts.
It is important to emphasize that the "human nature" that currently rules over the unregenerate is NOT the pure nature in which Adam was created, but one that is sin filled and perverted.
The human nature that was united to that of the Nature of God (The Word) was the pre-fall Eden pure holy nature of the first Adam who could look God "in the eye - face to face" and fellowship together each evening. It knew no sin, nor was prone to sin. Yet, just as that first Adam, able to be tested and tempted in all points.
As the LBC 1689 states:
"...according to the Scriptures; so that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion; which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only mediator between God and man... The Lord Jesus, in his human nature thus united to the divine, in the person of the Son..."
The statement does not hold that the "two natures" remained independent.
The statement states that they were "united" that they became "inseparably joined."
That is they became "one."
Because of this "oneness," the character and nature of the Father can be seen displayed in different characteristics than that of the Son and to which the Son actively submitted.
The Son, hungered, thirsted, got tired, was needy, in all points temped as humankind, and have a will that desires and hopes.
The Father cannot hunger, thirst, get tired, is not needy, cannot be tempted, and the will and/or desires of the Father are demands and commands.
The Father's will is/was considered a command by the Son to obey.
The desire and will of Christ showed longing and hope, but not necessarily fulfilled (think of weeping over Jerusalem) in obedience.
Christ did not have "multiple personality disorder."
He had one perfect united nature - fully God man.
Therefore, God hath highly exalted Him.
