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Fully divine

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The term 'fully divine' refers to the complete and total nature of Jesus Christ's divinity, asserting that he possesses the same divine essence as God the Father. This concept is central to understanding Christology, as it establishes that Jesus is not merely a human being with some divine qualities but is entirely and wholly God in nature. This belief is crucial for various Christian doctrines, including the Trinity and the Incarnation, highlighting the complexity of Jesus' identity as both fully God and fully man.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The concept of being 'fully divine' emphasizes that Jesus is co-eternal with God the Father, sharing in all divine attributes such as omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence.
  2. This belief was formally affirmed at the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, which addressed the Arian controversy regarding the nature of Christ's divinity.
  3. Fully divine status helps to reinforce the belief in salvation through Jesus, as only a divine being could bridge the gap between humanity and God due to sin.
  4. Different heretical views, such as Arianism, challenged the idea of Jesus' full divinity by proposing that he was a created being rather than fully God.
  5. Understanding Jesus as fully divine is essential for interpreting key biblical texts that affirm his divine authority and role in creation.

Review Questions

  • How does the term 'fully divine' enhance our understanding of Jesus' role within the Trinity?
    • 'Fully divine' underscores that Jesus is not separate or inferior to God the Father within the Trinity but shares fully in the divine essence. This means that his role in salvation and creation carries the same weight and authority as that of the Father. Recognizing Jesus as fully divine helps us understand that all actions attributed to him, including miracles and teachings, reflect his unity with God.
  • Discuss how early church councils shaped the understanding of Jesus as fully divine.
    • Early church councils, especially the Council of Nicaea, were pivotal in defining orthodox beliefs about Christ's nature. These councils addressed heresies like Arianism that questioned whether Jesus was fully divine. The decisions made affirmed that Jesus was 'true God from true God,' ensuring that the church recognized his full divinity alongside humanity. This established a foundational doctrine for Christianity's understanding of salvation.
  • Evaluate the implications of believing that Jesus is fully divine for Christian theology and worship practices.
    • Believing in Jesus' full divinity has profound implications for Christian theology, particularly concerning salvation, grace, and worship. It affirms that through Christ's divine nature, he provides a perfect sacrifice for humanity’s sins. This belief shapes worship practices, where prayers and hymns often reflect reverence for Jesus not only as a teacher but also as Lord and Savior. Ultimately, this understanding influences how believers relate to God through prayer and community worship.