Impeccability

Definition

Impeccability refers to the doctrine that Jesus Christ, in his divine nature, is incapable of sinning. This concept emphasizes the idea that while Jesus was fully human and faced real temptations, he remained sinless throughout his life. Understanding impeccability is essential when discussing the dual nature of Christ, as it connects to discussions about his moral perfection and the implications of his sinlessness for salvation and redemption.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Impeccability highlights that Jesus' divine nature means he cannot sin, reinforcing his role as the perfect savior.
2. The concept is often contrasted with 'peccability,' which suggests that Jesus could have sinned but chose not to.
3. The doctrine supports the idea that only a sinless savior could adequately atone for humanity's sins.
4. Impeccability is crucial in Christological debates about Jesus' nature, influencing how theologians understand his temptation and suffering.
5. Understanding impeccability is key to grasping the nature of Jesus' mission and the significance of his moral authority in Christian theology.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of impeccability relate to the understanding of Jesus' dual nature?
  • Impeccability is directly tied to the hypostatic union, which describes how Jesus possesses both a divine and human nature. Since his divine nature cannot sin, impeccability asserts that despite experiencing genuine temptations as a human, Jesus did not sin. This understanding reinforces the belief that he is both fully God and fully man while remaining morally perfect, allowing him to serve as an effective mediator between humanity and God.
• In what ways does the doctrine of impeccability support the significance of Jesus’ role in salvation?
  • The doctrine of impeccability asserts that Jesus was completely without sin, which is essential for his role in salvation. By being sinless, he could serve as the perfect sacrificial lamb for humanity’s sins. This sinlessness ensures that his atoning sacrifice was sufficient to reconcile humanity with God, emphasizing the necessity of a savior who embodies moral perfection to fulfill God's redemptive plan.
• Critically analyze how differing views on impeccability impact theological discussions about free will and moral responsibility in relation to Jesus’ temptations.
  • Differing views on impeccability significantly shape theological discussions regarding free will and moral responsibility concerning Jesus' experiences. Those who affirm impeccability argue that because Jesus cannot sin due to his divine nature, his temptations were real but did not compromise his moral authority. Conversely, proponents of peccability suggest that if Jesus could have sinned, it implies a different understanding of free will where moral choices are genuinely open. This debate raises important questions about the nature of temptation itself, whether it entails the possibility of succumbing to sin or remains purely an experiential challenge without moral risk.

Related terms

Sinlessness: The state of being without sin, which in the context of Jesus signifies his moral perfection and total obedience to God's will.

Hypostatic Union:

The theological term used to describe the union of Christ's two natures, divine and human, in one person.

Atonement:

The doctrine that explains how Christ's sacrifice reconciles humanity with God, closely linked to the implications of his impeccable nature.