Module Description

God the Son

The identity of the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth is arguably the most critical subject in all Christian reflection and ministry. Indeed, it is impossible to minister in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ if that ministry is based upon false and ignoble views of who he was (and is), what his life signified, and what we are to make of him today. Everything is at stake in our right conception of his life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return. This module highlights his majestic person and deeds, and mastering the biblical material on him is the task of all responsible discipleship and ministry.

In the first lesson, Jesus, the Messiah and Lord of All: He Came, we consider the significance of the Nicene Creed for Christological studies. We will look specifically at how the Nicene Creed helps frame our thinking as urban ministers about a study of the biblical materials on Jesus, especially in the sense of helping us view Christ’s work as two movements: his humiliation (i.e., his becoming human and dying on the cross for our sakes) and his exaltation (his resurrection, ascension, and the hope of his return in power). We will also discover the biblical teaching on Jesus’s nature before he came to earth, as preexistent Word or Logos. We will consider his divinity as well as two historical heresies regarding Christ’s divinity, and close our discussion by commenting on the significance of Jesus’ divinity for our faith and discipleship.

Next, our second lesson, Jesus, the Messiah and Lord of All: He Lived, explores the humanity of Christ. We will focus on his dual reasons for coming to earth: to reveal to us the Father’s glory and redeem us from sin and Satan’s power. We will also look at the creedal language regarding Jesus’ humanity, his conception by the Holy Spirit and birth to the Virgin Mary, and investigate some of the historical errors connected with denying either Jesus’ divinity or humanity. We close this lesson by considering three important aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry on earth. These include his identity as the Baptized One who identifies with sinners, the Proclaimer of the Kingdom of God, reasserting God’s right to rule over creation, and as the Suffering Servant of Yahweh who would give his soul as a ransom for many.

In our third lesson, Jesus, the Messiah and Lord of All: He Died, we will explore the theological implications of Jesus’ humiliation and death, his descent in his divine person on our behalf. We will consider Jesus’ humiliation in the Incarnation, his life and ministry, as well as his death. In considering his sacrifice on Calvary, we will explore some of the historical models for understanding his work on the cross. These include the perspective of his death as a ransom for us, as a propitiation (divine satisfaction) for our sins, as a substitutionary sacrifice in our place, as a victory over the devil and death itself, and as a reconciliation between God and humankind. We will also explore some of the historical alternative views of Jesus’ death. These include his death as 1) a moral example, 2) a demonstration of God’s love, 3) a demonstration of God’s justice, 4) a victory over the forces of evil and sin, and 5) a satisfaction of God’s honor.

Finally, in our fourth lesson, Jesus, the Messiah and Lord of All: He Rose and Will Return, we begin with a consideration of the various aspects and implications of two events which mark the exaltation of Christ. The resurrection serves as a vindication of Jesus’ Messiahship and sonship, and his ascension grants to our Savior a position of dignity and authority that allows him to fill all things with his glory. We explore these in light of the biblical teaching of the Creedal language, enabling us to understand God’s intent to exalt Jesus of Nazareth to supreme heir of all things as a result of his death on the cross. We will close our study by looking at the last three statements regarding Christ’s person in the Nicene Creed. We will consider his coming in glory, his judgment of the nations, and discuss briefly the nature of his coming reign of the Kingdom of God.

Perhaps no study of doctrine can compare with the thrill of understanding from a biblical and creedal way the richness, wonder, and mystery of God’s Son, Jesus of Nazareth. His humiliation and ascension is the heart of the Gospel, and the center of our devotion, worship, and service. May God use this study of his glorious person to enable you to better love and serve him who alone has been given the preeminence by the Father. To him be the glory!

Required Textbooks

The Capstone Curriculum

Reading Assignments

Reading Assignments

Each Capstone module has assigned textbooks which are read and discussed through the course. We encourage students to read, reflect upon, and respond to these with their professors, mentors, and fellow learners. Because of the fluidity of the texts (i.e., books going out of print), the required textbooks list will be different from what is listed in your Capstone Curriculum workbook. The textbooks list with each module is the OFFICIAL Capstone required textbook list.

Students: Part of our coursework requires that you purchase, read, and reflect upon the textbook(s) for the course. The assignment is to read each required textbook and write a precis (concise summary) of its main point, as you see it. Please summarize its major theme and argument, and then give your concise evaluation for each reading. Although the Student Workbook only shows space for two readings, the student must write a summary for each reading by using the back of the form. It is of utmost importance to us for our students to analyze a text, that is, to read it, understand its thesis (main point), articulate its argument in a respectful way (whether you agree with the author or not), and then respond as to why you agree or disagree with the thesis. This practice helps strengthen your ability to engage different opinions in a respectful way, and learn to listen to others and respond with clarity and respect. In this way, you learn to dialogue with and discuss with others whose beliefs are different than your own.

Mentors:  The reading assignments below are keyed specifically to the lesson format of this module.  Please note that, depending on how you are structuring your course sessions, you have complete flexibility to break up the reading assignments to match your actual class sessions.  In other words, if you are running an eight week course, simply break up the reading assignments to match your sessions (see Appendix 8 in For the Next Generation, TUMI Mentor Manual for sample course schedule options).  What is critical is that you focus on the lesson as the basic unit of teaching in your Capstone courses.

Kindle

Capstone is also available on Kindle and is a handy complement to your Capstone Students Softcover Workbook; the accessibility of the digital editions will be a lifetime resource for sermon preparation, Bible Study, and theological research.