The humanity of Christ affirms that Jesus of Nazareth, the eternal Son of God, became truly and fully human. Without ceasing to be God, He took on a real human nature—body, mind, emotions, and will. This doctrine teaches that Jesus was like us in every respect, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). His humanity is not a temporary mask or illusion, but a permanent union with our nature.
Biblical Basis
Scripture clearly teaches the full humanity of Christ:
- John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
- Philippians 2:6–8 – “…being found in human form, He humbled Himself…”
- Hebrews 2:14,17 – “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things… He had to be made like His brothers in every respect.”
- Luke 2:52 – “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”
- 1 Timothy 2:5 – “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
These verses confirm that Jesus experienced human birth, growth, hunger, fatigue, sorrow, joy, suffering, and death. He was not a phantom or merely appearing human; He was, and is, genuinely one of us.
Historical and Theological Development
Early Christian heresies denied the full humanity of Christ:
- Docetism (1st–2nd centuries) claimed Christ only seemed to be human.
- Apollinarianism (4th century) taught that Christ had a human body but not a human mind.
- The Council of Chalcedon (AD 451) settled the matter by affirming that Jesus is one Person in two natures—truly God and truly man—”without confusion, without change, without division, without separation.”
Orthodox Christianity has consistently held that the humanity of Christ is as essential as His deity. Without true humanity, Christ could not have truly represented us, obeyed for us, suffered for us, or died for our sins.
Theological Importance
Denying Christ’s humanity undermines the entire gospel:
- Substitutionary Atonement – Only one who shares our nature could stand in our place (Hebrews 2:17).
- Obedience and Righteousness – Jesus obeyed the law as a man (Romans 5:19), fulfilling what Adam and we failed to do.
- Sympathetic High Priest – He can sympathize with our weaknesses because He lived in our frailty (Hebrews 4:15).
- Resurrection Hope – Christ’s bodily resurrection guarantees the resurrection of our own bodies (1 Corinthians 15:20–23).
Contemporary Relevance
In an age of increasing abstraction and dehumanization, the humanity of Christ re-centers us on the dignity and purpose of the human body and soul. It affirms:
- The value of human life from conception to death.
- The importance of physical suffering and emotional sorrow, which Christ experienced.
- That temptation is not sin, since Christ was tempted (Hebrews 4:15), yet remained sinless.
- A defense against Gnostic and New Age ideas that devalue the body and elevate mysticism.
Contrasts with False Teachings
- Islam: Jesus is considered only a man and prophet—not divine. Christianity affirms both natures.
- Mormonism: Teaches that God the Father has a physical body and that Jesus was physically begotten—an anthropomorphic misunderstanding of Christ’s incarnation.
- Jehovah’s Witnesses: Deny the eternal deity of Christ and, in some cases, confuse the nature of His humanity and resurrection.
- Gnosticism (ancient and modern): Devalues the physical and often denies the incarnation outright.
Biblical Christianity uniquely upholds both the full deity and full humanity of Christ in one Person.
Practical Application
- Suffering: Christ understands our pain, loneliness, fatigue, and grief.
- Temptation: We are not alone—He has been there and triumphed.
- Worship: We don’t worship a distant deity, but one who walked among us and bears our nature forever.
- Mission: As the God-man, Christ is the perfect bridge between God and humanity—our message to a lost world must emphasize that He is both fully God and fully man.
- Manhood: Christ models perfect masculinity: courageous, compassionate, self-sacrificing, and strong in truth.
Christian Holiday Connections
- Christmas (Incarnation): Celebrates the moment the eternal Son took on human flesh (Luke 2:7; Matthew 1:23).
- Good Friday (Crucifixion): Only a man could die; Jesus’ humanity made the cross possible (Isaiah 53).
- Easter (Resurrection): Affirms the bodily resurrection of a truly human Christ (Luke 24:39; John 20:27).
- Ascension and Second Coming: Jesus ascended bodily and will return bodily (Acts 1:9–11).
Hymns and Worship Songs
Traditional Hymns:
- “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, hail the incarnate Deity…”
- “O Come, All Ye Faithful” – “Lo! He abhors not the Virgin’s womb…”
- “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” – Highlights the suffering of Christ’s physical body.
- “Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners” – Emphasizes Christ’s sympathy for the weak.
Contemporary Songs:
- Phil Wickham – “Living Hope” – Speaks of Christ’s suffering and bodily resurrection.
- Chris Tomlin – “Jesus Messiah” – “He became sin who knew no sin…”
- Tenth Avenue North – “By Your Side” – Affirms Jesus’ empathy in our struggles.
- Third Day – “Born in Bethlehem” – Proclaims the mystery of the incarnation.
- Steven Curtis Chapman – “God With Us” – Focuses on the wonder of God becoming man.
S.D.G.,
Robert Sparkman
rob@christiannewsjunkie.com
RELATED CONTENT
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I recommend these Youtube channels and commentators for good content on politics and news from a Christian and/or conservative worldview: Albert Mohler, Allie Beth Stuckey, Bill O’Reilly, CBN News, Hugh Hewitt, John Anderson Media (Australia), Nick Freitas, Ruthless Podcast (language warning), Scott Jennings, The Hot Zone with Chuck Holton, Vince Dao, and Verdict with Ted Cruz.
For livestreaming of political protests and riots by conservative commentators, check out Nate Friedman, Cam Higby, James Klug, and Nick Shirley. I don’t agree with the perspectives of all these commentators and the language of protesters is often obscene. Most news outlets will not cover these illegal assemblies, though, because it doesn’t promote their narrative.
Depictions of Jesus Christ are used in some illustrations. I realize that some including conservative Presbyterians consider this to be idolatry. I respectfully disagree with their position on this matter as the commandment forbids worshiping such depictions, and I do not worship these illustrations.