1. Belief Studies 1 st BeliefJesus – Man & God The ‘Hinge’ for Christianity = Identity of Jesus Christianity claims Jesus = both God & Man ie. God the son took on flesh Flow : God the Son (eternal)  takes on flesh (Incarnation)  back to heaven with flesh (ascension)

2. EVIDENCE i - Bible New Testament : –Jesus’ divinity ‘Emmanuel’ = God with us Miracles His claims (I am…….; I and the father are one) Father speaks “My son” To see him was to ‘see the Father’ Jesus non-denial (blasphemy) »‘my Lord’…. ‘my God’ Thomas, Peter etc »‘they worshipped him’ –Jesus’ humanity Born, tired, hungry, bled, ….died Limited knowledge –Other N.T. letters affirm this e.g. Philippians 2:6,7 “..very nature God…made as a man..” e.g. 1 Cor 8;5 ‘one God…’

3. EVIDENCE ii - history Early Church –Preached it (letters, stories, creeds etc) –Defended it (‘Church Councils’) Against ideas that Jesus was »Really only God – looked like a man »Really only a man – with ‘divine’ attributes »Some sort of ‘other’ being –Conclusion : truly God & truly Man »one person – two natures

4. IMPLICATIONS Christianity is Unique (God + Man) Very hard to wrap mind around (how it happens) Jesus’ life takes on new meaning »I know what God is like »I am important to God »Life = knowing God Jesus’ death takes on new meaning »More than a mere ‘man’ dying »My sins are significant »Life after death is a reality