Alan Shlemon – Andy Wrasman

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incarnation-comic-book — Alan Shlemon created this slide for a presentation on the Doctrine of the Incarnation at this year’s series of ReThink Apologetics Conferences.

Scripture reveals that Jesus, from the instant of his incarnation, is both fully God and fully man.

The Council of Chalcedon in 451 AD produced the Chalcedonian Creed to counter the false explanations of the union of the two natures of Christ and the down-right heretical teachings concerning the incarnation of Christ. Four key statements can be drawn from this creed:

1.   Christ is fully (perfectly) God.
2.   Christ is fully (perfectly) human.
3.   The divine nature and human nature are united in the person of Jesus Christ.
4.   Jesus Christ is one person.

These four statements can be placed along each side of a box. This box is the Chalcedonian Box. As long as any teaching, anecdote, or analogy of the person and work of Christ maintains that Jesus is fully God, fully man, one person, with two natures, it lands within this box. When one of these doctrines is distorted, or worse, erased, the teaching lands outside of the box is appropriately labeled a heresy.

Alan Shlemon, a speaker, teacher, and writer, for Stand to Reason, created a slide for a presentation he gave on the incarnation of Christ. At the center of the slide is the Chalcedonian Box with a clipart image of Jesus in the middle of the box. Outside of the box lies DC’s Batman and Superman and Marvel’s the Hulk and Spider-Man.

Wes and Andy discuss this excellent image Shlemon created! Jon Pratt sits like a fly on the wall once again.

How are Batman, Superman, the Hulk, and Spider-Man not good analogies to use to explain how Jesus can be one person with two natures? Why does it matter if we are missing the mark of Scripture with these comic book analogies? Also, more importantly, what Christological heresies align with these modern day comic book superhero analogies to let us know that people have actually taught Christ in these throughout history, and in some cases still do!

Show Links

Alan Shlemon’s Stand to Reason Bio and Speaking Page

ReThink Apologetics Conference (This is where Alan presented his Incarnation slide)

Read the Creed of Chalcedon (451 AD)

Chalcedonian Box Links – Compiled by Andy’s Teacher’s Assistant

Alan Shlemon writes a monthly letter for Stand to Reason. This month’s letter addresses the person and nature of God within Christianity by asking the question:

Do Christians worship the same God as Muslims? (Click to read the article)

Alan opens the letter by saying that most Muslims would say yes. That’s not my experience… I have yet to meet a Muslim who has said yes. They have always told me that Christians worship three gods, not one! I also don’t agree with part of his conclusion in the letter. I think if Jesus were to show up on the streets of Detroit today, every Muslim would fall in worship – they’d have no choice at Christ’s second coming – Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Philippians 2 says this. But I get Alan’s point. If Jesus were to somehow return a second time in his state of humiliation and not his exaltation, Muslims wouldn’t bow and worship him, unless they converted to Trinitarian worship.

With that said however, Alan does a great job in my opinion of showing how Muslims believe in a God that is one person, one essence. Christians believe in a god that is three persons, one essence. Big distinction!

I like to say, “Jesus is God or Jesus is just a man.” Clearly, we’re not worshiping the same God. But from my experience, many Christians simply don’t fathom this. I have seen classrooms filled with mostly Christians divided on this question, just like Alan said.

Why? Why are Christians divided on this issue?

Tag: Alan Shlemon

69. Jesus vs. Marvel vs. DC

Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?