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Examined Doctrine

Jonathan Edwards on the person of Christ

1703 – 1758 · REFORMED / CONGREGATIONALIST
READ IN A PRIMARY SOURCEAFFIRMS°
STANCE

One person in two natures, unconfused and undivided

This became Christ, as one who had taken on him the human nature; but at the same time he existed in the divine nature; whereby his person was in all respects equal to the person of the Father.
"The Excellency of Christ" (Discourse V, on Revelation 5:5-6), head II.3 (Hickman, Works 1:682)

THE POSITION

The whole of "The Excellency of Christ" runs on one person holding two natures without either being diminished: Christ prays with reverence "as one who had taken on him the human nature" while "at the same time he existed in the divine nature." The human nature is real and permanent — Christ "still is in the human nature" at the right hand, and was conceived and born without sin — and the incarnation added nothing to his divine excellency, "for divine excellency is infinite, and cannot be added to."

SCRIPTURE
PHILIPPIANS 2:6 · BSB

6 Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

12 OTHERS HOLD THIS

CalvinChalcedonThe Church of Eleven22 Statement of FaithEphesusSecond London Baptist ConfessionLutherJohn MacArthurPhilip MelanchthonJohn OwenR.C. SproulWestminster ConfessionZwingli
Word united to flesh, with the human soul underemphasizedATHANASIUS
Affirms both deity and humanity before the categories were fixedCHRYSOSTOM · IRENAEUS
See all 19 figures on the person of christ →

ABOUT THIS FIGURE

New England pastor, revival theologian and philosopher of the First Great Awakening, dismissed from his Northampton pulpit in 1750 over who may come to the Lord's Table. This entry rests on Freedom of the Will (1754), Original Sin (1758), Religious Affections (1746), An Humble Inquiry (1749), Distinguishing Marks (1741), Some Thoughts on the Revival (1742), An Humble Attempt (1747) and A History of the Work of Redemption, read in the Hickman edition.

17 OF 18 POSITIONS QUOTED
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Cite this page

"Jonathan Edwards on the person of Christ", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/edwards/christology (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/edwards/christology).

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