Karl Barth’s Influence on Christology

by Chad Daugherty

After the ascension of Jesus Christ, the early church began to thrive and many were coming to faith in Jesus (Acts 2:47). Things began to change after the death of Alexander the Great. His death ushered in the Hellenistic period in which Greek culture and beliefs began to influence the church.

False teaching began to arise about the divinity of Christ and His two natures (Divine and Human). Several councils, such as the Council of Nicaea, the Council of Constantinople, and the Council of Chalcedon, were held to clarify the church’s stance on these issues. The creeds passed in these councils helped establish doctrine on Christ’s divinity and two natures. However, the Hellenistic influence had already taken root.