Christology is the branch of Systematic Theology that studies the person and work of Christ. Why is Christology important? Here are four reasons:
1) Because all the Scriptures bear witness to Christ
The Scriptures, taken as a whole, have one main character around whom all the stories revolve: Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, His coming is promised and in the New Testament, it is fulfilled. Moreover, Jesus affirmed with authority that the Scriptures bear witness to Him. Therefore, a deep understanding of the person and work of Christ helps us better grasp the entirety of Scripture and leads us to grow more into His image (see Luke 24:27, 24:44; John 5:39).
2) Because the church has given it great importance
The church has always regarded the doctrine of Christ as essential. In the Gospel of John, we find clear teaching on the divinity of Jesus. Throughout the history of the Church, important councils have further developed our understanding of the person of Christ, such as the First Council of Nicaea and the Council of Chalcedon. During the Protestant Reformation, there was also a renewed focus on the work of Christ, which gave rise to the motto “Solus Christus” (Christ alone). Therefore, understanding the Christological developments of the past will help guide us in both our present faith and future growth (see John 1:1-18; 20:30-31).
3) Because the enemies of Christianity attack it
John wrote the fourth Gospel in response to heresies that denied Jesus as the Christ. Similarly, the early Church councils (such as Nicaea, Chalcedon, etc.) and creeds (including the Nicene, Athanasian, and Apostolic creeds) were developed as responses to various heresies surrounding the person of Christ, such as Arianism, Apollinarism, Nestorianism, and Eutychianism. Understanding these heresies and the theological defenses against them will strengthen our ability to defend our faith (see 1 John 2:22; John 20:30-31).