If Christ emptied Himself of deity while on earth, then how could He be God?
See Philippians 2:5-7 especially. My problem is that Paul seems to say that Jesus “emptied Himself” of His deity or “equality with God” (Phil 2:6-7), becoming “a man” (Phil. 2:8). But elsewhere Jesus claimed to be God on earth (John 8:58; 20:28). But how could Jesus be God while on earth if He left His deity aside to become man? GOD'S WORD® Translation Instead, he emptied himself by taking on the form of a servant, by becoming like other humans, by having a human appearance.
Philippians 2:1 - 11
ESV - 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy. 2 Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
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Asked June 01 2021
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Jack Gutknecht
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Conrad Derrick
I am confused. If Christ emptied himself and did not claim to be fully divine and fully human, then how can we say he was both fully human and fully divine? My understanding was that the early church fathers addressed this issue in the Councils of Constantinople (381 A.D.) and Chalcedon (451 A.D.), but some of what they concluded is just as confusing. Docetism at that time said Christ during his earthly ministry remained fully divine and only appeared to be human.