5 Christology

Abstract Gregory of Nyssa treated the subjects of Christology, soteriology, eschatology, ethics, and spirituality (or mysticism) as one. From the foundational fact of Christ's incarnation arises his understanding of salvation; this salvation then has to be seen through the twin lenses of its consequences for our practical daily life — particularly our relations with our neighbours (ethics) and with God (spirituality) — and of its eschatological consequences. This chapter explores how Gregory's Christology has been seen as fitting into the history of Christian doctrine, which has a profound effect on how it is still read. It contends that with the exception of some Catholic theologians who have responded positively to the general idea of ‘an ontological unity of all humanity in Christ’, the attitude of systematic theologians to Gregory's Christology has been generally dismissive.