Divine presence in Human world: The place of the Communicatio Idiomatum in Lundensian theology

Abstract

The classic concept of the communicatio idiomatum, “communication of attributes,” is as indispensable as it is central to Lutheran theology. The councils of Nicaea (325 CE) and Chalcedon (451 CE) affirmed that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures: human and divine. The divine attributes and the human attributes communicate with one another while remaining distinct. “In, with, and under” the historical Jesus with his human attributes, Lutherans exclaim, the eternal Christ with his divine attributes is present. Martin Luther (1483–1546) adds a comparable role for the communicatio idiomatum within soteriology. The attributes of Christ communicate with the human attributes of the person of faith. Theologians have tried to find answers about how Christ's divine and human natures exist in the person of Christ for forgiveness of our sin. Lundensian theology argues that God abandoned Himself to the death on the cross through Christ spontaneously. Its emphasis offers innovation while remaining within classic orthodox parameters.