The Son in Relation to the Father

An interactive exploration of the person and work of Jesus Christ within the foundational context of the Trinity.

The Triune Godhead

Christianity's understanding of God is unique: one divine essence eternally existing as three distinct Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is the Trinity, the essential foundation for understanding who Jesus is and what He did. This section explores this foundational doctrine.

One Essence, Three Persons

This diagram, the "Shield of the Trinity," illustrates the core relationships: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each distinctly God, but are not each other.

Shield of the Trinity Diagram

The Person of Christ

Christology is the study of Jesus Christ. The central mystery is the Hypostatic Union: Jesus is one Person with two complete natures, divine and human. This was clarified at the Council of Chalcedon, defining the boundaries of orthodox belief about who Jesus is.

The Chalcedonian Definition (451 AD)

The Council of Chalcedon defined Christ's two natures as united in four crucial ways. Click on each card to understand what it protects against.

Without Confusion

The two natures remain distinct.

Without Change

The divine nature is unaltered.

Without Division

There is only one Person.

Without Separation

The union is permanent.

The Work of Christ

Soteriology is the study of salvation. Christ's work, from his life to his death and exaltation, is a mission of obedience to the Father to reconcile the world to Him. The climax is the Atonement—his sacrificial death. Theologians have developed various theories to explain how this single event accomplishes so much.

Theories of the Atonement

This chart shows major theories explaining how Christ's death reconciles humanity to God. Click on a bar to read a detailed explanation of that theory. These models are often seen as complementary, each highlighting a different facet of the cross.

Select a theory

Click on a bar in the chart to see details here.

Comparative Perspectives

While the core doctrines are shared, the major branches of Christianity—Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism—have developed different emphases on how salvation is applied to the believer. These differences shape worship, piety, and the Christian life.

Comparing Soteriology

This radar chart visually compares the theological emphasis of the three major Christian traditions across key soteriological concepts. The further a point is from the center, the stronger the emphasis on that concept within the tradition. Hover over the chart for more details.