What If We Actually Drew Our Christology from the Scriptures? Complementing Nicaea with Jewish Narrative, Vocabulary, and Symbols

This paper proposes a complementary Christology that integrates the traditional Nicene framework with the rich narrative, vocabulary, and symbols of the Scriptures. While the Nicene Creed defines the divinity and humanity of Christ using Hellenistic philosophical categories, it does not fully convey the scriptural narrative from which early Christian understanding emerged. Drawing on Second Temple Jewish theology and apostolic writings, this paper explores how early followers of Jesus articulated a Christology embedded in Israel’s story. By recovering this biblical vocabulary, the article presents a Christological framework that resonates with both Jewish and non-Chalcedonian Christian traditions. This approach offers a path toward theological rapprochement by reaffirming a shared monotheistic heritage while enriching Orthodox faith expressions through scripturally grounded language.