Hendrikus Berkhof was professor of Systematic Theology at the University of Leiden. The service begins with a prayer of invocation (00:00-01:22). Hendrikus Berkhof is introduced as the special lecturer (01:23-02:53). Berkhof begins his lecture by giving four problems of the Chalcedonian model of Jesus Christ having two natures in one person, and these four problems are first, the confusion of defining Christ’s personhood, second, the variety of biblical definition of Christ’s nature, third, constant cultural change in viewing human nature and Christ, and fourth, the educational confusion of defining Christ’s personhood (02:54-10:49). Berkhof examines the nature of Jesus in relation to God and to our human nature, and he concludes that Jesus was a human who participated in the divinity of the Father so that the rest of humanity can participate in that same divinity (10:50-30:20). Berkhof speaks briefly about two books written by Catholic theologians that caused a stir in the Vatican, and he says these books give a Christology of Jesus that speak of his death and resurrection as the revelation of God’s word to humanity (30:21-37:26). Berkhof concludes his lecture by speaking about the shift in Christology that is occurring in the late 20th century, and he clarifies his position on Christ over against a static Chalcedonian model (37:27-49:20). The service ends with a benediction (49:21-49:49).
