Grace Thompson
The question of whether Jesus had one or two wills is a complex and contentious issue that has been debated by theologians for centuries. The Catholic Church, along with Eastern and Western churches and theologians (Roman Catholic and Protestant), affirms the doctrine of Dyothelitism, which holds that Jesus Christ, being fully God and fully man, possesses two distinct wills: a divine will and a human will. This belief is based on the understanding that Jesus, as the Son of God, took on a true human nature through the Incarnation, which included a human will with its desires, decision-making, and choices. The human will of Jesus is seen as a model for our own humanity and an essential aspect of our salvation, as it demonstrates the courageous choice of good over evil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of wills | Two (divine and human) |
| Nature of Jesus | Fully man and fully God |
| Nature of God | Never changing |
| Importance of human will | Human will is important for salvation and personal responsibility |
| Relationship between wills | The human will is distinct from but subject to the divine will |
| Role of Incarnation | God the Son took on a human will through the Incarnation |
| Function of wills | The divine will is for the mission of salvation, while the human will is for imitating Jesus' example |
| Impact on believers | Believers are called to follow God's will and participate in His humanity |
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What You'll Learn
Dyothelitism vs. Monothelitism
Monothelitism and Dyothelitism are two contrasting theological doctrines in Christianity that attempt to explain the relationship between the human and divine natures of Jesus Christ.
Monothelitism
Monothelitism, or monotheletism, is a theological doctrine that emerged in the 7th century, proposing that Christ had only one will. It was developed in response to the earlier Christological controversies related to monophysitism, which asserted that Jesus had a singular nature, with his divinity and humanity fused together. The monothelite view suggests that Jesus has two natures (divine and human) but only one will, influenced by both natures. This belief was seen as a way to preserve the unity of Christ's person and avoid the idea of two separate persons within him. Monothelitism was supported by some theologians, such as Pope Shenouda III of the Coptic Church, and is still taught by some Protestant Christian philosophers like William Lane Craig and J. P. Moreland.
Dyothelitism
Dyothelitism, or dithelitism, is the doctrine that teaches the existence of two distinct wills (divine and human) in Jesus Christ. It stands in opposition to monothelitism, emphasizing the perfect humanity in Christ's nature. Dyothelitism asserts that Christ possesses two natural wills and two natural energies, without division or conflict. This doctrine is considered theologically orthodox by Chalcedonian Christianity and is accepted by most Christian denominations. It was championed by Maximus the Confessor, who argued that the two wills in Christ correlate with his two specific natures. According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, the human will in Christ can be further divided into three aspects: sensitive appetite, natural appetite, and rational appetite.
The Controversy
The debate between monothelitism and dyothelitism centers around the interpretation of Christ's nature and the relationship between his divinity and humanity. Monothelitism was declared a heresy by the Catholic Church, as it was believed to diminish the fullness of Christ's humanity by implying that he was only semi-divine or appeared solely human. On the other hand, dyothelitism was affirmed by the sixth ecumenical council in 681, which asserted that Christ's two wills cooperate harmoniously, with the human will submitting to the divine will. Critics of monothelitism, like Maximus, argued that it could lead to monophysitism, blurring the distinction between Christ's divinity and humanity. They emphasized the need to keep these aspects separate to maintain the concept of our humanity being redeemed by divinity.
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The Sixth Ecumenical Council
The council specifically focused on the issue of Christ's nature and will, addressing the opposing views of monothelitism and dyothelitism. Monothelitism, supported by Heraclius, proposed that Christ, though having two natures (divine and human), had only one will. This view was opposed by Pope Martin I and the monk Maximus, who interpreted it as denying Christ's humanity by not allowing for a human faculty of will. They held a synod in Rome in 649 that condemned monothelitism, resulting in Pope Martin's exile and death.
The council also condemned monoenergism, the belief that Christ had only one energy, as heretical. Additionally, it anathematized several individuals, including Pope Honorius I of Rome and Sergius I of Constantinople, for propagating the heresy of monothelitism. The council's decrees were promulgated throughout the empire by imperial edict, bringing an end to the controversy and affirming the orthodox belief in Christ's dual nature and will.
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The human will of Jesus
Dyothelitism, or dithelitism, is the Christological doctrine that Jesus Christ has two wills: a divine will and a human will. The doctrine asserts that Jesus Christ, as a person, possesses two complete natures (divine and human), and each nature has its corresponding will. The Sixth Ecumenical Council in 681-2 (Constantinople III) affirmed dyothelitism as orthodox, rejecting the alternative view of monothelitism, which posits that Jesus had only one will.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, a Doctor of the Church, distinguished between the divine and human wills in Jesus Christ. He explained that the human will, like that of human creatures, can be divided into three aspects: the sensitive appetite, natural appetite, and rational appetite. The natural appetite is inclined towards the good, while the rational appetite, or deliberative will, chooses the means to achieve the ultimate end, which is the Supreme Good (God). In Jesus' case, His human will submits to and obeys His divine will, ensuring harmony between the two.
The doctrine of dyothelitism emphasizes the importance of the human will in salvation. If Jesus did not possess a human will, it would imply that our human wills are irrelevant to our salvation. However, Jesus' human will demonstrates that He understands and shares in our struggles, providing a path for us to follow. Therefore, the human will of Jesus is integral to His nature and mission, and it serves as a guide for our spiritual lives.
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The divine will of Jesus
The concept of Jesus having two wills, one divine and one human, is known as Dyothelitism. It is a Christological doctrine that asserts that Jesus Christ possesses two distinct wills, each corresponding to his dual nature as both fully divine and fully human. This belief system emerged as a response to Monothelitism, which proposed that Jesus, despite having two natures, only possessed one will.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, as well as theologians like Saint Thomas Aquinas, support Dyothelitism. Aquinas, in particular, distinguished between the divine and human will of Jesus, with the human will being composed of sensitive appetite, natural appetite, and rational appetite. The rational appetite, or deliberative will, is the capacity for humans to choose through reason, with the ultimate end being the Supreme Good, or God himself.
The human will of Jesus is exemplified in his suffering and obedience, as seen in Hebrews 5:8, where he "learned obedience through his suffering." This is further illustrated in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus, in his humanity, asks his Father to take this cup from me (Matthew 26:39, Mark 14:36), revealing a human desire to avoid suffering. However, he ultimately submits to the divine will, saying, "not my will, but yours be done" (Matthew 26:39).
The belief in two wills is important because it affirms the significance of human choice and action in salvation. If Jesus did not possess a human will, it would imply that human will is unimportant and incapable of being redeemed. By possessing a human will, Jesus demonstrates how humanity can follow his example of submitting our will to God's will, leading to redemption and a fully alive humanity.
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The importance of human will
The concept of Jesus having two wills, one divine and one human, is known as Dyothelitism. This doctrine asserts that Jesus Christ, being both fully divine and fully human, possesses two distinct wills corresponding to his dual nature. The importance of affirming the existence of two wills in Christ has significant implications for the value of human will and our understanding of salvation.
Firstly, acknowledging Jesus' human will underscores the importance of human agency and personal responsibility. If Jesus did not possess a human will, it would imply that human choices and actions are insignificant in our salvation. This would contradict fundamental Christian teachings on sin and personal accountability. It would also portray God as unjust, as in the case of Adam and Eve, who were held responsible for their actions despite potentially lacking free will. Thus, recognising Jesus' human will affirms the significance of human decision-making and its role in our spiritual journey.
Secondly, Jesus' human will serves as a model for humanity to emulate. His human will, submitting to the divine will of God, demonstrates the ideal relationship between human and divine will. By following his example, Christians strive to align their will with God's will, fostering a deeper connection with the divine. This submission to God's will is an act of obedience and faith, leading to redemption and a more authentic human experience.
Moreover, the human will of Jesus showcases the potential for humans to overcome concupiscence, or the inclination to choose evil over good. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' human will courageously chose to submit to God's will, even in the face of suffering. This pivotal moment in Christ's redemption narrative highlights the transformative power of human will. Through baptism, Christians receive the grace to emulate Christ's choice, empowering them to resist evil and embrace goodness.
Jesus' human will also underscores the importance of human freedom and the capacity for self-denial. As a perfect man, Jesus' human will was never in conflict with his divine will. However, imperfect humans may struggle with the sensual appetite, leading to sin. Overcoming this requires the exercise of human will to align with divine will, mirroring Christ's choice to deny himself and embrace God's call. This exercise of will is a fundamental aspect of the Christian path.
In conclusion, the doctrine of Dyothelitism, recognising the two wills of Jesus, underscores the importance of human will. It affirms the significance of human agency, provides a model for emulation, offers redemption from concupiscence, and highlights the potential for self-denial and transformation. By acknowledging Jesus' human will, Christians gain a deeper understanding of their role in salvation and are guided towards a more authentic and meaningful spiritual life.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to Dyothelitism, Jesus has two wills: a divine will and a human will.
The doctrine of the two wills of Jesus is important because it asserts the significance of human will in salvation. If Jesus does not have a human will, then human will cannot play a role in salvation, which would destroy all teachings about sin and personal responsibility.
The divine will of Jesus is the same as that of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. The human will of Jesus is subject to the divine will and is lived out in and through his followers.
No, Jesus only had one will—the divine will—before he became incarnate. When he took on a true human nature, he assumed a human will distinct from but perfectly subject to the divine will.
