The Thomistic Institute Could God Weep or Feel Pain? Christ's Assumption of Human Suffering for Our Sake I Prof. Paul Gondreau
Jun 27, 2025
In this thought-provoking discussion, Professor Paul Gondreau, a theology expert at Providence College, dives into whether God can truly experience human emotions and suffering. He examines Christ’s full humanity and the implications of early heresies like docetism. Gondreau shares insights from St. Thomas Aquinas on the dual nature of Christ, emphasizing how His divine experience encompasses human emotions like sorrow and empathy. This exploration reframes our understanding of God’s relationship with human pain and suffering.
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Human Nature and Emotions
- Human emotions arise from our lower, animal-like nature and are often at odds with rational moral good.
- This internal disharmony, called concupiscence, causes conflict between bodily desires and spiritual well-being.
Early Church and Christ's Humanity
- The early church struggled to affirm Christ's full humanity, confronting heresies denying his true human nature.
- Docetism claimed Christ only appeared human but was not truly so, an early challenge refuted by scripture and doctrine.
Councils Affirm Christ's Two Natures
- The Councils of Constantinople (381) and Chalcedon (451) affirmed Christ's full humanity and divinity without confusion or division.
- Chalcedon emphasized Christ's two distinct natures, preserving the integrity of his human nature united to divinity.
