Christology and the Enactment of Jesus Christ's Presence

This Element examines a phenomenon that reflects a distinctive and insightful Christological imagination, yet one that has received little sustained attention within the field of Christology. Specifically, it focuses on the sphere of deputation, characterized by Jesus' authorization of his disciples to serve as his proxies. In their deputized capacity, Christians engage in activities that reflect the dynamics through which Jesus' presence is enacted in his post-earthly life, albeit within the limits of his prerogatives. Jesus may choose, through such enactment, to act by means of his disciples, both individually and collectively as the church. I argue that attention to this sphere of deputation moves both formal Christology and informal, grassroots Christology beyond the traditional Christological concentration on ontology, function, and significance.