If Christ's human spirit ceased to exist (as per Annihilationism?), would this 'do violence' to the Chalcedonic formula (that Christ is one person who possesses two natures - 100% divine and 100% human)?
I recently got a mail that answered the above in the affirmative, saying:
"… at His death, His (human) spirit was definitely not extinct or cease to exist (else, it would do violence this touchstone of Christian orthodoxy)"
The writer had a picture of what
annihilationism ought to entail for the fate of Christ's human spirit and proceeded to draw a conclusion about the impact of such a fate on the Chalcedonic formula. A few points:1. The debate on hell is about the ultimate fate of unredeemed humanity. The Chalcedonic question was about the Subject of salvation (only God can save) and the need for this Saviour to be united completely with the object of salvation (humanity, all '100%' of us) in order for salvation to take sufficient effect. The issues are separate.
2. Even if Christ's human spirit WAS annihilated in hell, remember that this would have NO BEARING on Chalcedon, because the formula looks at what Christ's humanity must consist of PRIOR to the redemptive act! Christ need assume only what He needs to heal; all post-atonement consequences on His human spirit are, strictly speaking, irrelevant. Furthermore, we all know that the Christ now has a resurrected Body, similar to what redeemed humanity will possess in the FUTURE - but not yet. This doesn't impinge on Chalcedon one bit, even though it's over and beyond what '100% humanity' is at present. (I've further elaborated this point
here).
Hope this clears things up,
Al