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Glory Through Suffering: The Telos of Humanity in the Humanity of Christ
Hall, Noah Alexander
Hall, Noah Alexander
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Abstract
What is the precise function of suffering in the actualization of the telos of the image of God? I argue that suffering as an instrumental context is the connecting link between the intended glory-function of the imago Dei and the actualized telos of humanity in Christ. Suffering is contextual based on the two-age structure of redemptive history; it is instrumental in that it accomplishes purposes otherwise inaccessible to humanity. The greatest possible display of God’s glory manifested in and through humans is the intended purpose of the imago Dei yet that final glory is only attained through the path of suffering—first in Christ’s humanity as the “founder of their salvation,” second in the church through its eschatological union with and conformity to him. Suffering leading to teleological glory is the instrumental context that connects the protological intentions of the imago Dei with the eschatological destiny of humanity conformed to Christ’s image. The telos of humanity is manifested in the crucified, resurrected, and glorified Jesus Christ, who is the concrete image to which all redeemed humanity is conformed. This enables the greatest possible enjoyment and participation of redeemed humanity in the glory of God. In making a strong connection between Christian suffering and the telos of humanity, I am not saying that suffering is inherently good nor am I saying that suffering is necessary to be truly human. Instead, I make a strong distinction between being “truly” human—which is true of every child of Adam, Christian or not—and being “wholly” human—which refers to being human in a teleological sense. This is the difference between being truly human and the wholeness of human potential and purpose. All humans, whether prelapsarian Adam, fallen humanity, or redeemed humanity are truly human, yet at this time, Jesus is the only teleological man. My argument is that teleological humanity is only possible through the path of suffering, which necessitates distinguishing between prelapsarian and postlapsarian senses of human suffering. Following an introductory chapter 1, chapters 2 and 3 sketch the glory through suffering paradigm throughout Scripture. Chapters 4 and 5 argue for a holistic, Christological, and glory-oriented understanding of the imago Dei and a fourfold telos in relation to God’s glory: manifestation, conformity, enjoyment, participation. Chapter 6 examines the theological relationship between the image of God and suffering, emphasizing the contextual aspect of my argument. Chapter 7 develops the instrumentality of Christian suffering through two categories: present benefits, teleological achievements. Chapter 8 concludes by pointing the way forward to future research and synthesizing several lines of argumentation from the previous chapters.
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Ph.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2026
Date
2026-05
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The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
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Hall_sbts_0207D_10945.pdf
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