Incarnation is a biblical concept that has been around for centuries. It is a declaration of the belief that Jesus Christ, the son of God, took on human form and dwelt among humans. It is an important theological belief for Christians and a central part of the Christian faith. In Christianity, Incarnation is the belief that God became incarnate in Jesus, the one whom Christians believe to be the messiah — the savior of the world. As described in the Bible, Jesus was God in human form. In the words of Paul in Philippians 2:7-8: “He [Jesus] made himself nothing, taking the form of a slave, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
The concept of Incarnation has been described as central to Christian faith. According to theologian Philip Schaff, “the Incarnation of the divine Logos [Word] is the pivot and center of all revelation, the key to all mysteries, the clue to all paradoxes.” What does this mean, exactly? Incarnation does not mean that Jesus was temporarily a human, but rather that He was fully God and fully man at the same time. Jesus was not fully human, like Adam before the Fall, nor was he a deity, like the mythical gods of Greek and Roman mythology. He was instead a unique divine-human, greater than either. The Bible declares that this unique incarnation of Jesus Christ provided humanity with a way to redemption and could be found as a substitutionary sacrifice that satisfied God’s wrath.
The belief in Incarnation is a consequence of how Christians perceive the identity of Jesus Christ. For example, the Nicene Creed states that Jesus Christ is “God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God”, but there is no statement of how this divine nature of Jesus exists on a day-to-day basis in the world. Incarnation provides a framework that explains how Jesus was both fully divine and fully human at the same time. It states that Jesus was the son of God and yet he was fully human, able to suffer and die as a man. In fact, Jesus’ life and death can be seen to echo the concept of incarnation — Jesus fully identifies with humanity and its suffering by taking on flesh through the incarnation. This idea therefore ties in with other biblical teachings such as the concept of self-sacrifice, which is the idea that Jesus gave up his life for the sake of others and for the sake of himself in the sense of fulfilling God’s will. Incarnation also explains why Jesus was able to perform his miracles — Jesus was able to do something that only God could do because he was one with God in a very real and physical way.
In terms of the implications of Incarnation, it is important to note that the concept of Jesus being fully divine and fully human has far-reaching consequences. Firstly, it affects how Christians view Jesus, as his divinity gives him a special status that transcends any mere human figure. Secondly, it also impacts Christian views on human nature, since Jesus’ experience of humanity is seen as a sign of the power and potential of human life. Lastly, the implications of Incarnation also hold significant implications for the Christian mission — since Jesus is seen as the bridge between mundane humanity and the lofty heights of divine life, he provides a model for how Christians can be transformed. In this way, Incarnation allows Christians to see their lives transformed and to identify with Jesus and his mission of redemption.
Incarnation And The Resurrection Of Jesus
The belief in Incarnation also holds important implications for Jesus’ resurrection. According to the Christian faith, Jesus was rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion. This is seen as a key part of Jesus’s victory over death and the fulfilment of God’s great plan for mankind. As theologian J.I. Packer writes: “As we meditate on the Incarnation, so we must also reflect on the Resurrection, and the principle that this involves: that the whole of God’s saving purpose was directed towards a definitive Incarnation event whose consequences would endure until the end of time.” In this way, the Incarnation of Jesus into the world provided the basis for his resurrection and victory over death because it provided the framework for his perfect sacrifice and its subsequent rewards in eternity. Incarnation does not only have implications for the present, but for future generations as well. In this way, it serves as a reminder to Christians of the importance of their salvation and the power of Jesus’ resurrection in providing a pathway to eternal life.
Theological Implications of the Incarnation
The theological implications of the Incarnation can also be seen in the doctrine of the trinity. In Christianity, God is one God but exists in three Persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The belief in the Incarnation of Jesus is a belief in the unity of God and His power to be one in three distinct Persons. It also implies that God is an active agent within history and that He is present in human affairs. Thus, the Incarnation of Jesus is seen as a sign of God’s presence here on earth — that He is not a distant concept but instead is actively engaged in the lives of humans. It also serves as a reminder that God’s love is so great that He was willing to take on the form of humans in order to bring salvation and redemption.
Incarnation In The Pauline Writings
The Incarnation of Jesus is an idea that is touched upon in many of the texts associated with the Apostle Paul. For instance, in the gospel of Philippians 2:6-11, Paul speaks of the Incarnation of Jesus in terms of the idea of self-humbling and sacrifice. Paul declares that Jesus “emptied himself” of his divine power and glory and humbled himself by taking on the form of a human slave, thus identifying with and saving humanity. In this way, Incarnation is seen as a result of Jesus’ self-sacrificing love and obedience. This self-sacrificing love is what allowed Jesus to be a mediator between God and man, thereby providing a pathway to salvation and redemption.
Incarnation In The Gospel Of John
The Gospel of John also speaks of the Incarnation of Jesus in terms of his unique relationship to the Father. In the beginning of the gospel, the author writes that Jesus was “in the beginning with God” and was “God.” The author then goes on to elaborate on the idea of Jesus being sent into the world to bring the love of God to humans. This is related to the concept of Incarnation in that Jesus is seen as both human and divine — he is a pure reflection of God’s love and mercy manifested in human form. As Jesus says in John 10:30: “I and the Father are one.” In this way, Incarnation is seen as a sign of God’s love, compassion, and power to embrace humanity.
The Significance Of Incarnation For Christians
The Incarnation of Jesus is an important concept for Christians and a defining element of their faith. On the one hand, it emphasizes the fact that Jesus is fully human, with all the strengths and weaknesses that come with that. On the other hand, it also affirms Jesus’ divine identity — that He is fully God and capable of performing miracles, as well as dying for humanity. This gives Christians an identity as a people of faith who believe that Jesus is able to provide salvation and redemption because of his divine-human nature. In addition to this, the Incarnation also serves as a reminder that God is an active agent in the world — that He is present here on earth in a physical form and can work His will in the world through Jesus.
Implications For Today’s Christians
The doctrine of Incarnation holds important implications for Christians in today’s society. On the one hand, it serves as a reminder that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, thus allowing Christians to identify with Jesus and follow in his footsteps. On the other hand, it also serves as an example of how Christians can be transformed in their faith, as Jesus provides a model for how to live out a life of love and obedience. Finally, Incarnation also serves as a reminder that God is an active participant in the world and is interested in working His will through the lives of humans. In this way, the Christian faithful are empowered to shape their world through Jesus’ life and teachings.
Incarnation And Modern Interpretations
As mentioned previously, the doctrine of Incarnation has wide-ranging implications for Christians in the present day. However, some Christian thinkers have offered alternative views on the role of Incarnation in modern-day faith. For instance, philosopher Alvin Plantinga has argued that the Incarnation should not be seen as a feature of Christianity that can be weighed in non-metaphysical terms. Instead, he argues that Incarnation is a necessary precondition for the Christian faith, and that any interpretation of the faith that fails to take into account this precondition will inevitably be wanting. Another Christian thinker, John Hick, has proposed a different perspective on Incarnation — rather than viewing it primarily as a sign of divine action, he suggests that Incarnation is more importantly a sign of God’s humanity and incapability to suffer and feel the pain of human existence. As this brief overview indicates, there are a range of interpretations of the doctrine of Incarnation and its implications for the present day.
Conclusion
In sum, Incarnation is a central concept of the Christian faith. It is the idea that Jesus is both fully divine and fully human, thus taking on the form of human flesh in order to bring salvation and redemption. It is a doctrine that has been interpreted in many different ways over the centuries, but one aspect remains the same — Incarnation provides a framework for understanding the unique relationship between Jesus and humanity. It is a reminder that God is an active agent in the world and that He is deeply interested in our struggles and pains. Jesus’ self-sacrifice on the cross is seen as a sign of His love and mercy, and through Incarnation, Jesus’ victory over death and his promise of eternal life are understood as a pathway to salvation and redemption.
