The Incarnation: A Permanent Act of God
According to Scripture and church tradition, the incarnation of Jesus Christ is not a temporary act but a permanent one. This truth has significant implications for our understanding of Christ’s nature and his relationship with humanity.
The States of Humiliation and Exaltation
The Bible distinguishes between two states of Christ’s existence: humiliation and exaltation. During his time on earth, Jesus lived in a state of humiliation, veiling his divine glory and accommodating himself to human weakness. However, this did not mean that his disciples were unable to see his glory, as John 1:14 notes that “we have seen his glory.”
The Nature of Christ’s Humiliation
Christ’s humiliation was not a diminishment of his divine nature but rather a voluntary concealment of his glory. He chose to obey his Father’s will for our salvation, living a fully human life while still exercising his divine power and authority.
The Relationship Between Christ’s Divine and Human Natures
As the Son of God, Jesus continued to live and act in Trinitarian relation to his Father and the Spirit, even during his time on earth. His human nature was not a separate entity from his divine nature but an integral part of who he was as the incarnate Son.
The Significance of Christ’s Glorification
After his resurrection and ascension, Jesus returned to his previous glory, with the veil of his humiliation lifted. In his glorified state, he remains fully God and fully man, but with his divine nature now fully visible.
The Question of Christ’s Post-Resurrection State
This raises the question of whether Christ’s limitations during his time on earth are now permanent. Some argue that his incarnation brought about permanent limitations, while others propose that these limitations were temporary and only applied to his state of humiliation.
Kenotic Christology
One perspective on this issue is kenotic Christology, which suggests that Christ’s incarnation involved a self-emptying or limiting of his divine attributes. However, this view raises difficulties in understanding how Christ can be both fully human and fully divine.
Three Responses to Kenotic Christology
There are three main responses to kenotic Christology: (1) denying the perpetual humanity of Christ, (2) affirming that Christ’s limitations are permanent, and (3) proposing that Christ’s limitations were temporary and only applied to his state of humiliation.
Conclusion
The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a profound mystery that continues to shape our understanding of God and humanity. While there are various perspectives on the nature of Christ’s incarnation, the Bible affirms that he is both fully God and fully man, and that his glorification has lifted the veil of his humiliation.
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