What is the Incarnation?

The Incarnation is a central Christian doctrine that asserts that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. The term “Incarnation” comes from the Latin incarnatio, meaning “in the flesh,” and it refers to the belief that the second person of the Trinity, the Son of God, took on human nature while retaining His divine nature. The Incarnation is foundational to Christian faith because it affirms that Jesus is both fully God and fully man, uniquely qualified to be the Savior of the world.

Biblical Foundations

Scriptural Basis for the Incarnation

The doctrine of the Incarnation is deeply rooted in Scripture, with key passages in both the Old and New Testaments pointing to the reality of God becoming man in Jesus Christ.

• Old Testament Prophecies: The Old Testament contains prophecies that foretell the coming of a Messiah who would be both divine and human.
  • Isaiah 7:14 (NIV):
    

    “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”

    The name “Immanuel” means “God with us,” pointing to the divine nature of the coming Messiah.

  • Isaiah 9:6 (NIV):
    

    “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

    This prophecy refers to a child who will be called “Mighty God,” indicating the divine identity of the Messiah.

• New Testament Fulfillment: The New Testament explicitly teaches the Incarnation, revealing that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the embodiment of God in human form.
  • John 1:1, 14 (NIV):
    

    “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

    This passage clearly states that the Word, who was with God and was God, became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.

  • Philippians 2:6-7 (NIV):
    

    “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

    Paul emphasizes that Christ, though divine, took on human nature, humbling Himself to become a servant.

  • Colossians 2:9 (NIV):
    

    “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”

    This verse underscores the complete divinity of Christ dwelling in a human body.

Theological Significance in the Early Church

The doctrine of the Incarnation was a key point of theological reflection and debate in the early Church, leading to the development of creeds and the rejection of various heresies.

• Arianism: A major heresy in the early Church, Arianism denied the full divinity of Christ, asserting that He was a created being and not co-eternal with the Father. The doctrine of the Incarnation counters this by affirming that Jesus is fully God, co-eternal and consubstantial with the Father.
  • Council of Nicaea (325 AD): The first ecumenical council, convened to address Arianism, affirmed the full divinity of Christ and produced the Nicene Creed, which declares that Christ is “of one substance with the Father.”
• Docetism: Another heresy that arose in the early Church, Docetism denied the true humanity of Christ, claiming that He only appeared to be human. The Incarnation refutes Docetism by affirming that Christ took on real human flesh and experienced human life fully.
  • 1 John 4:2-3 (NIV):
    

    “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God.”

    John emphasizes the importance of confessing that Jesus came in the flesh, a core aspect of the Incarnation.

• Nestorianism: Nestorianism proposed that Christ had two separate persons, one divine and one human, rather than a single person with two natures. The Church rejected this view, affirming the unity of Christ’s person in the Incarnation.
  • Council of Ephesus (431 AD): The third ecumenical council, which condemned Nestorianism and affirmed that Christ is one person with two natures, fully divine and fully human.
• Eutychianism (Monophysitism): This heresy taught that Christ had only one nature, either by denying His humanity or by suggesting that His human nature was absorbed into His divine nature. The doctrine of the Incarnation maintains the distinctiveness of both natures in one person.
  • Council of Chalcedon (451 AD): The fourth ecumenical council, which defined the doctrine of the Hypostatic Union, affirming that Christ is one person in two natures, without confusion, change, division, or separation.

Historical Development and Key Figures

Early Church Fathers and Councils

The development of the doctrine of the Incarnation was significantly shaped by the debates and theological reflections of the early Church Fathers and ecumenical councils.

• Athanasius of Alexandria (c. 296-373 AD): A key defender of the doctrine of the Incarnation against Arianism, Athanasius wrote extensively on the importance of Christ being fully God and fully man.
  • Athanasius, On the Incarnation: “He became what we are that he might make us what he is.”

    Athanasius argued that only by becoming fully human could Christ redeem humanity.

• Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376-444 AD): Cyril played a crucial role in the Christological debates of the 5th century, particularly in opposing Nestorianism and defending the unity of Christ’s person.
  • Cyril’s Letters: Cyril’s letters, especially those to Nestorius, outline his views on the unity of Christ’s person and the proper understanding of the Incarnation.
• Leo the Great (c. 400-461 AD): Pope Leo I, known for his Tome of Leo, was instrumental in the definition of the Hypostatic Union at the Council of Chalcedon. His writings provided a clear articulation of the two natures of Christ.
  • Tome of Leo: “For each nature retains its proper character without loss; and so the divine nature is all the more impassible while the human is subject to suffering.”

    Leo’s writings were foundational in articulating the doctrine of the Incarnation.

Impact on Christian Doctrine and Worship

The doctrine of the Incarnation has had a profound impact on Christian theology, shaping the Church’s understanding of Christ’s person and work.

• Christology: The Incarnation is foundational to orthodox Christology, affirming that Jesus is both fully God and fully man. This understanding is crucial for doctrines such as the atonement, where Christ’s full divinity and humanity are essential for His role as the mediator between God and humanity.
  • 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NIV):
    

    “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.”

    The Incarnation is central to understanding Christ as the mediator between God and humanity.

• Worship and Liturgy: The Incarnation has influenced Christian worship, particularly in the way believers approach Christ in prayer and praise. The recognition of Christ’s divinity and humanity invites believers to worship Him as both Lord and Savior, who is fully able to sympathize with human weakness.
  • Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV):
    

    “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

    This passage underscores the worship due to Christ because of His divine nature.

• The Eucharist: The doctrine of the Incarnation also informs the Christian understanding of the Eucharist, where believers partake of the body and blood of Christ. The real presence of Christ in the Eucharist is understood in light of His incarnation.
  • Luke 22:19-20 (NIV):
    

    “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”

    The Eucharist is seen as a means of grace, rooted in the reality of Christ’s incarnation.

Broader Theological Implications

The Incarnation and Redemption

The Incarnation is essential for understanding the doctrine of redemption, where God became man to accomplish the salvation of humanity.

• Incarnation: The Incarnation is the act by which the Son of God assumed human nature in the womb of the Virgin Mary, uniting it to His divine nature. This union is necessary for the work of redemption, as only a being who is both fully God and fully man could reconcile humanity to God.
  • Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV):
    

    “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”

    This passage emphasizes the necessity of Christ’s humanity for the work of redemption.

• Atonement: The Incarnation is also central to the doctrine of the atonement, as it affirms that Christ, as fully God and fully man, could offer a perfect sacrifice for sin.
  • Hebrews 9:14 (NIV):
    

    “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

    The Incarnation is crucial for understanding how Christ’s sacrifice can effectively atone for the sins of humanity.

Christian Anthropology and Salvation

The Incarnation also has implications for Christian anthropology, particularly in how humanity is understood in relation to God.

• Image of God: The doctrine of the Incarnation affirms that human nature, assumed by Christ, is capable of being united with the divine nature without being destroyed or diminished. This elevates the understanding of human nature as being made in the image of God.
  • Genesis 1:27 (NIV):
    

    “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

    The Incarnation underscores the dignity and value of human nature, as it was assumed by Christ in the Incarnation.

• Sanctification: The Incarnation also informs the Christian understanding of sanctification, as believers are united with Christ and participate in His divine nature.
  • 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV):
    

    “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

    This passage reflects the transformative effect of the Incarnation on the believer’s life, as they are united with Christ and partake in the divine nature.

Legacy and Influence in Christian Doctrine

The doctrine of the Incarnation has had a lasting impact on Christian theology, shaping the Church’s understanding of Christ’s person and work, and influencing key doctrines such as the atonement, the sacraments, and the nature of the Church.

Conservative Reflection on the Incarnation

From a conservative theological perspective, the Incarnation is seen as a non-negotiable tenet of orthodox Christian faith. It safeguards the full divinity and humanity of Christ, ensuring that He is truly capable of being the mediator between God and humanity. Conservatives emphasize the importance of adhering to this doctrine as it is foundational to the Christian understanding of salvation.

Final Thoughts on God’s Love and Jesus

The doctrine of the Incarnation ultimately reflects the depth of God’s love for humanity. In the person of Jesus Christ, God took on human nature, entering into the human experience to redeem and restore it. This union of divinity and humanity in Christ is a profound expression of God’s love and commitment to His creation.

• John 3:16 (NIV):
  

  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

This verse captures the essence of the Incarnation: God’s love made manifest in the person of Jesus Christ, who became fully human while remaining fully divine, to bring salvation to all who believe in Him. The Incarnation stands as a testament to the mystery and majesty of God’s redemptive plan, revealing the lengths to which God will go to save and restore His people.