incarnation

incarnation

• Sent his son (JC) into world to reveal the perfect love of God 

• JC modelled that love by his sinless life (lived in perf conformity with God’s will and word right up to his death on the cross) 

• NT teaches that God’s steadfast love and faithfulness was revealed fully in the life, and particularly in the death, of JC 

• When JC took human form it was a part of a loving act that ultimately led to JC suffering in the place of sinful humanity 

• Christians believe that JC was sent to be a moral guide + teacher, and he taught Christians that love is the basis of their relationship with God and with eachother 

STRENGTH: revelation of god’s nature

• Moltmann argues that God suffers with humanity -> JC’s crucifixion shows that he was a willing participant who experiences pain alongside creation 

• God experiences suffering in the incarnation and is therefore able to empathise with and love its creation 

COUNTER to moltmann

• Biblical account of incarnation portrays a God who sanctions suffering and demands a blood sacrifice 

• Dawkins criticises the idea of substitutional atonement as morally dubious, questioning how punishing an innocent man reveals divine law 

STRENGTH: knowable + accessible god

• Suggests that God can be known in human terms 

• Humanity is given a tangible, accessible insight into divine will and character 

• In Summa Theologica, Aquinas asserts that the incarnation makes it possible for humans to know God more intimately, since Christ speaks and acts in ways understandable to human beings 

• Shows god’s willingness to maintain a relationship with us 

STRENGTH: shows willingness to reconcile

sacrifices his only son