Bible the Incarnation of Christ

Bible

The Incarnation of Christ should be understood from personal, prophetic, historical, and cultural perspectives. A metaphysical perspective also sheds light on the meaning of the Incarnation. The mystery surrounding the phenomenon only points out the limitations of the human mind, and how we need God and scripture to guide us through the darkness and into the light. From a historical-cultural perspective, the Incarnation of Christ occurred at an opportunistic time. Scripture points out the ways in which the Hebrews under Roman rule had lost touch with the source of their faith and the roots of Biblical prophesy. The arrival of Christ at this time in history was meaningful in that it helped to shed light on the extent to which human beings had strayed from God. Moreover, the colonization of Palestine and surrounding areas by the Romans also revealed the universal need for the Savior. The power and mystery of Christ could thereafter become one of the driving forces of history. Although it would take centuries of persecution, Christians built a foundation of faith so solid that the belief in Christ would soon capture the hearts and minds of souls around the world.

From a prophetic perspective, the incarnation of Christ fulfilled Old Testament prophesies related to the coming of the Messiah. The Old Testament prepares for the coming of Christ since the Book of Genesis: "A well-defined line of prediction is provided in the Old Testament predictions concerning the coming of the Savior," (Walvoord nd). References to the Messiah pepper the Pentateuch, and play a major role in Jewish theology and scripture. Messianic prophesy is conveyed in "purposely obscure" terms in the Old Testament, revealing the ineffable and transcendent nature of the Incarnation (Walvoord). The Incarnation cannot be understood on an intellectual level but only on a spiritual one. This is why prophecy is central to the entire Judeo-Christian tradition. If the Incarnation were not a spiritual event, then more concrete terms would suffice in describing the Son of God. Church schisms have evolved related to the misinterpretation and reinterpretation of the Incarnation of Christ. Prophecy also discounts the importance of time and place when studying the incarnation of Christ. As Walvoord (nd) points out, "prophecy does not necessarily include all the intermediate steps between the great events in view."

Because of the difficulties in interpreting prophecy and scripture, the Incarnation of Christ can best be understood from a personal perspective. Christ has had a profound impact on billions of souls, enabling the transformation of humanity and human history. At the most basic level, the Incarnation of Christ suggests the mystery and transcendence of God. The Incarnation reminds me of the limitations of the human mind and the power of God; in other words, the Incarnation humbles me and makes my heart ready to receive Christ. The only way I can imagine receiving Christ is by first preparing my heart through humility.