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Books Christology

Of what did the Son of God empty himself in becoming human?

The mystery of the incarnation Christmas 2016 is now over, and once again we have joyously celebrated one of the great moments of redemptive history, the incarnation. In the memorable words of the apostle John, “the Word became flesh and lived among us” (Jn 1:14 NRSV). The baby born in Bethlehem was no mere man; […]

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Christology Evangelicalism

The theological deficit within evangelicalism as seen in views of the incarnation.

How long can evangelical churches remain evangelical, given the widespread increase in biblical illiteracy and the theological ignorance which accompanies it and which is probably even more severe? Evangelical leaders are aware of the problem, but I see little sign of its being effectively addressed in western churches, and the problem is compounded in the […]

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Christology

Was virginal conception necessary for the incarnation?

As Christmas approaches, the birth of Jesus from the virgin Mary is very much on our minds, so this is a good time to think about the reason for that virginal conception. In a recent blog post, Louis McBride raises the question “Do we lose the incarnation if we deny the virgin birth?” He observes […]

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Anthropology (theological) Christology

Reflections on the incarnation, with reference to the constituent nature of human being

Therefore, following the holy Fathers, we all with one accord teach men to acknowledge one and the same Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at once complete in Godhead and complete in manhood; truly God and truly man, consisting also of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards his Godhead, […]

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Books Christology Soteriology

Creation, Incarnation, and Union with Christ

          I have benefited significantly from previous work by Robert Letham, so I am happy to be reading his new work, Union with Christ: in Scripture, History and Theology. I have chosen to work through the book because I concur with Letham that “union with Christ is right at the center […]