Incarnation

Definition

Incarnation refers to the belief that God, or a divine being, has taken on human form. It is a central concept in several major religions, particularly Christianity, where it is associated with the belief that Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God on Earth.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Christianity, the incarnation is believed to have occurred when Jesus, the Son of God, took on human form and was born as a human being.
2. The incarnation is seen as a central event in Christian theology, as it represents God's willingness to become fully human in order to redeem humanity.
3. The concept of the incarnation is also present in other religious traditions, such as Hinduism, where it is associated with the belief that the divine can take on human or animal forms.
4. The incarnation is often linked to the idea of the Trinity, where God is believed to exist in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (the incarnate Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.
5. The incarnation is seen as a means by which God can fully understand and empathize with the human condition, and to provide a model of how to live a righteous and virtuous life.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of the incarnation in Christian theology.
  • In Christian theology, the incarnation is a central belief that holds that God, in the form of the Son (Jesus Christ), took on human form and became fully human while still remaining fully divine. This is seen as a crucial event that allows God to fully understand and empathize with the human condition, and to provide a model of how to live a righteous and virtuous life. The incarnation is also closely linked to the idea of the Trinity, where God is believed to exist in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (the incarnate Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.
• Describe how the concept of incarnation is understood in other religious traditions, such as Hinduism.
  • The concept of incarnation is not unique to Christianity, and can be found in other religious traditions as well. In Hinduism, for example, the belief in the incarnation of the divine is associated with the idea that the divine can take on human or animal forms. This is exemplified in the belief that the god Vishnu has taken on various incarnations, or avatars, throughout history to address the needs of humanity. While the specific theological and cultural contexts differ, the underlying idea of the divine taking on a physical form is a common theme across various religious traditions.
• Analyze the relationship between the incarnation and the concept of the Trinity in Christian theology.
  • In Christian theology, the incarnation is closely linked to the concept of the Trinity, which holds that God exists in three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (the incarnate Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. The incarnation is seen as the event where the Son, the second person of the Trinity, took on human form and became fully human while still remaining fully divine. This is a crucial aspect of the Trinity, as it allows God to fully understand and empathize with the human condition, and to provide a model of how to live a righteous and virtuous life. The incarnation, therefore, is not only a significant event in its own right, but also a key component of the larger theological framework of the Trinity in Christian thought.

Related terms

Hypostatic Union: The theological concept that in Jesus Christ, the divine and human natures are united in one divine person (hypostasis).

Theophany: A manifestation of a deity to a human, often in the form of a physical appearance or a vision.

Christology: The field of study within Christian theology that is concerned with the nature and person of Jesus Christ, including his incarnation.