This week we will be discussing the Incarnation and Passion of Jesus as set forth in the Creed beginning with “For us and for our salvation.” Please read Chapter 5 “Who for Us . . . Became Human” of Luke Timothy Johnson’s The Creed: What Christians Believe and Why it Matters. This section of the Creed explicitly is concerned with soteriology (the study of salvation) more than theology (the study of God). And it is within this section that the Creed becomes personal, for it is for us and for our salvation that God becomes a human being.
Last week we looked at why Jesus needs to be God and this week we will ask the question as to why Jesus needs to be Human. In the readings this week, Johnson cautions us that “our salvation” is more than simply getting a ticket into heaven or battling unjust social structures. Rather, throughout the New Testament, salvation is seen as a transformation of our very being into the image of God. As Paul says, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives within me. Gal. 2:20. For Salvation presently gives us freedom from the power of those things that enslave us (sin, law, death) and presently energizes us with God’s own power. p.149. To simply get into heaven or to work for justice is extrinsic to who we are in our being. The promise is that we, in our very being, will be changed, for it is the kingdom of God itself that comes upon us. Matt. 12:28. And this transformation cannot occur unless he himself becomes one of us. If the problem was only that of sin, we could repent of our own volition and strength, but the problem is a corrupted nature that must be recreated and transformed after the very likeliness of God. Eph. 4:24. If you have extra time this weekend, I would recommend re-reading chapters 2 and 3 of St. Athanasius’ On the Incarnation where he answers this question of why God became human. If you recall, Athanasius attended the Council of Nicaea and his writings are in defense of the original creed.
Dinner is at 6. Menu is Italian sausage and peppers. Discussion at 6:45. Compline before 8. Hope to see you here. Please bring a friend.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:3-4