In this post I continue with my commentary on some of the sermons in the Reverend Lloyd-Jones' "Great Biblical Doctrines" series with "The Incarnation" and "The Deity and Humanity of Christ." Again, both of these sermons are pretty heavy on theology but I find that to be refreshing and have found both of these sermons to be informative and well worth listening to (if you can only choose one though I would go with "The Deity and Humanity of Christ").
Who was Jesus Christ? He was many (truly, infinite) things but two of his most salient qualities (and perhaps all of his others derive from these principal two) are his deity and his humanity. However, though he was fully human and fully divine the "circumstances" of his humanity are different in certain respects to ours (the virgin birth, for instance) although the "nature" of his humanity is the same (he suffered as we did, amongst other things). This is covered in greater detail in both sermons and I don't want to steal the Reverend's thunder and I feel his sermons do better justice to this than whatever explanation I may give. That being said, I do want to bring up a few points for further contemplation/meditation.
Who was Jesus Christ? He was many (truly, infinite) things but two of his most salient qualities (and perhaps all of his others derive from these principal two) are his deity and his humanity. However, though he was fully human and fully divine the "circumstances" of his humanity are different in certain respects to ours (the virgin birth, for instance) although the "nature" of his humanity is the same (he suffered as we did, amongst other things). This is covered in greater detail in both sermons and I don't want to steal the Reverend's thunder and I feel his sermons do better justice to this than whatever explanation I may give. That being said, I do want to bring up a few points for further contemplation/meditation.
- What is man, that the Lord is mindful of him? Our humanity is not connected to sin by nature, for Adam had the choice originally as to whether or not to sin, although having chosen to sin, the rest of his children suffer as a result as Rev. Lloyd-Jones' discusses. Christ is in geneaology the son of Adam but not through the seed of man but the "seed" of woman, making him different than all other men ("The Deity and Humanity of Christ").
- Are women, having contributed their "seed" through the "work" of the Virgin Mary, given their proper respect and honor as the sex that has brought forth our redemption as the Reverend points out? I do not believe in worshipping the Virgin but there appears to be a lack of honor and respect for her role in giving birth to the Messiah outside of the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.
- The Reverend contends that Jesus Christ, because he did not inherit the sin of Adam, actually cannot sin, though he can be tempted. Do you believe this is true? I personally think Christ just inherited the freedom of choice that Adam had when he was created and so he still could sin but unlike Adam he did not.
- Why the incarnation? Why not just spontaneous creation of the Christ as Adam and Eve were created? Birth and physical maturation are not a fundamental part of humanity because Adam and Eve experienced neither. But it is as children that we learn obedience and reliance upon authorities (our parents). It is only if we humble ourselves as children that we will enter the Kingdom; does this explain Christ's decision to humble himself as a helpless child? To learn obedience? Was such necessary for him or just a condescension to mankind to serve as an example?
