Whatever the incarnation means, it cannot imply that any change takes place in the divine Word - “the same yesterday, today and forever”.
Christ is one “not by the conversion of Godhead into flesh but by taking up of manhood into God!” - see Transfiguration & Resurrection 1/8
Moderns ‘take as their starting-point human nature as it is known to us, and then inquire what must happen to the divine Word if He is to be compressed within its limits...2/8
...they hardly ever start with the mode of existence of the divine Word & then ask what must happen to human nature if it is to be united to Him. Their Christology thus becomes a degradation of the divine Person rather than an exaltation of the human nature...3/8
“In becoming incarnate the divine Word does not cease to exercise His divine functions as the eternally begotten Son of the Father and as the source (with the Father) of the procession of the Spirit, or of His cosmic functions as creator & sustainer of the universe.” 4/8
He adds to these all the functions of a complete human life which go to make up the complex which is human nature. In this He manifests His divinity in terms of humanity - ‘the Word was made flesh & dwelt among us and we beheld His glory’ 5/8
The assumption of human nature, like the creation of the world, while it manifests His divinity, does not either augment or diminish it. 6/8
John 1 tells us that creation comes into existence & continues to exist by the divine Word and that the “true light, which gives light to everyone” is still at work even as He is ‘coming into the world.’ Paul tells us that He upholds the world by the Word of His power. 7/8
In His incarnate state He continues to work the same works He sees the Father do; He continues to have life in Himself and to breathe forth the same Spirit. 8/8 A riff off E. L. Mascall.
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