"God created man in his own image. And man, being a gentleman, returned the favor." It is true that God has made us in the divine image. But returning the favor by making God in our own image is not an expression of gentlemanly manners. It is our shame, not our glory. We are made in God's image; God is not made in ours. »more
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"God created man in his own image. And man, being a gentleman, returned the favor." It is true that God has made us in the divine image. But returning the favor by making God in our own image is not an expression of gentlemanly manners. It is our shame, not our glory. We are made in God's image; God is not made in ours. »more
"Of course, God loves me; that's his job." But apart from the incarnation, why would we assume this to be true? Let's pretend Jesus was never born. Now, ask yourself, how can you be assured of God's love? What reasons can you give that suggest you matter to God at all? What evidence exists to make the case for a loving God who is humbly interested in your welfare? »more
Authentic Christian spirituality is fully human, fully embodied. In our culture, human limitations are often perceived as obstacles to unhindered union with God. On the contrary, it is precisely in and through our humanity that we experience God. Christian spirituality is not an attempt to escape our humanity but to embrace God in and through it. »more
Results tagged “Incarnation”
"God created man in his own image. And man, being a gentleman, returned the favor." It is true that God has made us in the divine image. But returning the favor by making God in our own image is not an expression of gentlemanly manners. It is our shame, not our glory. We are made in God's image; God is not made in ours. »more
"Of course, God loves me; that's his job." But apart from the incarnation, why would we assume this to be true? Let's pretend Jesus was never born. Now, ask yourself, how can you be assured of God's love? What reasons can you give that suggest you matter to God at all? What evidence exists to make the case for a loving God who is humbly interested in your welfare? »more
Authentic Christian spirituality is fully human, fully embodied. In our culture, human limitations are often perceived as obstacles to unhindered union with God. On the contrary, it is precisely in and through our humanity that we experience God. Christian spirituality is not an attempt to escape our humanity but to embrace God in and through it. »more
The essence of faithful ministry involves calling people to see "the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). But though God's revelation is true, full, and unique, it is not overwhelming. God seeks to win us over by loving contemplation of God's own act of love in the incarnation and the cross. In order to do this, we must deeply reflect on the significance of the incarnation. In this session, we rest in what it means to be an object of God's eternal love as expressed in the incarnation.
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Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:6 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 4:1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. »more
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Bible Passage: 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:6 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 4:1 Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. »more
Jesus uniquely, truly, and fully reveals the glory of God. This glory, which was intimately associated with the manifestation of God's presence in the Temple, is now beheld "in the flesh" of Jesus Christ. This odd combination of flesh and glory is what the Incarnation - and Christmas - is all about. The enfleshment of God in Christ profoundly reveals the truth about God, that is, that God is incomprehensibly humble, inconceivably loving, and willing to go to all extremes and bear any cost to embrace and save us. The Enfleshed Glory is seen most clearly in the humility of the Christ-Child and the sacrificial love of the Cross.
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Bible Passage: John 1:1-4, 14, 18 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome [comprehended] it. … 14 The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We beheld his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. … 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has made him known. »more
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Bible Passage: John 1:1-4, 14, 18 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome [comprehended] it. … 14 The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We beheld his glory, the glory of the one and only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. … 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has made him known. »more
By loving us as he is loved by the Father, Jesus draws us into the circle of divine love. It is this "eternal life" which he both reveals and shares. He does not merely proclaim his divinity, but discloses a life of communion. Jesus invites us to find our deepest identity ("beloved") and make our home ("abide") in his source of joy - God's love! »more
Without the humanity of Jesus - not just during his earthly ministry, but now in his heavenly ministry - there is no Christian salvation. Through the incarnation, God unites humanity to deity. This union is not temporary. It is permanent! Through Jesus' present glorified humanity we share in the life and love - the divine dance - of the Triune God. »more
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