Introduction
A wide range of beliefs and standards act as foundations for different religions. Most of these dogmas were founded by previous generations, some dating back to the pre-Christian period. Over the years, religious theories have evolved, adapting to the dynamism of life. Ancient philosophers from Jewish and Greek communities have extensively researched these fundamental pillars of Christianity, some of which remain relevant in today’s spiritual discourse.
Atonement and incarnation are among the many religious phenomena that have existed for a long time. It is equally important to note that atonement and incarnation can be explained using examples from different religions. However, this paper primarily focuses on Christianity, citing relevant verses from the Bible and drawing on the teachings of Jesus Christ to explain various aspects of the topic. A breakdown of the history of atonement and incarnation, the relationship between the two facets, and their application in biblical ministries form the basis of the discussion for this paper.
Definition of Incarnation
Incarnation is a popular doctrine among Christian believers that holds that God the Creator transformed into a physical being and presented Himself as Jesus Christ. In that regard, Jesus is considered the Son of God, while other followers believe He is God. The concept of incarnation is well supported by the Holy Trinity, which comprises God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The phenomenon, together with the existence of the human nature of God, concomitantly creates another sphere of connectivity called the hypostatic reunion. It is believed that the Virgin Mary conceived Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, and His purpose on earth was to spread the gospel and amplify God’s message to his people. At the same time, he was expected to perform miracles, such as healing the sick, and ultimately die for the sake of humanity’s redemption.
From a historical perspective, the introduction of incarnation aimed to demystify preexisting misconceptions that there was no form of association between divinity and the human nature of God in the form of Jesus Christ. For the advanced theologians to clarify the misinformation, they had to base their argument that Jesus was not born like a normal child but rather begotten. This implies that He is the sole source of life and is, therefore, a creator.
Definition of Atonement
Atonement, also known as disambiguation, is a theological concept that seeks forgiveness from a higher being for the sins committed. This ideology originates from two English words, “at” and “oneness,” which were later combined to mean “in unison with.” Atonement cuts across nearly all forms of regions and involves reconciliation with God. For example, in the African Traditional Society (ATR), communities offered animal and plant-based sacrifices to ask God for forgiveness.
The offerings were usually done at the end of each harvesting season. During these occasions, the animals selected had to be strong and healthy to appease the higher being. The smoke was believed to go upward to confirm if the Creator was pleased with the sacrifice offered. If the smoke went sideways, the people would know that the gods were unhappy with their sinful nature, necessitating human sacrifice. In addition to cleansing and religious acceptability, these offerings were believed to promote moral righteousness. Therefore, atonement was a channel through which humanity could rebuild its relationship with its divine spiritual being.
Historical Background of Incarnation
Incarnation originates from the Latin word “incarnation” and has been widely adopted by Christianity to demystify the integration of dignity and humanity. The Latin-based phenomenon means “existing in flesh.” However, the term is not limited to Christianity; it extends to other religions. When a soul or a spiritual being assumes a physical existence, the incarnation is said to have occurred. The physical being can be a plant, an animal, or a human within which the spirit resides.
There are two types of incarnation, namely positive and negative. The former involves a spirit or soul taking a physical frame and later existing in misery, such as bondage and captivity. On the other hand, the physical body formed from a positive incarnation is that of a righteous being, pure, holy, and sanctified. It is possible for a physical being formed through the negative incarnation to be transformed into a life of utmost divinity and sanctimony. This can be achieved by performing rituals and sacrifices to a higher being to release the body.
The history of incarnation dates back to the Paleolithic times, when caves with several animal drawings that resemble humans were discovered. For instance, in the Trois cave, there’s an animal-like drawing of a person in a dancing posture. Similarly, another drawing, inscribed in this case, shows a deer’s head with long antlers and a human posterior frontal. It is through these artworks of early man that it is factual to conclude traces of the incarnation of spirits into human and animal-like magical creatures. In the ancient Malaysian communities, it is believed that the spirits of the dead assumed human forms and roamed the land on demon time hours on the eve of the New Year. These souls were incarnated ancestors and could be heard either appraising or condemning villagers about their harvest, dignity, and general code of conduct.
Several documented pieces of literature concerning the concept of incarnation exist among ancient North American Indians, the Inuit (also known as Eskimos), and the Aranda community of Australia. For example, the Eskimos believed that the death of a righteous person was always followed by the ascension of his soul to a higher being. His spirit would then be reincarnated into a physical being by Lord Pinga, and the deceased would therefore remain existent as a plant or animal.
The ancient Greeks maintained that every human soul is subject to immortality through a series of successive incarnations. This is a form of punishment by the Creator who regards all souls as unrighteous. Reincarnation occurs continually because the Maker intends to restore the spirit’s initial state of synchrony, which became distorted at birth.
Historical Background of Atonement
Atonement, a common phenomenon in theological and philosophical studies, is used synonymously with reconciliation in both the Anglican and Catholic Bibles. The Anglo-Saxon-based word is used widely in the New Testament to convey the restoration of good relationships and understanding between God and humanity. Since the time in question is before Christ, atonement was performed by kings who were expected to follow specific instructions from God.
In Isaiah 52:13, atonement is readily apparent. The works of Apostle Paul in the New Testament indicate atonement, for example, in 2 Corinthians 5:20, where he portrays Jesus as the suffering servant of God and highlights the sacrifice made for humanity. Christian writers such as Scott McKnight, Thomas Torrance, Michael Bird, and Robert Letham depict atonement as a sense of satisfaction for sin and use it as a basis for their literature on incarnation and redemption.
From the Jewish point of view, reconciliation is the only way to reclaim the ruined association between God and man. Judaic beliefs cite repentance, sacrifice, prayer, and fasting as key elements of atonement. The aspect of sacrifice is described in Leviticus 5 as an outward version of seeking redemption from God.
It is essential to note that most rabbinical teachings, although not widely consulted, align with biblical theocratic beliefs that human righteousness must be upheld to correspond with the universe’s cosmic laws. God is pure and holy, and He requires humanity to follow suit. In case the creature-creator relationship is damaged, it is the responsibility of Christians to seek reconciliation through fasting, prayer, or restitution.
Creedal Christology Transformation and Its Relationship with Atonement and Incarnation
The primary interrelationship between the New Testament proclamation and the present reality in churches is tailored around the concepts of atonement and incarnation. Christological developments since the time of Jesus Christ have remained largely unchanged over the years. The message perpetuated by Jesus through sessions such as the Summon on the mountain, where the eight beatitudes were first taught, has continued to find its way into modern Christian education. Similarly, special prayers such as the Apostles’ Creed have remained undeterred.
It is therefore essential to note that creedal Christology, atonement, and Christian soteriology collectively link Christ and His teaching, portraying Him as the Savior and Redeemer of mankind. The teachings have remained unchanged over generations, as Christians believe that God is the same today and will be in the days to come. His loving nature is deemed constant, and man is always assured of refuge from Him anytime He seeks it.
Incarnation, Atonement, and Christianity
Adopting Jesus’ true self through ministry is part of the modern-day incarnation. In this context, the disciple accepts the Word of God and intertwines this gospel into his day-to-day life. The believer’s transformation into a likeness of Christ corresponds with the incarnation of Jesus many years ago. He redefines his purpose and priorities by deciding to live and die by the spirit while adhering to the teachings of the Lord Jesus. From a biblical perspective, Christianity is based on the fact that God entered the world in human form through Jesus, and when He died, He left the Word, which represents the aforementioned gospel.
Therefore, Christians apply Jesus’s incarnation by spreading his teachings to the world, as they cannot physically transform and be Christ himself. According to 2nd Timothy 3:16, true believers should follow the Scripture and not the teachings of other devotees. In 1st Corinthians 9:19-23, Peter clarifies that he will serve Christ and Him crucified, acting as an apostolic example of a faithful follower and believer. Therefore, Christians should follow the trend set by Jesus himself, which is well illustrated in the Holy Bible. With the increase in false prophets and law teachers, believers should be keen to identify when the Word is corrupted and distorted for one’s selfish gains.
On the other hand, atonement emphasizes God’s love for those who believe in him and follow his teachings. As mentioned in John 3:16, God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Christians believe that God’s love was so immense that He had to sacrifice His Son to pay the price of their sins.
Secondly, atonement in Christianity inspires Christians to spread the gospel. They inform non-believers that the concept of Judgment Day comes with a hefty price of eternal fire for sinners, while offering a big reward to true believers and evangelists. Through their efforts to spread the gospel, the themes of atonement and incarnation are perpetually promoted.
The message of salvation finds its way in the Christian mission, a concept primarily founded on atonement. Non-believers receive salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and therefore have to reorganize their daily life routine to be in accordance with Christ’s teachings. Revelation also emphasizes that those who propagate the gospel will receive eternal life.
The Bible emphasizes that only a few will be selected from different ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds to be part of the eternal throne. As a result, there is a direct intuition between atonement and evangelism that encourages Christians to remain motivated as they preach, for there is a price at the end of the mission. The idea that God will select his flock indiscriminately indicates the way Christ died for the sake of salvation for everyone.
Everyone will face a fair trial, and the criteria for inheriting the kingdom will be based on a person’s actions rather than their ethnic group. Lastly, atonement in the ministry confirms to Christians that Christ’s death was meant to cleanse humanity, as highlighted in Romans 8:1. This implies that there will be no condemnation for those who choose to believe in Christ Jesus, as discussed in the section below.
Relationship between Incarnation and Atonement
It is essential to analyze the reasons for incarnation to understand the relationship between these two ideologies. Three main factors made God transform Himself into a man and make the earth His new residence. First and foremost, He wanted to act as an avenue through which man could receive atonement for his iniquities. The wages of sin being death necessitated and the sinful nature of man necessitated God to provide reparation for humanity. This was implemented when Jesus finished his ministry at the age of 33 years and died for the sins of man. It is believed that the blood of the Son of God, sometimes called the Son of man, was intended to cleanse sins.
Secondly, the incarnation is the initial stage of the atonement process initiated by God. Ideally, atonement was initiated from the time when Jesus was born. Throughout his life, Christ interacts with sinners while maintaining a righteous lifestyle. He remains obedient to God while identifying Himself as the Savior and Son of man. Before his birth, John the Baptist had already prophesied his coming and identified him as the light, the truth, and the spirit, implying that his coming would provide atonement and relief to his followers. Although he broke the tomb and was resurrected on the third day, his death was in reconciling and atoning for the nature of God’s will.
However, it is essential to note that the resurrection signifies the rebirth of humanity in its entirety. Ramson’s framework supports the religious dogma of atonement. The model, based on Mark 10:24, postulates that Jesus paid the price for our sinful captivity, eventually setting us free after his crucifixion. It demonstrates how the death of Christ signifies redemption and salvation to humanity by the incarnation of God, which bridged the gap between human beings and deities. From the above explanations, it is clear that there is a direct relationship between atonement and incarnation, which impacts the lives of Christians.
Atonement Theories
One of the popular schools of thought proposed to explain the concept of atonement is the moral influence theory. Modulated by Peter Abelard, the moral influence conjecture correlates with Anslem’s theory. According to the model, God exemplifies his subjective nature when dealing with humanity. The love that Jesus portrayed was an extension of God’s infinite love.
On the same note, the salvation of humanity was fundamentally inspired by the passion of God through Christ and his desire to set humanity free from the shackles of slavery. Christians reciprocate this love by abiding by the teachings left by Jesus Christ and living righteously while observing religious holidays such as Easter Sunday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday, and Christmas Day. Similarly, for commemoration, they wear a rosary to represent the crucifixion of Christ and his power over death.
Secondly, the penal substitution model has featured among the theories behind atonement in Christianity. In this school of thought, God is believed to be in a relationship with man, and the tie can never be broken. All Christians are connected to God, with whom there is no separation. However, since humans corrupted this association with sin, God had to restore the union by sending His Son to die for man. In this manner, the relationship between incarnation and atonement was clearly portrayed.
Incarnation-Atonement Relationship and Its Implications for Modern-Day Christians
According to the King James Bible version, atonement is used in Christianity to emphasize the idea of reparation and reconciliation. Several conjectures explain the concept of atonement among Christians and include, but are not limited to, Salvation from Satan, the ultimate portrayal of mercy, and a saving example from God’s wrath. According to the Old Testament, reparation for transgressions can only happen if blood is shed. In this case, Jesus’ dying on the cross represented the ultimate atonement. As predicted in Hebrews 9:16, based on the satisfaction of salvation analogy, a model constructed by a Benedictine theologian named Anselm, the only way through which the sins of humanity could have been forgiven was by Jesus Christ dying to save the entire generation and those to come.
Anslem amplified the literature on the relationship between incarnation and atonement that Cur Deus Homo had previously documented. Homo’s analogy tried to explain the interconnection of the two religious beliefs, giving reasons that explained the necessity of the death of Christ. The works of Anselm have remained relevant over the years, proving their standard references in modern churches. Many catholic dogmas being used today directly translate Anslem’s doctrines, derived directly from his theory.
The school of thought highlights ways humanity can adapt to attain salvation from the Creator. Christians are encouraged to follow and abide by these rules to pursue righteousness and happiness through Christ. Although man’s perception from the Western world is geared toward attaining physical comfort and a hedonistic lifestyle, only the spirit occupying the physical body is immortal. In that regard, they should strive to attain and understand their true self while fulfilling their primary goal in life: to fear God and depart from evil.
The fear of God involves leading a life of righteousness attained through the understanding of Christ’s atonement and incarnation. Anslem argued further that Jesus’ incarnation resulted in the hypostatic reunion that paid the liability that man owed God. The idea of incarnation always precedes atonement, even though the two dogmas are greatly intertwined. According to Anselm, a renowned Christian philosopher, the inequities of humanity blurred God’s righteousness, prompting the need for cleansing in a way that could simultaneously restore his holiness and that of humanity. This implies that God had to rescue humanity while in human form, as discussed under the relationship between atonement and incarnation.
Relevance of Incarnation and Atonement to Ministry
Based on the topic of discussion, the importance of incarnation and atonement to ministry cannot be ignored. The first significance is that Christian apostles, pastors, evangelists, and teachers of the law can understand their roles and sacrifices in promoting Biblical teachings and apostolic work through the study of Jesus’ ministry. This is made possible because they can ascertain the sacrifice that Christ made for the sake of their transgressions. The physical pain that He had to persevere to fulfill God’s will was so intense, according to Luke 22:42, which he described as a cup of suffering.
Therefore, the path traveled by Christ and the devastating end of mockery, insult, and crucifixion prompt those who seek to follow his ways. Christians can understand that to propagate His journey to universal salvation, they must wear the armor of courage, confidence, and determination in readiness for any potential physical or spiritual barrier.
Secondly, Jesus’ death on the cross for the sake of Christians’ liberty motivates the latter to finish the work left by Him. The coming and death of Jesus were the ultimate forms of incarnation and atonement, respectively. Christians feel more empowered in their acts of evangelism as they strive to share the knowledge of salvation with more potential believers. God’s love for man is evident through the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and Christians are compelled to spread it to other non-believers through acts such as preaching God’s word, praying for the sick, and helping disenfranchised groups. Their selfless acts can be seen through their charity and willingness to help those in need.
The challenges faced during the mission are not seen as potential threats but rather important stepping stones that must be overcome to achieve favorable results before Jesus’s return. Similarly, His resurrection from death demonstrated His power over nature and signifies the firm faith Christians can explore and use to conquer what seems humanly impossible.
Lastly, Christians can follow the exact instructions that Christ gave to his disciples during their missions in different cities and towns. Jesus set a perfect example that evangelists can emulate to ensure that their message is conveyed and understood. The aspect of atonement and incarnation is evident through His death and prosecution, which he diligently endured because he knew the reward to humanity would be bigger than the physical pain he had to encounter. These two aspects intertwine with Christians’ ministries in that the incarnation of Christ facilitates Christians’ missionary activities as He acts as an ultimate guide for how missions should be conducted. In this section, ministry and mission have been used interchangeably because they are closely correlated.
Findings and Conclusion
Theologians and law teachers have played a key role in ensuring the perpetuity of different religious frameworks. As they dived deeper to analyze the interdependence between different dogmas, they discovered that these facets, like any other scientific discipline, have broad implications on the daily lives of believers. For example, the incarnation of God through Jesus Christ among Christians motivates them in their evangelistic missions of spreading the gospel.
The death of Christ on the cross signified the purification of his people by revealing the unconditional love that God has for humanity, that He could send his only Son to sanctify humanity. In that regard, Jesus is considered the trendsetter for many generations. Throughout this paper, it is evident that the interconnection between incarnation and atonement is significant, and the two phenomena tend to occur concomitantly.
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