J.I. Packer said that the coming of Jesus (the Incarnation) was the central mystery of the Christian faith. In Knowing God he said:

“The supreme mystery with which the gospel confronts us, does not lie…in the Good Friday message of atonement, nor in the Easter message of resurrection, but in the Christmas message of Incarnation. The really staggering Christian claim is that Jesus of Nazareth was God made man…” (emphasis added)

That is not to say the crucifixion and resurrection are not mysterious. But if I had to explain to a crowded room either…

1. Exactly how does Christ’s death saves us?
OR
2. Exactly how is the Christ both really God and really man?

…I would definitely choose the first question. But that does not make the doctrine of the incarnation any less significant in our faith.

Continue reading Mystery in the Incarnation →