Incarnation & Exaltation

I enjoy reading various blogs expressing different views and opinions concerning doctrine. Missiology and Soteriology are two hot topics today fueled by the growing emergent and reformed movements. I don't seek to enter into the debates on this blog, but rather seek to address their significant contributions as related to Romans 1:3-4.

In these verses we find both the incarnate and exalted Christ. First we find the Christ who came from the lineage of David according to the flesh as in His human nature. Next we find the Christ who came from the Father in power according to the Spirit as in His divine nature. Thus we have two lines: Christ-David-flesh-human nature-incarnation and Christ-God-Spirit-divine nature-exaltation.

Paul is expressing Christ as fully God and fully man. He is at the same time 100% God and 100% man. Now there is no way for my finite mind to comprehend this; I simply accept it as truth as expressed in His Word. Yet this Christological debate began in the early church and to some extend continues today to which I'll come to later.

I recently listened to a message by Mark Driscoll given at the Desiring God Conference 2006 entitled "The Supremacy of Christ in a Postmodern World." In his message, he addressed the tendency of the emergent church movement to emphasize the human nature of Christ while deemphazing the divine nature of Christ. He goes on to say that the tendency of the reformed church movement is to emphasize the divine nature of Christ while deemphazing the human nature of Christ. The emergent leans toward a more incarnational Christ who is near to man. The reformed leans toward a more exaltational Christ who sits enthroned above all. I realize that this came be a little oversimplified, but I think he has a point.

The Incarnate Christ
Jesus came to earth and became fully man. He became a servant and walked on earth with us. He identified with us in every way except sin. He felt hunger, thirst, and pain. He felt and expressed emotion. He experienced temptation. He tasted death.

We can be encouraged knowing that Christ is a personal God, Savior, and Redeemer. He is not some distant, non-relational, unidentifiable God. He is God With Us. He knows our hurts, counts our tears, and rejoices over us with singing. He kingdom is among us.

The Incarnate Christ has incredible implications as we share Christ with world in need. He has incredible implications as we encourage other believers through the journey of faith.

Yet, we must be careful to balance the incarnate Christ with the exalted Christ lest we speak the Word too contextually leading to a weakened gospel. Identifying with a lost world, becoming all things to all people, understanding our culture, meeting felt needs, etc. are all good but not a full representation of Christ.

The Exalted Christ
Because Jesus conquered sin and death in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection, He is exalted above all. He has been given a name that is above all names all will bow to His authority as Lord. He is mighty, victorious, and the only One worthy of ceaseless power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise.

We can be encouraged know that Christ is our supreme God, Victor, and King. He is not some puny, soft, man-centered God. He is God Almighty. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-ruling, and ever-reigning. His kingdom knows no end.

The exalted Christ has incredible implications as we share Christ with a world in sin. He has incredible implications as we hold fellow believers accountable to holiness.

Yet, we must be careful to balance the exalted Christ with the incarnate Christ lest we speak the Word too unapproachable leading to a weakened gospel. Proclaiming the supremacy of Christ, emphasizing the depravity of man, fleeing from cultural influence, helping people identify their greatest need, etc. are all good but not a full representation of Christ.

Jesus is the incarnate and exalted Christ. He should be known, proclaimed, and displayed as both fully God and fully man.