Author's preface
Author’s preface
This study has surprised me. In contributing to a series of biblical theology studies rather than to a systematic theology one, I expected to trace a biblical theme from Genesis to Revelation in biblical theology style with careful attention to the unfolding biblical plotline, and then to tease out some larger theological implications of the text.
What I found was that the incarnation per se was not explicitly part of the Old Testament hope, but if certain Old Testament texts are read with a subtle typological method, then arguably the idea is there in a hidden way. Augustine’s argument that what was latent in the Old Testament becomes patent in the New comes readily to mind. This should not surprise, as Paul teaches us the incarnation is a mystery – something hidden in the plan of God that now stands revealed once Jesus has come.
Even so, there is a background in the Old Testament without which the incarnation would be unintelligible. Here is yet another instance where Christology needs to be done from behind in the light of God’s dealings with Israel. The incarnation is a stupendous divine deed. To think that God incarnate wept human tears at the tomb of his friend Lazarus is astounding. There is continued debate as to whether suffering may be ascribed to the God of the Bible, but there is no debate that in classical Christianity Christ suffered in his human nature.
I am grateful to my graduate assistant at Beeson Divinity, David Matlak, who did so much fetching of material for me. I am also in the debt of Dr John Momson for alerting me to some important Jewish literature pertinent to this study. Dr Peter Adam and I spent more than one breakfast in Melbourne, Australia, talking on this theme. And I am thankful to him for his insights. The astute series editing and criticisms of D. A. Carson are always appreciated, as is the patient publishing editing of Philip Duce of Inter-Varsity Press. Eldo Barkhuizen did a superb job of copy-editing and I am grateful to him. My wonderful wife, Jules, has been as supportive as ever. This study has made me appreciate even more the wonder that we live on a visited planet and that the Father sent no surrogate to share our human lot but sent his Son, who, as the ancient Nicene Creed says, ‘For us and for our salvation… came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Virgin Mary and became truly human.’
Graham A. Cole