Lecture Notes: The Reason for the Incarnation in Aquinas' Theology
Key Concepts
- Incarnation: Central to the Catholic faith; God becoming human in the form of Jesus.
- Motives of the Incarnation: Why God became human; explored in Aquinas' Summa Theologiae, Part III.
Aquinas' Exploration
Fittingness of Incarnation
- Objections to Incarnation:
- Some non-Christian traditions like the Albigensians and critics in the Islamic tradition argue against God's Incarnation due to the nature of material existence and divine transcendence.
- Aquinas' Response:
- God's Goodness: God's goodness is communicative, creating and offering grace as an expression of love.
Necessity of Incarnation
- Redemption Without Incarnation:
- God could theoretically redeem without Incarnation, but it was the most fitting and effective way to communicate grace.
Benefits of the Incarnation
Unites Us to Our True Good
- Intellectual Union: Knowing God through Jesus.
- Strengthening Hope: God's commitment through becoming human.
- Inspiring Love and Charity: God’s willingness to suffer human death shows immense love.
- Model for Living: Christ serves as an example.
- Divinization: Demonstrates potential for human union with God.
Withdrawal from Evil
- Free from Idolatry: Clearer distinction between God and worldly powers.
- Human Dignity: Reflects human honor as God became human.
- Remedy for Presumption: Salvation through God’s mercy, not human effort alone.
- Cure for Pride: Christ’s humble life and death.
Atonement through Incarnation
- Justice Restoration: Right relationship between humanity and God through Christ.
- Christ’s Obedience: Has infinite merit due to divine nature, enabling atonement for sins.
Conclusion
- Exploration of Redemption: Understanding of divine wisdom and mystery.
- Theological Study: Aquinas’ work as an example of profound theological inquiry.
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