The God Who Became Human: A Biblical Theology of Incarnation (Volume 30) (New Studies in Biblical Theology)

Preaching 's Preacher's Guide to the Best Bible Reference Seeking an answer to Anselm's timeless question, "Why did God become man?" Graham Cole follows Old Testament themes of preparation, theophany and messianic hope through to the New Testament witness to the divinely foretold event. This New Studies in Biblical Theology volume concludes with a consideration of the theological and existential implications of the incarnation of God. Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead. Series preface Author's preface Abbreviations Introduction Why this book? Assumptions Praeparatio evangelica The Plan of the book 1. God prepares the way from the beginning God and God's image The portrayal of God in the beginning Some early Christian commentary God prepares the way to what end? God prepares the way by promise Conclusion Excursus: Would the incarnation have taken place irrespective of the Fall? 2. God prepares the way in his dealings with Abraham and Abraham's Old Testament children The patriarchal story and the 'embodied' God Abraham and the three visitors Jacob and the wrestler The Mosaic story and the 'embodied' God The Judges story and the 'embodied' God The former prophets and the 'embodied' God The latter prophets and the 'embodied' God Conclusion 3. God prepares the way in Israel's hope The hope for a divine Messiah Israel's hope and the incarnation: key texts revisited Intertestamental hopes Typology and incarnation Conclusion 4. The great mystery In retrospect But incarnation? Conclusion Excursus: the pre-incarnate Christ, theophany and the Old Testament debate 5. Cur Deus homo New Testament answers The timing of the incarnation: insight from Thomas Aquinas Conclusion Excursus: Did the divine Son assume fallen or unfallen human nature? 6. The significance of the incarnation Theological significance Existential significance Conclusion 7. Conclusion Appendix: The theological interpretation of Scripture Bibliography Index of authors Index of Scripture references Index of ancient sources Seeking An Answer To Anselm's Timeless Quiestion, Why Did God Become Man? Graham Cole Follows Old Testament Themes Of Preparation, Theophany And Messianic Hope Through To The New Testament Witness To The Divinely Foretold Event. He Concludes With A Consideration Of The Theological And Existential Implications Of The Incarnation Of God. God Prepares The Way From The Beginning -- God Prepares The Way In His Dealings With Abraham And Abraham's Old Testament Children -- God Prepares The Way In Israel's Hope -- The Great Mystery -- Cur Deus Homo -- The Significance Of The Incarnation. Graham A Cole. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 175-191) And Indexes.