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New Studies in Biblical Theology #30
The God Who Became Human: A Biblical Theology of Incarnation (Volume 30)
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. He concludes with a consideration of the theological and existential implications of the incarnation of God.
202 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 26, 2020
2020 reads: 48/52
Rating: 3 stars
Rating: 3 stars
December 31, 2013
Christmas could be called the Feast of the Incarnation. It is indeed the time of celebrating the incarnation of the Son of God--of God truly with us in human flesh. And so it was appropriate to read this during the Days of Christmas and I was richly rewarded.
What Cole sets out to do is outline a biblical theology of the Incarnation. That is, he seeks to uncover the development of the theme of Incarnation from Genesis to Revelation. Along the way, he explores the idea of the creation as God's palace-temple where he walks with creatures who are priest-kings with him. He explores the "theophanies" of the Old Testament, categorizing the language used of God as "anthropomorphic" (describing God with human features), "anthropopathic" (describing God with human emotions), and "anthropopraxic" (describing God in terms of human actions like walking). He considers the appearances of the "angel of the Lord" and would associate with those who consider these as possible pre-incarnate appearances of the Son of God.
He also explores the Messianic passages of scripture and would argue that while they support the idea of the incarnation, cannot be conclusively argued to foretell this. He reminds us of Paul at this point and that the appearing of God in human flesh in Christ was indeed "mystery". He also brings in material on "the theory of theories" by Nicholas Wolterstorff to suggest that all the OT material reflects the reality of the Incarnation that we only fully understand in the New.
He then explores the gospel and epistolic material on Incarnation and how these draw on Old Testament materials. He asks with Anselm of Canterbury the question of "why did God become Man?", answering this from the biblical materials. He concludes with consideration of Revelation and the closing of the circle--a new creation with the Incarnate Lamb ruling a kingdom of priests renewing the garden city of the New Jerusalem. He also reflects on the significance of the Incarnation with some wonderful concluding reflections on the wonder of the Incarnation.
Along the way, he engages some of the speculative questions that have arisen around the doctrine of the incarnation, including whether the Son would have appeared in human flesh even without the fall (a tentative yes), and whether Christ's human nature was fallen or unfallen (he joins most theologians in history in arguing unfallen).
This is part of the New Studies in Biblical Theology series and lives up to the vision of this series as providing scholarly monographs that at the same time serve the leadership of churches in providing a readable account, in this case, of the theology of the Incarnation.
What Cole sets out to do is outline a biblical theology of the Incarnation. That is, he seeks to uncover the development of the theme of Incarnation from Genesis to Revelation. Along the way, he explores the idea of the creation as God's palace-temple where he walks with creatures who are priest-kings with him. He explores the "theophanies" of the Old Testament, categorizing the language used of God as "anthropomorphic" (describing God with human features), "anthropopathic" (describing God with human emotions), and "anthropopraxic" (describing God in terms of human actions like walking). He considers the appearances of the "angel of the Lord" and would associate with those who consider these as possible pre-incarnate appearances of the Son of God.
He also explores the Messianic passages of scripture and would argue that while they support the idea of the incarnation, cannot be conclusively argued to foretell this. He reminds us of Paul at this point and that the appearing of God in human flesh in Christ was indeed "mystery". He also brings in material on "the theory of theories" by Nicholas Wolterstorff to suggest that all the OT material reflects the reality of the Incarnation that we only fully understand in the New.
He then explores the gospel and epistolic material on Incarnation and how these draw on Old Testament materials. He asks with Anselm of Canterbury the question of "why did God become Man?", answering this from the biblical materials. He concludes with consideration of Revelation and the closing of the circle--a new creation with the Incarnate Lamb ruling a kingdom of priests renewing the garden city of the New Jerusalem. He also reflects on the significance of the Incarnation with some wonderful concluding reflections on the wonder of the Incarnation.
Along the way, he engages some of the speculative questions that have arisen around the doctrine of the incarnation, including whether the Son would have appeared in human flesh even without the fall (a tentative yes), and whether Christ's human nature was fallen or unfallen (he joins most theologians in history in arguing unfallen).
This is part of the New Studies in Biblical Theology series and lives up to the vision of this series as providing scholarly monographs that at the same time serve the leadership of churches in providing a readable account, in this case, of the theology of the Incarnation.
April 28, 2016
D. A. Carson claims about this series, "Above all, these monographs are creative attempts to help thinking Christians understand their Bibles better" (from the "Series Preface"). I've found this generally to be true of the NSBT series, and this volume is indeed such a creative attempt. It does succeed in the "help" part too. That said, I tried to use this as a companion volume for my students in a college course, and that move exposed how loaded the volume is with assumptions that the reader is fluent in Greek, Hebrew, Latin, biblical studies, critical study of the Bible, church history, the historical developments of theology across the history of the church, phrases for the specialist like "Cur Deus Homo" (and multitudes more), contemporary debates and divides in biblical and systematic theology, etc. What I mean is that that the author references ideas in all these areas throughout the entire book without explaining them. Thus the target audience for this one becomes (and this surprised me a little, but it's true) extremely narrow. It's safe to say you need seminary training to read the book without looking up this or that repeatedly. Like many volumes in this series, it needed a thorough edit but apparently didn't receive one. It's a shame. The content is 5 star, but the fact that it violates the intent of the series as a whole surely brings it down to 3.5 stars or so. I suppose I'll give it 4. --- RMF
December 26, 2017
This book is useful, but not a classic. I remain pretty unconvinced about modern Biblical Theology as a helpful way of approaching doctrinal questions.
October 7, 2024
At first I wasn't totally sold on this one, but gradually, it revealed its value and beauty. The work treats the incarnation of Christ in an almost chronological fashion, discussing the anthropomorphic ways in which God revealed Himself in the Old Testament texts to the way the New Testament describes the actual incarnation. Through a plethora of quotations the author discusses the nature of the Incarnation as St. Paul categorises it, a mystery, unknown or fathomed by any OT author. Also interesting about this book is its balance. Beginning with creation, it speaks about a God wanting to build a temple for himself, and a presence - man (Genesis). The OG icon of God (man) having failed, God comes Himself. He is His own image, His actual presence, and that changes everything. The book ends with the End - the New Jerusalem, where no temple is needed as all are in God's presence.
The series, of which this title is part of, is quite didactic. It remains scholarly but in an adequate way, enjoyable reading. I've read testimonies from others that describe the same thing. It pretty much is for the regular Christian attemtping to find new ways of reading his Bible. Some side-chapters deal in more extravagant ideas or ways of interpretation, while others present basic principles.
Anyhow, a well deserved 4.5 out of 5.
The series, of which this title is part of, is quite didactic. It remains scholarly but in an adequate way, enjoyable reading. I've read testimonies from others that describe the same thing. It pretty much is for the regular Christian attemtping to find new ways of reading his Bible. Some side-chapters deal in more extravagant ideas or ways of interpretation, while others present basic principles.
Anyhow, a well deserved 4.5 out of 5.
November 4, 2021
Briefly, I would say this is a 4-star book if based on the author’s aim. I think his treatment of OT texts is better but the NT is weaker. There is no discussion of Philippians 2 or Colossians 1. No treatment of the Gospel of Luke at all. So while the book didn’t aim to be exhaustive it was certainly not nearly as thorough in a biblical survey as other books in this series.
There is also little discussion of the church councils or creeds. Chalcedon is affirmed explicitly and virtually assumed throughout. This is no surprise in a way because it’s aiming to give an biblical theology not a systematic one.
The weakness of the book though is if I were to hand to a lay person, with little knowledge of christology their gap it would not be helpful for them. This is a good supplemental resource for those who have a good working knowledge of the incarnation and christology. It serves as a useful check to the theologian who may be a little too caught up in theological concerns and has lost a sense of critical exegesis.
There is also little discussion of the church councils or creeds. Chalcedon is affirmed explicitly and virtually assumed throughout. This is no surprise in a way because it’s aiming to give an biblical theology not a systematic one.
The weakness of the book though is if I were to hand to a lay person, with little knowledge of christology their gap it would not be helpful for them. This is a good supplemental resource for those who have a good working knowledge of the incarnation and christology. It serves as a useful check to the theologian who may be a little too caught up in theological concerns and has lost a sense of critical exegesis.
August 22, 2023
This was probably my least favorite read in the NSBT series yet. This read more like a dissertation than something that practically effected my present walk with Christ. I don’t think this volume would be approachable to a lay person; and I don’t know the value it carries in todays Christological debates. This would have been a great volume to drop into the Christilogical arena of the first through third centuries. You could imagine Augustine and Nicholas quoting it; but alas I don’t know if it presents anything that really effects the present conversation.
December 15, 2020
Well written and easy to read. Full of Augustine.
April 26, 2025
I was very excited for this book but was disappointed in its thoroughness, methodology, and some of its conclusions/phrasings. Unfortunately, it may be the least helpful in the series.
December 8, 2021
Fine, not great. If you are interested in the debated issues and the current state of scholarship regarding the incarnation and Old Testament theophanies then you will appreciate this book. If you're looking for biblical theology that leads you to a greater appreciation of the incarnation itself then you may be slightly disappointed. It's no crime to call attention to contested views on matters of importance, but the book's focal point was shifted off-center. The book was weighed more heavily towards addressing unique views held by obscure theologians, and, as a result, was light on a clearly articulated biblical theology.
That said, the book is not bad. The chapters on Cur Deus Homo and on God preparing the way in the hope of Israel were really good. In the latter, the author answers the question: What was the hope of Israel in the Old Testament? And did it include the hope of God incarnate? He begins by summarizing: "One way of summing up the hope of Israel as presented in the canon of the Old Testament is that it was a hope for a new state of affairs, whether a new song on the lips of God's people, as in Psalm 40:3, or a new covenant, as in Jeremiah 31:31, or a new spirit and a new heart within God's people, as in Ezekiel 36:26, or a new heavens and a new earth, as in Isaiah 65:17. Indeed there was hope that God himself would come to set the world aright (Ps. 96). The God of the Bible is the God who can do a new thing." He then traces the two aspects of Israel's hope: (1) for a human savior to deliver and restore the kingdom (whether as "a prophet like Moses" or as "a Davidic king") and (2) for God himself to deliver his people. Cole argues that now, with the light of the New Testament, there is a clear path through the whole of Scripture in which we can see God preparing his people for an incarnate Christ, even though the concept of incarnation was unexpected to Old Testament saints.
That said, the book is not bad. The chapters on Cur Deus Homo and on God preparing the way in the hope of Israel were really good. In the latter, the author answers the question: What was the hope of Israel in the Old Testament? And did it include the hope of God incarnate? He begins by summarizing: "One way of summing up the hope of Israel as presented in the canon of the Old Testament is that it was a hope for a new state of affairs, whether a new song on the lips of God's people, as in Psalm 40:3, or a new covenant, as in Jeremiah 31:31, or a new spirit and a new heart within God's people, as in Ezekiel 36:26, or a new heavens and a new earth, as in Isaiah 65:17. Indeed there was hope that God himself would come to set the world aright (Ps. 96). The God of the Bible is the God who can do a new thing." He then traces the two aspects of Israel's hope: (1) for a human savior to deliver and restore the kingdom (whether as "a prophet like Moses" or as "a Davidic king") and (2) for God himself to deliver his people. Cole argues that now, with the light of the New Testament, there is a clear path through the whole of Scripture in which we can see God preparing his people for an incarnate Christ, even though the concept of incarnation was unexpected to Old Testament saints.
February 22, 2023
The God who Became Human is part of the New Studies in Biblical Theology and is an in-depth look at the incarnation.
Graham Cole begins with Genesis and looks at the times when God is described as having human physical features, such as hands, face or performing human actions, such as standing, walking or expressing human emotions such as grief (Genesis 6:6). These incidents are described in various ways and attributed to God or the Lord or the angel of the Lord. Cole believes these times were God’s way of preparing his people for the incarnation in veiled ways. There are many of these incidents but they become increasingly rarer as we move towards the end of the Old Testament.
Next Cole discusses Jesus’ incarnation and why did God become human. He gives six reasons from his own research and that of others. These are: to reveal the Father to us, to redeem us, to represent us to God as our Great High Priest, to substitute sacrificially for us, to defeat the evil one and to model true humanity. Finally, he discusses the significance of the incarnation.
Cole concludes that the reason for the incarnation is God’s love for his people and his desire to dwell with them. He finishes his book with John’s words: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world …” (1 John 4:9).
The book is well-written but quite heavy going at times.
Overall, an insightful read.
Graham Cole begins with Genesis and looks at the times when God is described as having human physical features, such as hands, face or performing human actions, such as standing, walking or expressing human emotions such as grief (Genesis 6:6). These incidents are described in various ways and attributed to God or the Lord or the angel of the Lord. Cole believes these times were God’s way of preparing his people for the incarnation in veiled ways. There are many of these incidents but they become increasingly rarer as we move towards the end of the Old Testament.
Next Cole discusses Jesus’ incarnation and why did God become human. He gives six reasons from his own research and that of others. These are: to reveal the Father to us, to redeem us, to represent us to God as our Great High Priest, to substitute sacrificially for us, to defeat the evil one and to model true humanity. Finally, he discusses the significance of the incarnation.
Cole concludes that the reason for the incarnation is God’s love for his people and his desire to dwell with them. He finishes his book with John’s words: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world …” (1 John 4:9).
The book is well-written but quite heavy going at times.
Overall, an insightful read.
May 6, 2025
This volume doesn’t really offer anything new—but do we need new things when it comes to the Incarnation?
What the author does aim for is a biblical-theological approach to the doctrine by tracing recurring themes. To his credit, he rightly emphasizes that the Incarnation is preceded by a long pattern of anthropopraxis and anthropomorphism. From the beginning, there is an expectation: God will be with his people. We see this in Eden, where God’s presence is lost; in his visit to Abraham; and then more fully in his dealings with Moses. These early chapters were lucid, engaging, and pastorally insightful.
But as the volume progressed, it lost momentum. The latter sections lacked the energy of the opening chapters. The theological trajectory became predictable, and the thematic exploration started to feel more like repetition than development.
That said, this could serve well as an introductory volume—a solid entry point for someone exploring the biblical foundations of the Incarnation and its ongoing significance for Christian life and theology.
83% Emmanuel.
What the author does aim for is a biblical-theological approach to the doctrine by tracing recurring themes. To his credit, he rightly emphasizes that the Incarnation is preceded by a long pattern of anthropopraxis and anthropomorphism. From the beginning, there is an expectation: God will be with his people. We see this in Eden, where God’s presence is lost; in his visit to Abraham; and then more fully in his dealings with Moses. These early chapters were lucid, engaging, and pastorally insightful.
But as the volume progressed, it lost momentum. The latter sections lacked the energy of the opening chapters. The theological trajectory became predictable, and the thematic exploration started to feel more like repetition than development.
That said, this could serve well as an introductory volume—a solid entry point for someone exploring the biblical foundations of the Incarnation and its ongoing significance for Christian life and theology.
83% Emmanuel.
May 19, 2019
There isn't much in this monograph that's particularly groundbreaking, but when your subject is Christology, breaking new ground usually means straying into heresy. That is to say, the lack of novelty here is a good thing. Cole provides a nice, brief summary of the biblical teaching on incarnation, beginning with the way God prepared His people for the subject in the Old Testament (via presentation of creation as His Temple, and anthropomorphic language) and concluding with the New Testament exposition of the Christ event. The best part of the book is, in my opinion, the final chapter, which enumerates all the important theological and existential implications of God's enfleshment.
My one complaint would be that this book may be too short for its own good. Many points could have used further development. In the end, it's best to remember this is a brief survey rather than an exhaustive treatment. I can't say that this is a must-read, but it's certainly worth anyone's time.
My one complaint would be that this book may be too short for its own good. Many points could have used further development. In the end, it's best to remember this is a brief survey rather than an exhaustive treatment. I can't say that this is a must-read, but it's certainly worth anyone's time.
December 1, 2020
This book is a good primer on the Theology of the Incarnation. I recommend it
As a down side, It reads quite dry for the most (there are a few exceptions). Many times reading I was left to wonder if the author was pulling his devotional "punches" for a grand finale in the conclusion. Unfortunately I finished this book wanting for more, more application, a bigger sense of awe and wonder for this central truth of the Christian Faith.
Don't let this criticism dissuade from acquiring and reading the book, just don't be afraid to stop and ponder on the implications of what is being said because the author does very little of it throughout it. (hence the 4 star rating).
Happy I read it.
As a down side, It reads quite dry for the most (there are a few exceptions). Many times reading I was left to wonder if the author was pulling his devotional "punches" for a grand finale in the conclusion. Unfortunately I finished this book wanting for more, more application, a bigger sense of awe and wonder for this central truth of the Christian Faith.
Don't let this criticism dissuade from acquiring and reading the book, just don't be afraid to stop and ponder on the implications of what is being said because the author does very little of it throughout it. (hence the 4 star rating).
Happy I read it.
April 16, 2020
This engaging work explores issues related to the incarnation throughout the overall story of the Bible. I enjoyed Cole's handling of the anthropomorphic language of God especially in the story of Creation, the Patriarchs, and Judges. Cole offers some helpful language to the discussion--especially his use of 'divine concomitance.' He demonstrates a broad engagement with other theologians and philosophers: ancient, modern, Protestant, and Catholic. As Cole often does, he provides new ways to think about old conversations that bring complex issues into a clearer light.
December 13, 2016
On the whole, this book is informative, helpful, and well written. Most of the real points of intrigue for me were in the first half. The second half of the book covers well worn ground, and ends with a bit of a whimper, but will be helpful for anyone looking for a thorough account of the incarnation from a biblical-theological perspective.
January 28, 2021
Decent insight, but often reads as though the author were summarizing the views of other writers rather than offering his own. The exception to this is Chapter 6, a fine chapter on the significance of the Incarnation. I'm afraid this book would grade out much more poorly apart from that.
January 17, 2019
Really insightful.
December 16, 2020
Useful. Written in that scholarly way these things have to be written - eg. far too many quotes from other writers.
Finishes strongly.
Finishes strongly.
September 13, 2018
A helpful discussion of the incarnation in the wider context of the Bible's storyline. Cole uses the idea of "divine concomitance" alongside the traditional categories of transcendence and immanence: "he comes alongside, dwells with and travels with his people." The incarnation is thus a primary expression of a larger biblical theme that Cole traces from Genesis to Revelation.
In terms of Old Testament expectation, Cole traces two lines – human and divine – that anticipate, but do not demand, an incarnation. Texts such as Psa 45 and Isa 9 are consistent with a divine-human Messiah and form part of a trajectory that leads to the coming of such a figure, but this expectation was not fully developed in Old Testament theology.
Cole's explorations include discussions of both biblical passages (including close readings of some texts) and of theological debates. These latter discussions are very brief, so only serve as either a gateway into the debates for those who are interested or a refresher for those who have studied the issues before. Throughout, Cole refers to a range or older and more modern commentators.
The main weakness I felt was Cole's treatment of post-atonement incarnation – areas such as the significance of Christ's ongoing humanity and the nature of the Christian's eternal hope were underdeveloped. But even with that weakness, there is so much to commend this book.
In terms of Old Testament expectation, Cole traces two lines – human and divine – that anticipate, but do not demand, an incarnation. Texts such as Psa 45 and Isa 9 are consistent with a divine-human Messiah and form part of a trajectory that leads to the coming of such a figure, but this expectation was not fully developed in Old Testament theology.
Cole's explorations include discussions of both biblical passages (including close readings of some texts) and of theological debates. These latter discussions are very brief, so only serve as either a gateway into the debates for those who are interested or a refresher for those who have studied the issues before. Throughout, Cole refers to a range or older and more modern commentators.
The main weakness I felt was Cole's treatment of post-atonement incarnation – areas such as the significance of Christ's ongoing humanity and the nature of the Christian's eternal hope were underdeveloped. But even with that weakness, there is so much to commend this book.
June 24, 2013
This is an excerpt, you can read the full review here:
http://mydigitalseminary.com/the-god-...
Cole makes some great insights and helps brings together varied themes in one cohesive presentation. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic, but an in-depth study would probably need to be supplemented with other books, which is always a good thing to do anyway, but particularly so here due to its brevity.
Ultimately, The God Who Became Human stimulates deeper reflection on the Scriptures, particularly in regards to Old Testament themes that form a foundation for the incarnation and God's purposes in taking on flesh for our redemption. What a wonderful mystery, God with us!
[Special thanks to Penny Glover and IVP UK for providing a copy of this book in return for a balanced review]
http://mydigitalseminary.com/the-god-...
Cole makes some great insights and helps brings together varied themes in one cohesive presentation. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic, but an in-depth study would probably need to be supplemented with other books, which is always a good thing to do anyway, but particularly so here due to its brevity.
Ultimately, The God Who Became Human stimulates deeper reflection on the Scriptures, particularly in regards to Old Testament themes that form a foundation for the incarnation and God's purposes in taking on flesh for our redemption. What a wonderful mystery, God with us!
[Special thanks to Penny Glover and IVP UK for providing a copy of this book in return for a balanced review]
December 20, 2014
Great book, soundly argued and well punctuated with quotations from all the major writers. Slightly disappointed not to get at least one quote from Desi Alexander who has written some of the finest material on some of the key themes dealt with here. Nevertheless a great book, perfect for the season.
Read
September 28, 2013havent read it yet,,,
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