But supposing God became a man - suppose our human nature…
““But supposing God became a man - suppose our human nature which can suffer and die was amalgamated with God's nature in one person - then that person could help us. He could surrender His will, and suffer and die, because He was man; and He could do it perfectly because He was God. You and I can go through this process only if God does it in us; but God can only do it if He becomes man. Our attempts at this dying will succeed only if we men share in God's dying, just as our thinking can succeed only because it is a drop out of the ocean of His intelligence: but we cannot share God's dying unless God dies; and He cannot die except by being a man. That is the sense in which He pays our debt, and suffers for us what He Himself need not suffer at all.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote argues that divine redemption requires God becoming human, so that divine will and human suffering can be united, allowing humanity to share in divine sacrifice.
In simple terms: Redemption needs God to become human to share suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the need for humility and shared sacrifice.
Themes
theity
redemption
humility
sacrifice
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- spiritual practice
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
Incarnation
theology
participation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal suffering relate to larger spiritual truths?
- Can divine sacrifice be understood without literal incarnation?
A Different Perspective
The concept may be challenged by those who reject divine incarnation.