Day 4: Incarnation
published on Friday, June 25, 2010 by fg37@duke.edu
At a Glance
Theme
Incarnation
Faculty Speaker
Dr. Warren Smith, Associate Professor of Historical Theology
Lectionary Texts
Exodus 3:1-15; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 2:1-20; John 1:1-18
Reflections on the Lecture
In this morning’s plenary, Dr. Smith invited us to consider the significance and relevance of the incarnation on our theology and practice. We began by exploring the relationship of God the Father to God the Son, the Logos, the one who spoke creation into being. Dr. Smith reminded us that both are eternal, but that in taking on human flesh, the Son willingly limited himself to become limited to time and space. Fully God and fully human, Jesus enabled the redemption of human flesh that had become turned in upon itself and its own desires. Through Jesus’ perfect life and sinless death, humanity is able to see God rightly again and live as God intended for us.
Quotes
“When we love things inappropriately or love the wrong things, we can make our own lives miserable. When we love God first, we can love other things rightly.” — Dr. Smith during morning plenary
“God became man so that we might become God.’” — Dr. Smith, quoting the 4th century theologian Athanasius
“Incarnation. Kenosis. Imitation. Let’s remember these by an acronym. We’ll call it ‘iki.’” — Dr. Richard B. Hays on what Philippians 2:1-11 models for us
Other Activities
Today we celebrated Christ’s incarnation by diving into our second Arts Village workshops, using our bodies to create and live more fully into the people God has created us to be. In the afternoon, the student and staff praise band led a Spirit-filled “jam session” during free time before leading us in worship last night. We were blessed to have the Rev. Dr. Richard B. Hays, professor of New Testament and Dean-elect of Duke Divinity School, preaching and our own Rev. Andrew Thompson celebrating the Eucharist.
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow our doxology will hit a minor note as we move toward the theme of Christ’s passion. Following morning prayer, the Rev. Dr. Edgardo Colón-Emeric will teach our morning plenary. In the afternoon, students will have the opportunity to explore their first prayer practice workshops in different Christian traditions. We look forward to a contemplative evening service led by the Rev. Nathan Kirkpatrick, Managing Director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School.
Dr. Kate Bowler introduced us to the idea of covenant – “a commitment that signifies a reliable bond between people.” Although the idea of covenant is new to some of us, she reminded us that we are all part of a covenant with God through our baptisms. Looking at the Old Testament, we discussed the covenants made with Noah, Abraham, and Moses. Eventually we arrived at the covenant of baptism, finding refreshment once again in the baptismal waters.
In our morning plenary, Dr. Jennings spoke about what it means to be created by God, made in God’s image. Using a powerful mirror analogy, he taught about our need for relationship and connectivity with our creator, who is the authentic image that we as God’s creation reflect. Just as mirrors demand a subject, we depend on God to show us who we are as created in God’s image. We then split into small groups to discuss “case studies” about situations we might encounter in daily life, such as struggles with body image and family illness. How do we as Christians faithfully respond to these challenges knowing that we are created good by God? What words might we use to comfort someone else who is struggling?