The Character of God: Responding to Humanity's Fall
The Character of God: Holiness, Justice, and Love
In Romans 3:23-24, Paul writes, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." This passage encapsulates the dilemma of a perfect God responding to a fallen creation. It highlights three essential aspects of God’s character that are key to understanding His redemptive plan:
Holiness
God’s holiness refers to His absolute moral purity and separation from sin. He is utterly distinct and set apart from all that is corrupted by the Fall. This aspect of God’s character demands that sin be dealt with justly, for God cannot tolerate what is contrary to His nature.
Justice
God’s justice ensures that He is fair and righteous in all His ways. Sin, as a violation of God’s moral order, must be punished. The justice of God requires that the consequences of sin—death and separation from God—are enforced, yet it also drives the necessity of a redemptive plan that upholds His righteousness.
Love
Despite humanity’s rebellion, God’s love is steadfast. His love is self-giving and seeks the ultimate good of His creation. While His holiness and justice require that sin be addressed, His love compels Him to seek redemption for humanity, a solution that upholds both His justice and His mercy.
The Dilemma: What Must a Perfect God Do?
God's character creates a divine dilemma in response to the Fall. How can He, being holy and just, deal with sin without compromising His love and mercy?
The Question of Abandonment
A holy and just God could have justly abandoned humanity to the consequences of sin, allowing the curse of death to run its course. This would have been a legitimate outcome based on God’s righteousness, yet it would not align with His loving nature.
The Question of Redemption
God’s love and mercy, however, demand a redemptive solution that addresses the curse of the Fall while satisfying His justice. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is the answer to this divine dilemma, as it provides a means by which God can uphold His justice without abandoning His creation.
The Curse and Its Consequences
The consequences of the Fall are severe and universal, affecting both humanity and all of creation.
The Curse on Humanity
Adam and Eve’s disobedience brought about a curse that resulted in suffering, pain, and death. The perfect relationship between God and humanity was shattered, and every human being inherited the sinful condition introduced by the Fall.
The Curse on Creation
The Fall extended beyond humanity, bringing a curse upon creation itself. The ground was cursed, leading to a world marred by decay, conflict, and futility (Romans 8:20-22). The harmony of God’s original creation was disrupted, necessitating a comprehensive redemption.
The Universal Need for Redemption
The scope of the curse means that redemption must address both individual sin and the cosmic consequences of the Fall. The Incarnation is God’s solution to this universal problem, providing a way for all of creation to be restored.
The Character of God in Question
The tension between God’s attributes—His justice, mercy, faithfulness, and sovereignty—must be resolved in His response to the Fall.
God’s Justice and Mercy
The cross is where God’s justice and mercy meet. Justice demands punishment for sin, while mercy seeks forgiveness. In the Incarnation and atonement of Christ, God’s justice is satisfied as Jesus takes on the penalty of sin, and His mercy is displayed in the offer of forgiveness and reconciliation.
God’s Faithfulness
Despite humanity’s unfaithfulness, God remains committed to His creation. His covenantal faithfulness ensures that He will not abandon what He has made. The promise of redemption is rooted in God’s unwavering commitment to His purposes and people.
God’s Sovereignty
As the sovereign Creator, God has the authority and power to bring about His redemptive plan. His sovereignty ensures that His purposes will be fulfilled, even in the face of human sin and the corruption of creation.
The Solution: The Incarnation and Redemption
The Incarnation is the ultimate expression of God’s character, where His holiness, justice, love, and mercy are perfectly united.
The Incarnation as the Fulfillment of God’s Character
In Jesus Christ, the Word became flesh, entering into the fallen creation to redeem it from within. The Incarnation is God’s perfect solution, addressing the divine dilemma by providing a way to uphold His justice while extending His mercy.
The Cross as the Intersection of Justice and Mercy
On the cross, Jesus bears the penalty for sin, satisfying God’s justice. At the same time, His sacrificial death is the supreme act of God’s love, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to humanity.
The Resurrection and New Creation
The resurrection of Christ is the guarantee that the curse of sin and death has been broken. It marks the beginning of the new creation, where all things will be made new, and the full scope of God’s redemptive plan will be realized.
The Role of Faith
Redemption through Christ requires a response of faith. Humanity is invited to trust in the finished work of Christ, to repent of sin, and to receive the gift of eternal life. This faith reestablishes the relationship between God and humanity, which was broken by the Fall.
Theological Reflection: Athanasius and the Divine Dilemma
Athanasius, in his seminal work On the Incarnation, articulates the necessity of the Incarnation in response to the divine dilemma.
Athanasius on the Incarnation
Athanasius argued that the Incarnation was necessary because God, who created humanity in His image, could not allow His creation to perish in corruption. The divine dilemma was that God’s goodness would not permit the destruction of what He had made, yet His justice required that sin be addressed.
God’s Honor and the Restoration of Creation
For Athanasius, the Incarnation and redemption are not just about saving individuals but about restoring the entire creation to its original purpose. In the Incarnation, God honors His creation by taking on human flesh and defeating death through His own death and resurrection.
The Cosmic Scope of Redemption
The work of Christ is cosmic in scope. It addresses the corruption introduced by the Fall and brings about the renewal of all things. God’s character is vindicated as He both upholds His justice and demonstrates His boundless love.
Conclusion: The Perfect God’s Perfect Solution
God’s response to the Fall is a demonstration of His perfect character. He does not abandon His creation to corruption but provides the solution in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Incarnation is the ultimate expression of God’s love, justice, holiness, and mercy. Through Christ, the curse is reversed, and humanity, along with all creation, is offered redemption.
As we continue to explore these themes, we will delve deeper into how God’s character is revealed in the Incarnation and how this understanding informs our faith and life. The character of God is the bedrock upon which our hope rests, and as we study His redemptive plan, we will see the depth of His love and the wisdom of His ways. Our readers will gain a profound appreciation for the greatness of God’s love and the depths of His wisdom in providing a way for us to be reconciled to Him.
RSS Feed