Why Would God Become Incarnate?

Abstract

At a basic level there are just four grounds on which it might initially seem plausible for an interventionist God to become incarnate, but, on examination, it appears that none of these provides a strong, let alone a compelling reason to do so; at most, some of them could give rise to a certain constraint on God to become man, but only on the strict presupposition that he is readily and indisputably recognizable as God-man, a condition no reputed historical incarnation could meet. These grounds are, firstly, to rescue mankind, or perhaps more specifically God’s faithful people, from some natural calamity or from tyranny; secondly, to make a decisive revelation of his will and nature, or of urgently needed facts about the world; thirdly, to effect some great spiritual deliverance, an act of cosmic salvation or atonement; and finally, to identify himself personally with man in his spiritual pilgrimage and in his struggle against evil and misfortune. Admittedly, there is considerable overlap between these various motivations, but it is still best to examine them separately.