Incarnation

• Incarnation


  The revelation of God in the image of humanity
• Significance of the example and teaching of Jesus


  • Authoritative source for moral teaching
  • Importance of the sacramental nature of reality
  • Expressions of beliefs about Jesus in symbol and statuary
• Forms of expression - symbol and incarnation


  The religious significance and relevance of the following Christian symbols: Ichthus (fish), Alpha and Omega, Chi-Rho
• How belief in the incarnation has influenced Catholic views about religious art and imagery


  The meaning and significance for Catholics of one sculpture or statue of Jesus and different Christian views about sculptures, statues or images of Jesus
• Belief in Jesus as the incarnate Son


  Scriptural origins (Luke 1:26–38 and Matthew 1:18–24)
• Belief in Jesus as the divine Word


  Scriptural origins (John 1:1–4 and 1:14)
• Scripture


  • Jesus as the fulfilment of the law, a model of virtues and authoritative source for moral teaching as exemplified in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12) and in his teaching on how Christians should respond to those in need (Matthew 25:31–46)
• Tradition


  The meaning and significance of 'the glory of God is a human being, fully alive' from the writings of Irenaeus (Adversus Haereses, 4,20,7)
• Incarnation


  • Being made flesh
  • God took on the full limitations of the human condition when he became human
  • Jesus is fully human and fully divine
• Message from an Angel to Mary

  Mary will conceive and bear a son, Jesus, who will be called the Son of the Most High and the Son of God
• Message from an Angel to Joseph


  Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.
• Annunciation to Mary (Gospel of Luke)


  Annunciation to Joseph (Gospel of Matthew)
• Jesus as the Word of God


  Another name for the Son of God, who is both fully God and a separate part of the Trinity (John 1:1-4)
• Jesus as both fully human and fully God


  Contrasting ways to describe Jesus: Son of Man/Son of God
• The best title for Jesus is 'Son of Man'
• It is more helpful for Christians to focus on Jesus' humanity than to focus on his divinity
• It is not more helpful to focus on Jesus' humanity over his divinity as both are essential parts of his nature
• Ichthus (fish)


  Acronym for 'Jesus Christ, God's Son and Saviour', used by early Christians during persecutions
• Chi-Rho


  First two letters of the Greek word for Christ, X shape reminder of Jesus' death through which he redeemed the world
• Alpha and Omega


  First and last letters of the Greek alphabet, symbolising Jesus' eternity as present at the beginning and end (Book of Revelations)
• How the Incarnation affects Catholic attitudes towards religious art


  • Protestants tend to think there is a danger that having images and sculptures of Jesus leads people to be superstitious and to worship them as idols
  • They might find the sacred heart too upsetting and violent
• Jesus' humanity and divinity


  The essence of the fundamental Christian belief of the incarnation
• Reasons why Christians believe Jesus was the Son of God


  • 2 reasons
• Ichthus


  • Greek for Fish
  • Acronym-Jesus Christ, God's Son and Saviour
  • Used by first Christians- persecutions- as easy to draw on sand and erase- not necessary today
• Chi-Rho


  • First two letters for Greek word for Christ
  • Belief about Messiah
  • X shape reminder of Jesus' death through which he redeemed the world
• Alpha and Omega


  • First and last letters of Greek alphabet
  • Book of Revelations- Jesus said, 'I am the alpha and the omega…'
  • Symbolises Eternity- Jesus there at beginning and end
  • Supports Jesus' divinity- eternal nature
  • Normally found on Paschal Candle/vestments/Christian art
• Ways Christian symbols are used

  • 2 ways
• Catholic attitudes towards religious art due to the Incarnation

  • Acceptable, as the invisible, transcended God made himself known and visible in human form in Jesus
  • Images are not worshipped, only respected - only God is worshipped
  • They help people to focus and pray
• Sacro Sanctum Concilium: ''Very rightly the fine arts are considered to rank among the noblest activities of man's genius and this applies especially to religious art.''
• Catechism: ''Whoever venerates an images venerates the person portrayed in it. The honour paid to sacred images is a 'respectful veneration' not the adoration due to God alone.'
• Contrasting Christian views about statues of Jesus


  • Some think making/using statues is against the second commandment, as Jesus' divinity cannot be portrayed
  • Others think statues can help concentrate on aspects of Jesus' teaching and life, e.g. crucifix, Sacred Heart, Christ the Redeemer
• Ways religious art expresses beliefs about Jesus


  • Nativity art expresses Jesus' full humanity and divinity
  • Crucifix shows Jesus' suffering and love in sacrificing himself
  • Christ the Redeemer statue reflects Jesus' compassion and triumph over death
  • Sacred Heart images show Jesus' self-giving love and suffering
• How the Incarnation has influenced Catholic views on religious art


  • Since God became incarnate, God and Jesus can be shown in human form
  • This does not violate the rule against making images to worship, as the focus is on the Incarnation, not a true portrait of Jesus
• Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law, giving a deeper understanding through his teachings
• The Law


  The commandments and rules given to the Jews
• Jesus taught that having a loving attitude is more important than anything else
• Ways Catholics can be influenced by the parable of the sheep and goats


  • Encourages helping those in need to gain eternal life
  • Teaches that serving others is serving Christ
• It is impossible for Christians to follow Jesus' example and moral teaching
• Irenaeus' writing on the Incarnation


  • The Incarnation is important for bringing God and humans close together
  • Jesus is the perfect human being who followed God's wishes and displayed God's qualities
  • By following Jesus' example, Christians can show that 'Life in man is the glory of God'
  • Jesus reveals God to humans and presents humans to God
• Without the Incarnation, God and Christians would not be able to understand each other