The Glory of Christ in His Humble Condescension | John Owen

Deep Dive into The Glory of Christ by John Owen - The Glory of Christ in His Assumption of the Office of a Mediator - First in His CondescensionIn his work on the glory of Christ, John Owen explores the profound condescension of the Son of God in assuming the role of Mediator. Due to the vast chasm created by human sin, a mediator was strictly necessary to reconcile God and humanity, a role that neither God in His absolute nature nor any mere creature could fulfill. Consequently, Christ willingly took on human nature, which Owen describes as an act of infinite condescension. Because God is infinitely distant from creation and entirely self-sufficient in His eternal blessedness, any interaction with humanity, let alone the incarnation, represents a staggering act of grace and self-humiliation.Owen carefully outlines the specific theological boundaries of this condescension to refute various heresies. He clarifies that Christ did not lay aside or separate Himself from His divine nature; He remained fully God while simultaneously taking on the form of a servant. The incarnation was not a transformation of the divine essence into human flesh, nor was it a blending of the two natures into a new compound. Furthermore, His humanity was not a mere physical illusion. Instead, the eternal Son of God assumed a complete and authentic human nature into union with Himself, temporarily veiling the outward manifestation of His divine glory while subjecting Himself to the genuine trials, temptations, and sufferings of human existence.Finally, Owen argues that contemplating this incomprehensible condescension is spiritually vital. While this mystery remains a stumbling block to those who deny Christ's divine nature, it serves as a secure sanctuary and refuge for distressed sinners. Diligent reflection on Christ's willing self-emptying sustains a believer's faith and provides the ultimate motivation for Christian obedience, inspiring readiness for self-denial and the cross.Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologianYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@ReformedExplainerWorship Music: https://suno.com/playlist/3a498d0f-c90e-4981-8aa7-59834e7239f7https://buymeacoffee.com/edi2730