Fransiscan view of the Incarnation apart and separate from redemption

[Hoosier_Daddy]

A spinoff from another thread

franciscans.beimler.org/Incarnation%20Spirituality.html

The Incarnation is the model for creation: there is a creation only because of the Incarnation. In this schema, the universe is for Christ and not Christ for the universe. Scotus finds it inconceivable that the ‘greatest good in the universe’ i.e. the Incarnation, can be determined by some lesser good i.e. Man’s redemption. This is because such a sin-centered view of the Incarnation suggests that the primary role of Christ is as an assuager of the universe’s guilt. In the Absolute Primacy, Christ is the beginning, middle and end of creation. He stands at the center of the universe as the reason for its existence. In this sense the universe has realized its creational potential more than Man, since it is created with the potential to bear the God-Man and the Incarnation has taken place historically and existentially. Man, as yet, has failed to reach his potential to ‘love one another as I have loved you’.

So, if there were no fall, no sin of mankind, what would the incarnation have looked like? Today is the feast of the immaculate conception which would never have been needed if Mary and all women and men were free from sin.

What would the Redeemer have looked like? Would He have the titles He has now? No kingdom for a King because kings would never have been established. How would this be different from the beatific vision and the earth of Eden we would have continually enjoyed? What would the incarnation have looked like?

Discuss.

 

[Neofight]

A spinoff from another thread

franciscans.beimler.org/Incarnation%20Spirituality.html

So, if there were no fall, no sin of mankind, what would the incarnation have looked like? Today is the feast of the immaculate conception which would never have been needed if Mary and all women and men were free from sin.

What would the Redeemer have looked like? Would He have the titles He has now? No kingdom for a King because kings would never have been established. How would this be different from the beatific vision and the earth of Eden we would have continually enjoyed? What would the incarnation have looked like?

Discuss.

What the Incarnation would look like if there was no fall is irrelevant to the discussion on this point of Franciscan theology. What is relevant is the belief that the Incarnation was always in God’s plan regardless of circumstances.

To the Franciscan, the incarnation was an act of God’s love for His creation, whether every one was sinful, or every one was holy.

Because all things are possible with God, anyone who even remotely assumes the Incarnation was only possible the way it played out, historically and physically, is denying the power, mercy, glory, and love of God.