My limited Spanish helps me at least know that Carne means meat. Wiktionary defines this Spanish term as: flesh, the soft part of a body which covers the bones. OR, an animal’s meat, or by extension the edible “fleshy” part of a fruit or vegetable.
The incarnation is a mystery, but so interesting. The abstract being in human form. The God beyond our complete knowing entering into human form through interaction with a young girl named Mary in a baby she is told to call Jesus. But there are other incarnations as well. there are other fleshy becomings. Other abstract ideas emodied in flesh.
Martin Luther, while exploring the meaning behind John 15:19, explained that there are people filled with the devil incarnate who try to keep us from doing good. Luther, as a matter of fact, writes often about the devil incarnate in this way. (LW 24:271)
Luther also writes about another incarnation when he is exploring the meaning behind Galatians chapter 3 through Galatians 4:5. He writes that concrete faith is not abstract. Faith is always working through love. Faith causes faithful works. (LW 26:264) Later he writes that, ” . . . [faith] is incarnate and becomes man, that is, it neither is nor remains idle or without love.” (LW 26:272)
Faith incarnate. In the theological texts I have seen that explore Luther’s thougths, none spoke about the three incarnations: God incarnate, devil incarnate, faith incarnate. Most of them simply use the term incarnation and assume the readers know it is talking about God incarnate. God come in the flesh. Jesus Christ. Luther, however, in his writing, explores all three quite abundantly. He identifies them clearly. Each being important to know.
Luther shows how faith incarnate plays out in the commandments when he gives the commandments explanations. He writes about the commandment thou shalt not steal and says that it actually means that we not just sit on our hands and succesfully not steal but that we actively help others to protect what is theirs. Incarnational faith does not measure itself against the law but excells beyond the law, hardly knowing the law exists.
Luther goes on to write about the command that says, thou shalt not bear false witness. So should we sit on our hands and tape out mouths shut in order to measure ourselves agains the law? No way! He writes that we actually get active and defend other’s reputations. This is faith incarnate.
John 1:14 talks about the word becomign flesh and dwelling among us. In the original languages this actually means, God tenting among us. Look it up. The incarnation is a dwelling in the flesh. It is a tenting among us. Tenting is temporary. Incarnational living . . . is it temporary? Maybe not temporary as much as it is always on the move. Incarnational faith is always on the move.
Merry Christmas – God with us, Immanuel – the incarnation.
