The concept of incarnation in philosophical and religious traditions juxtaposed the concept of incarnation in Christianity

• Main Author: Dr Maniraj Sukdaven
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Africajournals 2019-11-01
• Series: Pharos Journal of Theology
• Subjects: incarnation; logos; theosis; deification; avatara
• Online Access: https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_26_vol_100_2019_up.pdf

Incarnation, as per definition in its simplistic form, wherein God assumes a human nature, is central to the Christian doctrine of faith. The premise upon which the uniqueness of the Christian doctrine of incarnation, as opposed to other religious traditions, is embedded in and among other texts of the Christian Bible, and in the Gospel according to John 1:1-18. This article will articulate some of the philosophies in existence at that time which may allegedly have influenced and elicited a response from the writer of the Gospel according to John (GAJ). An attempt will be made to understand how some of these philosophies view incarnation in forms that may not necessarily reflect incarnation as is traditionally understood in Christianity which is primarily ‘God becoming flesh’. Central to the understanding of Christian incarnation is the philosophical concept of logos which emanated in Greek philosophy. Finally, it should become apparent, that the understanding of ‘incarnation’1, in some religious traditions, which will be explored, cannot claim the same uniqueness of the Christian tradition of ‘God becoming flesh’.