Incarnation without sin?
“If there is a natural, there is a spiritual,” Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15. This is often read as a statement about two states: As soon as Adam was created a living soul, he was destined to rise to the state of “Spirit.” In context, though, this contrast is a contrast not of two states of one man, but of two men. Paul immediately goes on to identify the natural/soulish with “the first man” and “live-giving Spirit” with the second.
Hence, Paul’s if-then statement appears to mean: If there is Adam, there is also an eschatological Adam. Once God creates through the Word, He commits Himself be incarnate as the word.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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