Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian Theology
Category 1: God’s Nature vs. Christ’s Earthly Life
1. Introduction
In Scripture, God is revealed as glorious, majestic, and exalted. Psalm 104:1 declares, “Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.” Yet when the Son of God entered the world, Isaiah prophesied that He would be “despised and rejected of men” (Isaiah 53:3), and the Gospels confirm this sobering reality. This paradox reveals a deep theological mystery: the One deserving all honour was subjected to disgrace and scorn.
2. God Is Glorious
2.1 Scriptural Foundations
- “The heavens declare the glory of God” – Psalm 19:1
- “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” – Isaiah 6:3
- “Who is like unto thee, O LORD… glorious in holiness, fearful in praises?” – Exodus 15:11
2.2 Theological Implications
- God’s glory is intrinsic, not borrowed—it radiates from His holiness, power, and beauty.
- His glory evokes worship, awe, and reverence, as seen in the temple (1 Kings 8:11) and in heavenly visions (Revelation 4).
3. Yet Christ Was Despised
3.1 Scriptural Witness
- “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows…” – Isaiah 53:3
- “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” – John 1:11
- “They struck him on the head… spat on him, and led him away to crucify him.” – Matthew 27:30–31
3.2 Earthly Humiliation
- Christ’s birth in a manger (Luke 2:7), poverty (Matthew 8:20), and rejection by the religious elite (John 7:48) all manifest His voluntary descent into human lowliness and dishonour.
4. Theological Resolution: Glory Hidden for Redemption
| Divine Attribute | Earthly Paradox |
|---|---|
| God is glorious | Yet Christ was mocked, beaten, and crucified |
| God is honoured | Yet Christ was insulted and rejected by men |
- Christ’s glory was not absent, but veiled (Philippians 2:6–8).
- This was not divine weakness, but divine humility, orchestrated for salvation.
5. Historical Theological Perspectives
5.1 Early Church
- Irenaeus: Christ’s humiliation is the reversal of Adam’s pride.
- Athanasius: The Word became flesh not to impress, but to redeem.
5.2 Medieval and Reformation Theology
- Anselm: Christ’s rejection was part of His satisfaction for sin.
- Luther: “The true theology is the theology of the cross”—God reveals His glory in suffering and shame.
5.3 Modern Insights
- Karl Barth: The glory of God is revealed not in human success, but in the Cross.
- T.F. Torrance: The descent into humiliation was volitional and salvific.
6. Doctrinal and Devotional Implications
6.1 Redefining Glory
- Christ teaches that true glory involves sacrifice (John 12:23–24).
- The Cross becomes the climax of divine glory in paradox (John 17:1).
6.2 Comfort for the Rejected
- Believers who are scorned for righteousness can take heart—they follow in the footsteps of Christ (Matthew 5:11–12).
6.3 Worship Rooted in Humility
- Glory in the Christian life is not self-exaltation, but Christ-exaltation—through obedience and self-denial (Philippians 2:5–11).
7. Conclusion
That the glorious God was despised in the flesh reveals the radical nature of divine love. Christ chose the path of humiliation so that we might share in His exaltation. The one whose glory fills heaven wore a crown of thorns, that sinners might be crowned with life. This paradox calls us to behold the beauty of a suffering Saviour and glorify Him who was once despised.
References
- The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)
- Irenaeus. Against Heresies
- Athanasius. On the Incarnation
- Anselm. Cur Deus Homo
- Luther, M. Heidelberg Disputation
- Barth, K. Church Dogmatics
- Torrance, T.F. Incarnation: The Person and Life of Christ