The Incarnation: A Divine Gift Transforming Humanity
Based on quotations from the cited sources, it can be argued that in traditional Christian thought the incarnation of God is indeed seen as a way of elevating man to participation in the Divine nature. In other words, God becomes man to allow humanity the possibility to know, love, and, in a certain sense, become like God. This is not so much the result of man’s own efforts as it is a gift of God’s grace that enables man to become like God.For example, the second document cites a quotation stating that in the 2nd century St. Irenaeus of Lyon declared: "God became man in order that man might become God. In the 4th century, St. Athanasius the Great repeats these words, and later the Blessed Augustine says them. This idea runs through the entire patristic literature. In these words, the entire meaning of salvation is revealed. God becomes man so that man may see God, know God, love God – through this he becomes closer to God, conformed to Him." (source: link txt).Another quotation emphasizes that in the incarnation Christ proved that man can not only contain the Divine presence, like a temple, but also unite with God, becoming a partaker of His nature: "Christ, in becoming incarnate, was the proof, is the proof, and forever will remain the proof that man is so great, so profound, so mysteriously deep, that he can not only contain the Divine presence, like a temple, but can unite with God, become a partaker of the Divine nature, as the Apostle Peter states in his epistle." (source: link txt).An important nuance is that such a transformation is contrasted with man’s attempt—in the case of Adam—to become God by his own proud efforts. One of the sources notes that Adam desired to be God but could not achieve this due to his pride and limitations, whereas the incarnate God willed to transform man into something higher than his original state (source: link txt).Thus, it can be concluded that the incarnation of God is interpreted as a way for man, through the Divine gift and salvation, not to become God by his own efforts, but to be conformed to Him, thereby gaining the ability to participate in His grace and nature.