The Nature of the Incarnation

The doctrine of the Incarnation asserts that Jesus Christ is one person with two natures: divine and human. This belief is central to Christian theology, supported by historical church councils and interpretations of scripture. The unity principle emphasizes the importance of recognizing that Christ is truly one person rather than a combination of two distinct entities, while the integrity principle stresses that both natures must be fully acknowledged without diminishing their distinct characteristics. Balancing these principles presents a challenge; for example, adhering too strictly to the unity principle risks neglecting the integrity of Christ’s humanity, leading to misconceptions such as Apollinarianism.