On the Incarnation
by Athanasius
Reviewed by Joshua Blackburn

Today we stand on the shoulders of giants, but if we're going to stand on giants we should be kind enough to be well acquainted with them. To know where we are we must know from whence we come. On the Incarnation is such a book to inform us. On the Incarnation is the catholic and fundamental beginning of discussion on why God took on flesh and dwelt among us. Simply, it is a classic; a gift from our fathers in the faith. This alone should inspire us to be familiar with it. Secondly, it comes highly recommended by C.S. Lewis; which from a literary standpoint carries its own weight.

The content of such a great book is eloquently concise. First, because the original audience was a young Christian and a friend of Athanasius', Macanus. Secondly, because of Athanasius' clear grasp and mastery of the doctrine. Clearer still, by these two facts, is why On the Incarnation was the catechetical hammer that helped smash heretical Arianism. The arguments Athanasius gives for why the Word took on flesh are succinct and stated in multiple ways to anchor the truth of the incarnation in the minds and hearts of its readers.

To those grounded in the Biblical faith Athanasius offers few surprises. Hence, this works foundational character. At times the book seems too simplistic, but we must resist the temptation to look down our theological noses at the seemingly mundane truths presented. What will keep you, as it kept me, from abiding in such temptation is the devotion towards God in Christ with which it is written. Not only is this book a theological classic, but is an orthodox statement of true devotion. Athanasius places truth where it ought to be: somewhere between the heart and the head.

Two more reasons exist for obtaining this book. One is the introduction by CS. Lewis. If he cannot convince you to read what follows his introduction than few else can. In isolation the introduction is a great work. Secondly, recommending your attention is "The Letter of St. Athanasius to Marcellinus on the Interpretation of the Psalms." Existing as an appendix, the "Letter" is not only an excellent introduction to the Psalms, but goes through Psalm by Psalm giving practical application.

On the Incarnation is a short book, but its truths are long enduring. The language is clear. The explanation of the doctrine of the incarnation is simple, yet profound and worshipful in the fullness of the doctrine's implications. Most importantly the book exalts Christ in His condescending work of reconciling us with God through the cross, which means taking on a true body in order to vicariously bear or sins. So take up and read! Let us and our children, again or for the first time, ponder the mysterious reality of the incarnation of our Lord. Let us read On the Incarnation so that we may stand in awe of our Immanuel. Let us be a people with thankful hearts who know the firm shoulders on which we stand, live, and worship.

The Road to Emmaus
a lecture series by R.C. Sproul Jr.
Reviewed by Rick Saenz

Even when we've come to grips with the fact of the Incarnation, with the truth that God the Son did indeed take on human likeness in order to accomplish our salvation, with the fact that Jesus is both fully God and fully man—even then the difficulty remains of keeping our understanding of the dual nature of Jesus in balance. We are so overwhelmed by the fact of God among us that it distracts us from properly admiring Jesus the man.

But think of it-a perfect man among us! The smartest, wisest, kindest, funniest, most articulate, most courageous, most righteous man who ever lived! Do we even begin to accord this man the respect and admiration that He deserves simply for the earthly life He lived, much less for the greatness of His accomplishment? An invaluable aid in developing such an appreciation of Jesus in His humanity is R.C. Sproul Jr.'s twelve-part series, The Road to Emmaus.

As usual, the title is apt. Just as Jesus did for Cleopas and his companion as the three of them walked the road to Emmaus that first Resurrection Sunday, R.C. begins with Moses and all the prophets, explaining to us what is said in the Old Testament concerning Jesus. And as he proceeds from Adam through the patriarchs to the rest of the valiant figures around whom the story of the Old Testament centers, our eyes begin to open and our hearts begin to burn in us as the realization grows that it is not simply vague and pietistic claptrap to say that the Bible is one story that testifies to one Person, but it is really and specifically true—properly read, the Bible speaks of Jesus on every page.

The key to such a reading is to understand what it means that Jesus is the second Adam. As R.C. shows in his examination of Genesis 1-3, the first Adam was given a job—to exercise dominion over creation and thereby bring glory to God—a job at which he failed miserably. Yet God was gracious, and even as He pronounced the curses upon Adam and Eve for their failure, He promised that another would come who could do the job properly. And from Genesis 4 through Malachi 4, we see God raise up mighty man after mighty man, and each time we ask ourselves the same question—could this be the Christ? And then, finally, we are presented with Jesus, and we watch as—in his humanity—Jesus extracts a victory against odds that make Adam's challenge look like a cakewalk.

There is hardly room here to do justice to the depth and richness you'll find in this study. And perhaps there's no need for it. It may be enough to point out that R.C. 's teaching is at its best in the context of a Tuesday night bible study—relaxed, eloquent, earthy, poignant, accessible—and this particular study is the best of them. It is available on either twelve cassettes or twelve CDs from Draught Horse Press.