The doctrine of the incarnation, that God became man, is an essential teaching of Christianity.   Beyond affirming the fact that Jesus is God made flesh, two questions are worth asking.   First, is there an Old Testament basis for such a teaching or is this a truly new doctrine in the New Testament for Christians?   In answering this, we should focus on what the New Testament authors said.   Did they believe that Jesus’ incarnation was ‘Biblical’ (Old Testament)?   Second, relatedly, what theological significance is there to the doctrine of the incarnation?   I would like to explore John’s answers to these questions in his Gospel, focussing on John’s prologue (1.1-18) and Jesus prayer in chapter 17. John affirms the preexistence of Jesus by declaring the divine identity of Jesus such that, in the beginning when all things were created, He was present and active (1.1-2).   In various other statements and ways, this Gospel continues to present Jesus as ‘one with the Father.’   To sta

 The following review by S. Donald Fortson and Rollin G. Grams of T wo Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church , edited by Preston Sprinkle, appeared in Reformed Faith and Practice.  It is available online at: https://journal.rts.edu/review/two-views-homosexuality-bible-church/.  The issue has only grown since we addressed this issue, and so I offer it on this blog as well.  One matter about which we were insufficiently critical in the review is the notion, represented by Wesley Hill in Two Views , that has come to be called 'Side B' Christians, or 'spiritual friendship.'  This view holds that 'gay' is a neutral or even positive identity rather than a distorted identity caused by sin and from which Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit would cleanse and sanctify and make righteous (1 Corinthians 6.9-11). Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church Preston Sprinkle, ed. Two Views on Homosexuality, the Bible, and the Church. Grand Rapids: Zonderva