Wednesdays are for Bits and Pieces - 6/29/16
Pieper, Francis. Christian Dogmatics: Volume 2. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1968.
“On the Terminology Used in Describing the Humiliation and Exaltation.” (Loc. 6852)
Pieper states that the Formula of Concord uses “concealment” and “non-use” synonymously. “To say that Christ concealed His divine majesty is the same as saying that He did not use it . . . Christ was true God and yet did not act as God” (Pieper 1968, Loc. 6852). Pieper continues by listing several facets of Jesus’ life in which his divine power and majesty are concealed. This should not have led to theological debate, but it did. “The confusion which characterized the Crypto-Kenotic Controversy sprang largely from the fact that concealment and non-use were regarded as opposites” (Ibid, Loc. 6865). The difficulty that leads to arguments and to apparently self-contradictory statements, including within individual writings of Reformers, is that Jesus did lay aside his divine majesty but at the same time retained it. Pieper cites John 3:13 where Jesus on earth claims to be “on high.” By laying aside his authority we mean Jesus did not use that authority. The result is that the Son of God works “in et cum carne but not always through the human nature” Ibid., Loc. 6915).
Pieper, Francis. Christian Dogmatics: Volume 2. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1968.
“On the Terminology Used in Describing the Humiliation and Exaltation.” (Loc. 6852)
Pieper states that the Formula of Concord uses “concealment” and “non-use” synonymously. “To say that Christ concealed His divine majesty is the same as saying that He did not use it . . . Christ was true God and yet did not act as God” (Pieper 1968, Loc. 6852). Pieper continues by listing several facets of Jesus’ life in which his divine power and majesty are concealed. This should not have led to theological debate, but it did. “The confusion which characterized the Crypto-Kenotic Controversy sprang largely from the fact that concealment and non-use were regarded as opposites” (Ibid, Loc. 6865). The difficulty that leads to arguments and to apparently self-contradictory statements, including within individual writings of Reformers, is that Jesus did lay aside his divine majesty but at the same time retained it. Pieper cites John 3:13 where Jesus on earth claims to be “on high.” By laying aside his authority we mean Jesus did not use that authority. The result is that the Son of God works “in et cum carne but not always through the human nature” Ibid., Loc. 6915).
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