What the Incarnation Is and Is Not The Paschal Mystery Course Document # TX001320

Identify the following statements as true or false. (Notes: Each slide contains a statement that students can identify as true or false. The second click on each slide gives the answer. Ask the students to explain why the statement is true or false.)

Mary had no choice in whether she was to be the Mother of God. FALSE (Notes: Because Mary was not restrained by sin, she was freely able to follow God’s will and cooperate in salvation history by being the Mother of God.)

Jesus was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. TRUE (Notes: The biblical account of the Annunciation in Luke affirms this statement.)

To fulfill the promise of the Covenant, God often acts through those who are considered to be weak and powerless. TRUE (Notes: Besides Mary, other examples include God acting through Moses, Hannah, Ruth, and David.)

Jesus is just the first of Mary’s sons. FALSE (Notes: Jesus is Mary’s only child.)

The Church recognizes Mary as remaining a virgin throughout her life. TRUE (Notes: Mary’s perpetual virginity is a sign that Jesus’ conception and birth were a unique moment in history.)

The human and divine natures are all mixed together (sort of like a smoothie) in the one Person of Jesus. FALSE (Notes: Jesus is both true God and true human (man), fully human and fully divine. These substances of human and divine nature are not “blended” or “mixed” in some way in the Person of Jesus.)

Jesus was human like us in all things except sin. TRUE (Notes: The Letter to the Hebrews includes this statement.)

Jesus absorbed our human nature (sort of like a sponge). FALSE (Notes: Jesus did not simply absorb our human nature; he assumed it. In other words, Jesus’ divine nature remained fully present.)

Jesus was made by God the Father. FALSE (Notes: The Council of Nicaea, in 325, affirmed Jesus was “begotten,” but not made, one in being with God the Father.)

The Incarnation is the Word of God made flesh. TRUE (Notes: Jesus is the only Son of the Father; he is the Second Person of the Trinity, the Eternal Word.)

Jesus is made of the same “God-stuff,” substance, or ousia as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. TRUE (Notes: Each Person of the Holy Trinity is a distinct Person, but they are the same Divine Being.)

Because Jesus was fully divine, he did not have to work like everyone else. FALSE (Notes: Jesus worked with human hands.)

Jesus did not have some super- human IQ; he thought with a human mind. TRUE (Notes: The Gospel of Luke tells us that the boy Jesus grew in both age and wisdom.)

Jesus was immune to emotional pain, fear, and heartbreak. FALSE (Notes: Jesus was not immune to emotional pain and suffering; he felt love and heartbreak just as we do. That’s just one aspect of being fully human.)

Because Jesus was fully human, his body had physical limitations. TRUE (Notes: He did feel physical pain and endured immense suffering on the cross.)

Jesus is the savior of all. TRUE (Notes: Jesus commissioned his Apostles to make disciples of all nations; the Church continues this mission to unite all peoples in the love of Jesus.)

“Christ” is the Greek translation of Yahweh. FALSE (Notes: “Christ” is the translation of the Hebrew word messiah, the “anointed.”)

Jesus was sometimes called Lord, a title the Jews used for God. TRUE (Notes: Today when we call Jesus Lord, we too acknowledge his divinity.)