"God with His omnipotent power could have restored human nature in many other ways" than via the incarnation, says Thomas (ST III:1.2). But here are 10 ways the incarnation is extremely fitting for our salvation.
1. It establishes our faith, which rests in the truth, who came to us in person.
2. It establishes our hope, which rests on the greatness of this demonstration of God's love for us.
3. It enkindles our love, because even if we find it hard to love God we can easily love him back.
2. It establishes our hope, which rests on the greatness of this demonstration of God's love for us.
3. It enkindles our love, because even if we find it hard to love God we can easily love him back.
4. It gives us an example to follow, because while it is hard to follow the invisible God, we can follow him incarnate.
5. It gives us a measure of participation in the divinity, because "as God was made man, so man can be god."
5. It gives us a measure of participation in the divinity, because "as God was made man, so man can be god."
6. It shows that the devil is not superior to humanity, since the Son of God took humanity into union w/himself.
7. It shows us the dignity of humanity, and teaches us that sin is not appropriate to that dignity.
8. It stops presumption, since God had to make the first move.
7. It shows us the dignity of humanity, and teaches us that sin is not appropriate to that dignity.
8. It stops presumption, since God had to make the first move.
9. It humbles pride, by displaying such great humility.
10. It exalts God's justice and overcomes the devil because "unless He was God, He would not have brought a remedy; and unless He was man, He would not have set an example." (quoting Pope Leo)
10. It exalts God's justice and overcomes the devil because "unless He was God, He would not have brought a remedy; and unless He was man, He would not have set an example." (quoting Pope Leo)
And after listing those ten, Aquinas concludes this little section by adding, "there are very many other advantages which accrued" to us from the incarnation, but some of them are "above man's apprehension."
