This was a question posed to me by my wife. It was a question that she had seen on Facebook and so I slyly gave the answer, “the sovereignty of God,” which I believe is the ultimate one; but one that skips all the details. Men write books and volumes of book on the incarnation and immutability, so I thought a Facebook question was looking for a simple answer. Anyway, there may be some out there that want a more complete definition, or one includes all the details. So, here we go....
Let’s start with the doctrine of the incarnation, or as it’s also called, the doctrine of eternal Sonship. Christmas is a great time to reflect on the incarnation of Christ, being brought into this world as a baby in Bethlehem, but is this concept even biblical? You see there are two views to this doctrine of the incarnation. The first view, as we have already stated, is properly termed, “incarnational Sonship.” Most who hold this view believe that Christ’s incarnation began with his birth; but others in this strain belief that Christ’s incarnation took place at his baptism, resurrection, or even his exultation, but we will stick with His birth at this seems to be the most common belief. They see the Sonship of Christ as being a role, title, or function that Christ assumed as his incarnation. Interestingly, John MacArthur was one of these advocates, but has since denounced this view in leiu of the second view. This second view teaches that the Son has always been the Son, there is not a time when the Son was not the Son. Christ is and has always been the Son of God. This is not a role, title, or function, but an essential part of who He is. There are several passages that teach the eternal Sonship, I will cite a few:
Colossians 1:14-16 and Hebrews 1:2 teach that Christ was at creation and, in fact, created al things. So, Christ could not have been brought into the world at His incarnation because He already existed. Galatians 4:4 and John 3:16 say that God sent his Son into the world and God gave His son to the world. These verses, being in past tense, show that Christ existed already and was already God’s Son before he was sent into the world (time). And then there is Hebrews 13:8, the strongest evidence to me, it says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Because Jesus is unchanging, then He has always been the Son of God. Now, let’s add one more piece. Enter the doctrine of immutability. This doctrine teaches that God does not change. There are a few thoughts on immutability that need to be stated. First, if something is to change it must do so within the constraints of time, if something changes outside of time we cannot call it “a change” because it never happened. They way we know something changes is because of the time that elapses for it to change. Second, for change to take place, either something that is needed is added, which is a change for the better; or something that is needed is lost, which is a change for the worse. Much like adding something to a recipe can either make it better or worse; or leaving something out a recipe can also make it better or worse. But since God is perfect, he doesn’t need anything and therefore does not change. Third, when a person changes their mind it is because new information has come to light or circumstances are now different. God knows everything so when the Bible speaks of God changing his mind (Exo. 32:14 and 1 Sam. 15:11-f) it is described as a change of dealings towards man. The circumstance or the situation has changed, God has not.
Now to connect these two doctrines of the incarnation and immutability. If you believe that Christ preexisted, but was not always the Son of God, then you have a problem. Because you believe that Christ became the Son of God at some point in history (i.e. His birth), then doctrine of immutability contradicts your viewpoint. However, if you, like myself, believe that Jesus was and always has been the Son of God then the doctrine of immutability complements your viewpoint.
So, to sum up...
....Since the Son has always been then logically he does not change.
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