Christ in Garden Eden
The Pre-Incarnate Christ: The First Revelation of the Word
In an article from December, I wrote about a Theophany in the Old Testament. To be precise: In Exodus, the burning bush. But could it be, that Jesus appeared alredy much earlier, in the Garden Eden, where Adam and Eve were created and walked the earth? But first, I would like to begin with the historical understanding of theophanies.
Definition and Theological Significance of Theophanies
A Theophany is defined as the revelation of God in a manner that surpasses the limits of abstract knowledge or indirect means of revelation, such as through Scripture or prophets. God, remains imperceptible to the human eye in its fundamental nature, but these appearances are the means by which the unseen God interacts directly with his creation. Theophanies are considered fundamental, as they unveil aspects of God's character, His will, and His intention for creation, while simultaneously offering insight into His divine mystery. In the Old Testament, theophanies frequently transpire within specific contexts of covenant or judgment, wherein God reveals Himself to Abraham, Moses, or the Israelites. These appearances do not constitute the full, unmediated presence of God, as such a presence would be overwhelming to human beings (cf. Exodus 33:20), but they are genuine encounters with God's power and His holiness. Theophanies are important to consider when trying to understand how God engages with his world. They are real events that serve to communicate something essential about God's nature and purpose.
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