Introduction. This proposal is essentially a “Part 2” of an article I wrote that is to be published in JETS 67.4, which is entitled, “Corruption of the Imago Dei: the בני האלהים Motif, Giants, and Jude 5-7.” The article is based upon a paper I delivered at the 75th ETS gathering in San Antonio on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, and at the Southwest Regional ETS gathering on Friday, April 12, 2024, in Shawnee, OK, (Oklahoma Baptist University).
Context. Studies on the incarnation and sonship of Jesus tend to be based on the inculcated, systematic theological tradition, which are born out of a rational, timeless segmentation of the biblical data. These approaches consider the incarnation of Jesus in relation to divine immutability, omniscience, bodily limitations, and often within the contexts of Greco-Roman religions and Platonic philosophy.
Thesis. In contradistinction to a systematic theological method, the article argues from a canonical approach that the incarnation of Jesus, the Son of God is a polemical parody of the insubordinate בני האלהים (bny hʾlhym, sons of God) of Genesis 6:1-4. The strange OT revelation of anthropomorphic angels forms the backdrop to the greater, extraordinary event of the incarnation of Jesus, the Son of God. Indeed, both realities push our perceptive abilities to the limit. Yet, these revelations are intrinsic to the ironic retribution upon the rebellious sons of God who “took wives” (Gen 6:2) and the redemption of the “bride” and “wife” of the Son of God (Rev 19:7; 21:2, 9; 22:17; cf. Eph 5:22-33).
Contribution. The paper also fills a gap in biblical theological studies concerning the incarnation of Jesus with respect to the two powers doctrine, or binitarianism, found in Second Temple Judaism — as a conceptual bridge to the worship of Jesus, the Son of God, by first-century Jews.
Methodology. First, I will seek to bring a brief measure of orientation regarding, (1) divine embodiment in the OT, (2) OT polemical theology, (3) the two powers doctrine, or binitarianism, found in Second Temple literature, and (4) early patristic thought on the incarnation of Jesus in light of the serpent and Gen 3. Then attention will be given to twelve canonical aspects of the incarnation of Jesus, the Son of God, with respect to its parody of the Gen 6:1-4 בני האלהים incursion. These aspects are in relation to their: (1) nomenclature; (2) rebellion; (3) descent; (4) transformation into flesh; (5) purpose; (6) desire; (7) use of women; (8) seeding; (9) offspring; (10) violence and bloodshed; (11) pedagogy; and, (12) judgment.
Line of Argumentation. Some of the substantiations will be more persuasive than others. Specific evidences may be deemed unconvincing or lacking. But when the work is considered in its entirety, the less conclusive evidence ought to be seen as greater than when first considered in isolation. Thus, the collective preponderance of the evidence offered seeks to prove the thesis.