EarlDoherty

I'm posting this query in the first available thread with my name in the title. It hasn't any relevance to the thread topic.

Does anyone here remember an extensive discussion that took place (don't remember if it was the OP or just became this part way in) about the Philippians hymn (2:6-11) which focused on the interpretation of the word "morphe" in the opening line, as to whether it meant "nature" or "form" of God? I'm sure it was at least a year ago, maybe even 2 or 3. The issue was whether the hymn was evidence that Christ was considered a part of God, or merely one who had the image of God as all humans do.

I've used all sorts of Search terms but can't find it.

Thanks

Earl Doherty

Toto

Moved to its own thread.

Earl says this is not the thread he is thinking of:

http://www.freeratio.org/showthread....ghlight=morphe

sotto voce

Neither can be correct. Whether "nature" or "form", there is no reason to suppose that a part of God is referred to. If the latter option, the passage makes no sense. The notion that Jesus was like Adam in striving to be like God is the exact inverse of the meaning here. The OT indicated to Jews that the form (or role) of God was perfect Wisdom, which makes this option even more remote.

The word morphe in the first part of this sentence helps makes a contrast by use of the same word in the next part of the sentence, so the whole reads as follows:

'Who, being in very nature God, did not consider the status of God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.'

One may substitute 'form' for 'nature', but the figurative latter makes more sense overall. The form of God is unseen, but the form of the servant was visible, so there is in the second case a useful double meaning.

mountainman

Have you tried an archive search?

EarlDoherty

Yes, but no luck. Anyway, for now I've done without it.

I seem to recall that one of the issues discussed was whether the hymn contains an adoptionist concept in its second half, if that jogs anyone's memory.

Thanks,
Earl