I like the idea of reading Phil 2 through Adam Christology. Jesus was in the form of God in the same way as Adam was made in the image of God.Irish1975 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 6:49 pmThe problem thus stated is real no matter what theology or religious context is inferred. Christ is both of a divine form, or (perhaps) nature, and the sort of being who can choose freely either to rise up in envious rebellion against God, attempting to seize an equality that apparently he does not enjoy already, or to empty himself in humble submission, to the point of becoming human and mortal. On most conceptions of the divine being, these ideas don't fit.
Compare Phil 2: with Gen 3:22:
Phil 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
When Adam took the fruit, he became a man 'as one of us [gods]':
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
...
Gen 3:22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:...
So Jesus didn't do that; instead of trying to become like one of the gods, Jesus humbled himself and came in the likeness of men subject to death:
Phil 2:6 But he emptied himself, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men...
Paul compares Christ to Adam a few times:
Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.