BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 9TH, 1929
BROOKLYN, N.Y., SEPTEMBER 9TH, 1929
Mr. C. A. Coates.
Beloved Brother, — I thank you for your letter of the 25th ult., being most interested in your remarks as to the great and precious subject of our Lord’s sonship. I am drawn to your suggestion that such a passage as John 17: 5 had incarnation in view. I am assured that this applies to Proverbs 8; but I have connected John 17: 5 with chapter 1: 1. His personal distinctness is seen there and chapter 17 shows that love existed between divine Persons before incarnation and that there was a glory that One had “along with” Another. This, of course, we should assume, as knowing Them, even if the fact were not stated. The glory of verse 5 is, I suppose, what is termed ‘Godhead glory’. He demands it now as Man, as having glorified the Father on the earth. Thus, while He remains Man, Godhead glory is ever seen in Him. It is very wonderful that He should take up what is a personal right (for He “was God”) on the ground of having finished the work given Him to do on earth. Then (verse 24) He speaks of given glory, connecting it with the Father’s love for Him before the foundation of the world. There is thus a blending of what He was and what He shared before the world (i.e. as in the form of God) with what He is and has as Man. John 17 is specially marked by this. As spoken in our hearing, as it were, we have the expression of the intimacy and affection which exist between divine Persons brought within the range of our apprehension, and as entering into our own relations with Them and with each other.
But while we are in this way allowed an insight into the [p. 271] relations of divine Persons, it is necessarily limited to our finite conception. If we think of the Person loved or glorified it is One now in manhood; and if we think of the One who loved Him it is His Father — that is, all hinges on incarnation. That they were ever distinct Persons is cardinal truth, but Their form, how They loved Each Other, communicated with each Other, what Their designations, if any — all is beyond us, it seems to me.
As to John 16: 28, I understand it as in keeping with this gospel in a general way. Much is made of His coming or being sent from God or coming or being sent from the Father and going to Him, or of coming from heaven. The Persons are in view, but already known by the designations used. In chapter 16: 28 there is a double action in both cases — coming out from (”from with”) and coming into, and leaving and going to. The former would be incarnation and then taking up a position in public testimony — at His baptism; the latter His giving up the public position (as indeed He had done in chapter 12), and His ascension. Coming from the Father cannot be said to imply that that term of relationship existed before the incarnation, any more than that “Jesus Christ” applied before. This, at least, is my understanding of the matter.
We shall be thinking of you in view of the cold weather coming. I can understand how so many visitors try you. Receiving all who come to you, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ involves plenty of work! That the Lord may continue to help you in this great service is our continual prayer.
Affectionately yours in Christ,
James Taylor.