Christ becomes the species in need of salvation if the method of salvation involves ‘communicating’ the method of salvation. You need to become the creature you wish to communicate spiritual teachings with. Christ became human not because humans are supremely awesome, but because humans are very obviously sick and in need of healing (Mark 2:17). The same principle applies to any other rational creature in any other world.
I’m not antagonistic to this idea, just trying to understand it. If “human exceptionalism” is removed from the equation but “rationality” is required… is the understanding just that (unlike what Romans 2 might imply) the whole cosmos does not so much “groan” in anticipation of redemption?
It might be because it’s unclear. 🙃 Let me try this: As you understand it, why might apes not need Christ to be incarnated as an ape, but Romulans might?
It depends on the specific needs of the species in question, as a physician does not prescribe the same remedy to all. The problems of the human race would, in theory, not be unique to Earth, and would apply to any similar creature with rational faculties and the ability to will, to morally discern, and to love.
If an animal in some other world contains such faculties then perhaps sacrificial death is necessary for moral teaching. This was precisely the whole point of Aslan in the Narnia series. That was explicitly not an allegory, it was Lewis’ answer to the question of multiple incarnations and deaths of Christ in multiple worlds.
Right, I think I'm tracking. Apologies, I initially said Romans 2 but meant Romans 8 ("...the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now..."), with its implication that through the human incarnation of Christ our cosmos is redeemed.
In this understanding, does Christ need to become (or “take on the flesh” of) a lamb for sheep (as part of Creation) to be reconciled to Himself?
Christ becomes the species in need of salvation if the method of salvation involves ‘communicating’ the method of salvation. You need to become the creature you wish to communicate spiritual teachings with. Christ became human not because humans are supremely awesome, but because humans are very obviously sick and in need of healing (Mark 2:17). The same principle applies to any other rational creature in any other world.
I’m not antagonistic to this idea, just trying to understand it. If “human exceptionalism” is removed from the equation but “rationality” is required… is the understanding just that (unlike what Romans 2 might imply) the whole cosmos does not so much “groan” in anticipation of redemption?
I’m not sure I follow the question
It might be because it’s unclear. 🙃 Let me try this: As you understand it, why might apes not need Christ to be incarnated as an ape, but Romulans might?
It depends on the specific needs of the species in question, as a physician does not prescribe the same remedy to all. The problems of the human race would, in theory, not be unique to Earth, and would apply to any similar creature with rational faculties and the ability to will, to morally discern, and to love.
If an animal in some other world contains such faculties then perhaps sacrificial death is necessary for moral teaching. This was precisely the whole point of Aslan in the Narnia series. That was explicitly not an allegory, it was Lewis’ answer to the question of multiple incarnations and deaths of Christ in multiple worlds.
Right, I think I'm tracking. Apologies, I initially said Romans 2 but meant Romans 8 ("...the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now..."), with its implication that through the human incarnation of Christ our cosmos is redeemed.