Book Description

Faith, religion and science spring into dynamic interplay in the provocative book, The Timing of the Incarnation: God's True Plan Revealed? Seeking to respond to a seemingly neglected detail of Christian theology, author Robert G. Saba draws upon lifelong interests and contemporary scholarship in religion, psychology, biology, and natural science as he explores the question of why the first century of the Common Era, of all moments in history, was the time when God became man. The result is a challenging work brimming with ideas and new possibilities that raises serious implications and could lead to a better understanding of humanity's relationship to the divine. This direct and thorough investigation of why the incarnation of Christ occurred two thousand years ago, rather than at the dawn of humankind's emergence as Homo sapiens or, alternately, immediately before the end of the world, will inspire and encourage those looking for an updated, realistic perspective on religious thought. Starting systematically with a comprehensive review of the definition and longstanding assumptions about the Incarnation as detailed in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Timing of the Incarnation continues to explore the historical context and considerations surrounding this transforming event. This includes not only a thoughtful and enlightening overview of the Jewish, Greek, and Roman cultures that played critical roles in the advent and growth of Christianity, but also encompasses an assessment of the spiritual and social development of the world's other cultures in the first century. The Timing of the Incarnation reveals that the critical factor in this moment of sublime mystery was in actuality the readiness of humanity to respond to the divine. This discovery affords a stunning and refreshing change in how Christians can perceive the relationship between God and humanity, offering strength and encouragement in a dynamic that is more paternal than magisterial, more nurturing than controlling. This fundamental paradigm shift in our understanding provides a strong sense of connectedness to the divine, reminding us that God is and always has been actively present as a guiding force in our lives.