Rowan Williams on incarnation

Abstract

Rowan Williams argues that the Incarnation sponsors a distinctive metaphysical view of God and the world. I agree, but query his basically Thomist account of the Incarnation. For Aquinas, essences are more real than particulars, causes must be like and greater than their effects, and the first cause must be a supreme essence without potentiality or change. But it may be that essences are merely possible states, and causes must have powers (potencies) to act. Therefore God, conceiving all possible states and having all possible powers, does contain potentials. One of these powers is the power to act as a particular causal agent in the world, which Dr Williams denies. I suggest that the Incarnation entails a particular causal divine act that adds something essential to the eternal Word, by changing the nature of the divine love, and realizing its potential as agape, love given to the truly other and imperfect.