The hypostatic union is the theological term for the fact that Jesus, in his incarnation, has two natures. He is (and always has been/always will be) the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity. In Jesus, the fullness of God dwells. He has all the attributes of God, all the excellencies of Yahweh, and all the prerogatives of deity. They are all his. He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He is truly God….Jesus was also truly man, descended from Adam and Abraham, in the line of Judah and David. He was limited in time, space, and knowledge…he is truly human.

In honor of the World Cup semi-final later today between Argentina and Croatia—which will be absolutely bonkers, by the way—here is a post to help spiritualize your soccer watching. Goalkeepers have a lot to teach us concerning the hypostatic union, the person/nature distinction evident in Jesus, and the kenosis of the Son of God.

Hypostatic union:

Goalkeepers are by far the most interesting players on the soccer field. They really do exist in two different planes. First, they are just like every other player. All the laws of soccer apply to them. The equipment rules are the same for every player. They take up a spot on the roster. They can go anywhere on the field, and do everything that any other soccer player can do. All the rules apply to them. They are, in short, just another player.

But then there is the second plane: inside the penalty area, they suddenly acquire a new nature. When they are in the 18, they can use their hands. They are protected from challenges. Other players cannot interfere with their ability to release the ball. There is a whole set of rules governing what they are allowed to do with the ball when it is in their hands, and these rules don’t apply to the other players.

Basically, the goal-keeper is a walking contradiction. Now, for most keepers and in most games, the dual nature of the position is irrelevant. Many keepers are content to stay inside the area, doing goal keeper things, and being treated by fans, officials, and opponents alike as if they were special—because, let’s face it, when they are in the box, they are sort of special.

But every now and then you’ll encounter a more adventurous keeper; one who leaves the 18 to take a free kick upfield, or to release pressure by receiving passes. Sometimes they will go all the way to the other end to take a free kick, or get on the receiving side of a corner, or maybe just to get involved in the attack.

Why would a keeper do this? Perhaps their team is down a goal, or maybe he has the best shot of any one else? It could be that he just got bored staying put.  But the point is, he doesn’t really need a reason. After all, the other players don’t need special reasons to do what they do, and once the keeper steps outside of his box, he is just like every other player.

The hypostatic union is the theological term for the fact that Jesus, in his incarnation, has two natures. He is (and always has been/always will be) the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Trinity. In Jesus, the fullness of God dwells. He has all the attributes of God, all the excellencies of Yahweh, and all the prerogatives of deity. They are all his. He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He is truly God. That is nature #1.

Jesus was also truly man, descended from Adam and Abraham, in the line of Judah and David. He was limited in time, space, and knowledge. He was just like every other player on the field, in that he is truly human; that is nature #2.

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