Appearances Of Christ . . . In Early Genesis?
Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries, August 21, 2025 (Donate)
When unbelievers think of Jesus, many strictly think of a
man who lived about 2,000
years ago. Sadly, many Christians in the church pews adopt this same
thinking. But when we do, we unwittingly devalue who Jesus really is.
Christ is fully man and yet fully God (Hebrews 1; Colossians 1; John 1). He is preeminent in all things, even time and space that He created (John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:16–18). The one true God is triune in nature, eternally existing in the co-equal persons of the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 44:8, 45:18; Deuteronomy 6:4; Malachi 2:10; James 2:19).
The point is that Jesus Christ has been actively involved in
the world from the very
beginning. So the question arises, “Do we see Jesus anywhere in Genesis?” Yes!
These pre-incarnate appearances of Christ are called theophanies (from two
Greek words meaning “appearance [phaneia] of God [theos]”), or
more specifically Christophanies. They are generally believed to be appearances
of the Son of God prior to His coming “in the flesh” two
thousand years ago (1 John 4:2).
Genesis employs very intimate, personal language in
describing God’s creation of Adam and Eve. This language could indicate the
Son’s direct presence, especially when the Lord “brought her to the man”
(Genesis 2:7–9, 2:18–22). Then after Adam and Eve sinned, “they heard the sound
of the Lord God walking in the garden.”
They hid, only to be confronted for their sin (Genesis
3:8–24). Later, “the Lord appeared to Abram” (Genesis 12:7).
Other passages throughout the Old Testament might also be
theophanies. Consider these passages in Genesis, some of which are more certain
than others: Genesis 4:4–15, 7:16, 11:5–9, 18:1–33. The Lord appeared to
Abraham and Moses several times in Genesis 17:1, 18:1; Numbers 12:5–8; and many
other passages.
So why did the Son
of God “take on flesh” if He could easily appear to whomever He wanted?
Perhaps Peter said it best: “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just
for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh
but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).
Let’s not forget that Christ became a man to take
the punishment we deserve for sin against our Creator. That is a God worth
living for!
For an extended look at this discussion see Theophanies of Christ.
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Bodie Hodge, Ken Ham's son in law, has been an apologist
since 1998 helping out in various churches and running an apologetics website.
He spent 21 years working at Answers in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and
researcher as well as a founding news anchor for Answers News. He was also head
of the Oversight Council.
Bodie launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a
personal website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has
spoken on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and
universities. He is married with four children.
Originally at Answers in Genesis on April 5, 2020; Edited;
Republished by permission.
