fretheim makes a thorough examination of several different old testament theophanies noting their similarities and differences before coming to his surprising conclusion: all theophanies involve god taking on human form (chapter 6). theologically, this is key for fretheim. the consistent use of human form shows god's vulnerability. it proves that there is nothing fundamentally ungodly about the human form, and it shows that “the finite form is capable of the infinite.” (p. 102) in wrestling with the theological implications of such a statement, fretheim questions whether god uses the human form for the sake of appearances or whether there is a fundamental continuity between the two. not surprisingly, he argues for the latter position, and from the argument establishes that god is fundamentally connected to his creation and that he is fundamentally vulnerable because of this relationship. this leads to his actual discussion of the suffering of god.