most christians believe the incarnation of god is an exclusively new testament idea, but in "the suffering of god: an old testament perspective", terence e. fretheim argues that incarnation has always been god's standard method of interaction with humanity. through exegesis and a literary and philosophical approach to scripture, fretheim draws the elusive god of the old testament close. indeed, the author seeks to balance the common images of god as wrathful judge or cold lawgiver with an image of god in relationship with humanity. according to fretheim, god suffers because he has completely and intimately bound himself in relation to the created world, especially his people israel.