“Christian speak” as spoken by a few is perplexing. Some speak like they have a steeple in their throat or are speaking through a stained glass window.
One of the descriptive words used of Jesus is understood within the Christian community, but not outside. It is the title “Son of God.”
Children sometimes ask, “Who was Mrs. God?”
The dictionary recognized “son” to signify not only generation but association.
The apostles James and John were called “sons of thunder.” Barnabas was known as “the son of encouragement.”
Following is how the word “Son” as used in the Bible for Jesus is understood within the Christian community.
In Scripture Jesus is called “God’s only begotten Son.” The word “begotten” is a compound of two Greek words used in Scripture.
One word is mono, meaning “one.” The other is genes, meaning “kind, type, or species.” Combined they are used to speak of God’s only one of a kind son. The Greek monogenes is used to mean the only one of the same nature as. In Scripture Jesus is not spoken of as a Son of God, but the Son of God.
Two different Greek words are translated “son” in Scripture.
Teknon stresses the fact of human birth. It is used of homo sapiens.
Huios emphasizes dignity and character relationship. It is used of Jesus.
This is the line of logic that leads Christians to revere Jesus as the nexus of God. The angel messenger in speaking to Joseph called Jesus “Immanuel,” meaning “God with us.” Incarnation is a word describing the process. The root “incarnate” means embodied in flesh.
As such Christians believe Jesus was God manifest as a corporeal, touchable, human being: the man/God-God/man.
Ideologically this belief separates Christians from persons who are not Christians, but it does not have to separate us in our interpersonal relationships. In all of life when our understanding of an issue differs we are given an opportunity to prove we can disagree without being disagreeable.
A summary of why Christians celebrate the birth and life of Jesus is noted in I John 4: 9, “In this the love of God is manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”
That enables persons to give the right answers to these questions raised by the brilliant Henry Van Dyke.
“Are you willing to...stoop down and consider the desires of little children; to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old, to stop asking how much your friends love you, and ask yourself whether you love them enough ... to bear in mind what others have to bear in their hearts...? Are you willing to believe love is the strongest thing in the world — stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death — And that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem two thousand years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?”
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
The Rev. Dr. Nelson Price is pastor emeritus of Roswell Street Baptist Church.
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For the record, Muslims believe in miracles and the virgin birth is one of them. The virgin birth is actually a statement to the Jewish people. It was a warning that no man was worthy to be the father of a prophet of God. They should have heeded the warning, but God already knew what they would do.
Ahmadi Muslims believe in revelation.
I had many amazing dreams before I became an Ahmadi Muslim. The Promised Messiah, or second coming of Jesus, is supposed to come with a minaret in the east. I dreamed of such a minaret and I climbed up the tower. When I came down, I said "Assalam o Alaikum!" (Peace be Upon You!) when I met the angels at the base of the tower.
When I watched the Ahmadi Muslim Jalsa, they showed this minaret. It had been painted entirely white, but they showed old footage of it where it had a black railing. That's when I recognized it, because that is how it appeared in my dream. It foretells the coming of the Promised Messiah--Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. You can visit this minaret in Qadian, India.
In "The Gospel of Barnabas," who was a companion of Jesus, unlike Paul, he speaks of the angels appearing to the shepherds: "For there is born in the city of David a child who is a prophet of the Lord." (p. 4)
Barnabas does not say that Jesus is the son of God. He says that he is "a prophet of the Lord."
Where does the bible mention trinity?
Nowhere.
Barnabas was an apostle of Jesus. He knew him. We cannot say this of Paul, who arrived 300 years after the death of Jesus, pbuh. So who is a better judge of the teachings of Jesus? Barnabas, of course.
Furthermore, according to Barnabas, the angel speaks to David, "The virgin shall bring forth a son, whom thou shall call by the name Jesus; whom thou shalt keep from wine and strong drink and from every unclean meat, because he is a holy one of God from his mother's womb. He is a prophet of God sent unto the people of Israel, in order that he may convert Judah to his heart, and that Israel may walk in the law of the Lord, as it is written in the law of Moses." (p. 3)
Like Muslims, Jesus did not drink alcohol or eat pork. Again, he is referred to as a prophet. His mission in life is to soften the hearts of the Jewish people. His teaching was not intended for the whole world. It was a teaching for the Jews, alone.
At the age of 30, Jesus was praying when he was "surrounded by a light...The angel Gabriel presented to him as it were a shining mirror, a book, which descended into the heart of Jesus, in which he had knowledge of what God hath done and hath said... as he said unto me" 'Believe Barnabas, that I know every prophet with every prophecy, insomuch that whatever I say the whole hath come forth from that book.' (p. 9)
Barnabas has described Jesus as a prophet three times and I am only on page nine. Why is it that Christians never describe Jesus as a prophet? Because they want to claim that Jesus was more special than the other prophets of God.
When he is called a prophet, it makes clear Jesus' relationship with the Creator. The Creator created the world and Jesus, pbuh, is a messenger in a long line of messengers used by God to reform the people.
Notice that Jesus, pbuh, receives revelation just like the prophet Mohammad, pbuh. They are both given divine knowledge by the archangel Gabriel. So anyone who believes in the miraculous knowledge instilled in Jesus, pbuh, should be inclined to believe in the next prophet, Mohammad, pbuh.
Your title reads: Title ‘Son of God’ poorly understood by non-Christians.
I appreciate the fact that you did not target me specifically, but I presume you are referring to my article "What Do Muslims Believe About Jesus?" at www.neighbornewspapers.com.
As a Christian, I attended the United Church, which is officially trinitarian. We were told there was a father, a son and a holy ghost.
This is a Christian on Wiki: "I am a Trinitarian who believes Jesus is God . Just wondered about Baptists and their beliefs," written by Peachie.
Karl P. says: "Funny how we all claim to believe in the ONE and ONLY true God, yet condemn knowledge and belief of God in the Trinity. I believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. And to that, I also say, AMEN!"
They are both claiming to be Christian, but they seem confused. Peachie made a God out of Jesus and Karl gave God one third of the respect He is due.
I, on the other hand, feel no confusion at all. God is God. Jesus is Jesus, the prophet, who had a virgin birth, which was a sign to the people. He was the last prophet in a long line of Jewish prophets. And the holy ghost is the angel in charge of revelation. But God is the One who directs revelation. He is still in charge.
Each day in my prayers, I say "There is one God and only One God. He does not beget, nor was he begotten." This is the third last verse of the Quran. It is a message for the Christians who believe in trinity.
I never make the mistake of praying to Jesus, pbuh, or to Mary or to the holy ghost, because they cannot answer my prayers. It is very important to pray to the One who has the power to answer prayers. It is God, alone.
How many times is the term "son of man" used in the bible? Over eighty times. This is emphasis of the first degree!
"Jesus said unto them. The son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men." Matthew 17.22
"The son of man indeed goeth as it is written of him; but woe unto the man by whom the Son of man is betrayed". Mark 14.21
"For there is One God, and on mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2.5
Note that Jesus is saying that there is ONE God. He makes no claim on a three in one God. That came much later. Jesus, pbuh, is not responsible for the idea of trinity.
Shouldn't Christians follow the teachings of Christ? Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, did not believe in trinity. Therefore, unitarian Christians are correct in their belief and trinitarians have been following a false teaching.
Use of the term "son" in the bible"
"When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Job 38.7
Who are the sons of God in this passage?
The angels of God.
"That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair." Genesis 6:2
Who are these sons of God?
They are the Israelites. Similarly, "I have said ye are god;and all of you are the children of God." Psalms 82.6
This passage indicates that all the males God refers to are the "sons" of God. Consequently, the use of the term "son of God" is not exclusively used for Jesus. It is a term of endearment or a term to show that because his behavior is elevated, God's love for him is elevated.
My eyes have been opened by the book "A History of God" by author Karen Armstrong. Though I differ with her on some statements, I truly believe in a creator, be it what Humans refer to as God or Gods, something in my opinion had to create our existence. But Jesus was an ordinary person with outrageous claims. Between the ages of 13 to 29, nothing is stated about him. That's a big problem for me. Also, I believe Mary Magdalene was his secret wife.
The current state of Christianity is too fragmented and I truly believe that words were added to enhance the stance of Christianity as Ms. Armstrong's book suggests.