#9 Christology - "Only Begotten Son"

9-Christology “Only Begotten Son” History & Statement of the Doctrine Apostles’ Creed Council of Nicea (325) Council of Constantinople (381) DISCUSS: What do you think of this doctrine? Are you comfortable with the lingo? Could you support it with Scripture? What do you think the language of these creeds and confessions may be missing? Issues with the Doctrine 1. Jesus is obviously eternal (Mic 5:2), and He is obviously begotten (Ps 2:7; Jn 3:16; etc.). However, there is no textual support for combining the two doctrines to teach that Jesus is the eternally begotten Son. 2. In Psalm 2 and its subsequent quotations, the Father’s declaration that He has begotten the Son is time-bound: “This day have I begotten thee.” 3. The context of Psalm 2 and its quotations is used in context of the Davidic Covenant, and the Son’s “begotten” status relates not to ontology but to functionality (King). 4. This language of “eternally begotten” is used in attempt to describe the ontological relationship of the Son to the Father. It is a metaphysical description. The description makes Christ a contingent being, dependent upon the Father’s begetting Him. a. I think of it as a hologram. The Father is projecting Himself and His essence in the person of the Son, but the hologram has an original. b. This language of contingency undermines the doctrine of the aseity (selfexistence) of Jesus. If the Son is co-existent, co-equal, co-eternal, then the Son must be self-existent, not contingent on anyone or anything else. Indeed, “in Him [is] life” (Jn 1:4). c. Some would say that this is an unfounded distinction because the begetting is both eternal and necessary, eternal because it does not negate Jesus’ eternality and necessary because it does not undermine Jesus’ aseity. Davidic Covenant Language “Father/Son” “This day…Begotten” “Firstborn” “Beloved Son/ Well pleased” 2 Sam 7:14 1 Chr 22:10 1 Chr 28:6 Ps 2:7 (Acts 13:33; Heb 1:5; 5:5) Ps 89:26 Is 9:6 (Note Deity) Ps 2:7 Acts 13:33 Heb 1:5 Heb 5:5 Ps 89:27 Col 1:15, 18 Heb 1:6 1 Chr 28:4 Is 42:1 Baptism1 Transfiguration2 As we work toward the NT and the “Son of God” after the Davidic line, it becomes evident that Messiah was not only going to be the son of God in the sense of adopted for the divine right of kings. Even more, this seed of David would be God Himself, of the very essence of God. Thus… “Son of God” in the Synoptics Luke’s Intro Jesus Baptism Jesus’ Temptation Jesus’ Transfiguration Lk 1:34 – Connected to the virgin conception. Lk 3:38 – Genealogy Mt 3:17 Mk 1:11 Lk 3:22 Mt 4:3/Lk 4:3 Mt 4:6/Lk 4:9 Mt 17:5 Mk 9:7 Lk 9:35 Finally, John seems to develop the idea at length in his Gospel as well as 1 John and Revelation. “Son of God” in John “Son of God” Jn 1:34 John’s witness Jn 1:49 King of Israel Jn 11:4, 27 Lazarus Jn 19:5 Trial Jn 20:21 Purpose Rev 2:18 “Only Begotten” Jn 1:14 Jn 1:18 Jn 3:16 Jn 3:18 1 Jn 4:9 “Son of Man” Jn 1:51 Jn 3:13,14 Rev 1:13 Rev 14:14 Dan 7:13 Jn 17:12 “son of perdition” with Jn 5:17-18 1 2 Jesus’ Baptism: Mt 3:17/Mk 1:11/Lk 3:22 Jesus’ Transfiguration: Mt 17:5/Mk 9:7/Lk 9:35 Key Discourses Jn 5:17-30ff. Jn 10:22-39 Jn 16:28; 17:1