Date of Award

5-2-2014

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Biblical, Religious and Philosophical Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Meg Ramey

Abstract

“Son of God” is an important title of Jesus for Christians. Throughout the history of Christianity, it has greatly influenced our theology and confessions. With this title comes many implications, the foremost of which are that Jesus was a preexistent, eternal, divine being who came to Earth to save humanity from its sin. He was the ultimate sacrifice, given because “God so loved the world” (New Revised Standard Version; John 3:16). “Son of God” denotes Jesus’ place as the second member of the Trinity, working alongside his Father and the Holy Spirit. In fact, confessing that Jesus is the Son of God is part of what makes a Christian a Christian. To say that Jesus was not the Son of God in the above sense would be heretical because after thousands of years of tradition Christian beliefs and practices have developed to the point that when Christians confess these beliefs about Jesus’ role as the “Son of God,” many assume that what is being claimed is the one and only biblical view available. Holding these assumptions indicates a failure to recognize that these views have evolved over many years and been handed down to modern Christians over time.

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