The concept of Son of God in Christianity
The term "Son of God" in Christianity signifies the divine nature of Jesus Christ, affirming His unique relationship with God the Father. It highlights Jesus as the central figure of faith, believed to be fully divine and human. This title, ascribed to Jesus through various scriptural references, emphasizes His role in salvation and commands obedience from believers. The title also sparked significant discussion and scrutiny among religious authorities, ultimately shaping the foundation of Christian belief in His divinity and redemptive purpose.
Synonyms: Divine son, Jesus christ, Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, Holy one, Anointed one, Christ, God's son
In Dutch: Zoon van God; In Finnish: Jumalan poika; In Spanish: Hijo de Dios; In German: Sohn Gottes; In Malay: Anak Tuhan; In Swedish: Guds son; In French: Fils de Dieu
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Christian concept of 'Son of God'
From: Ante-nicene Fathers
(1) The Son of God is mentioned in relation to the Father, and the text describes the Son's actions, and how He held intercourse with men.[1] (2) This is the one who the disciples followed, and they were glorified by Him, and the divine entity desires that His disciples should share in His glory.[2] (3) The text describes the Son of God, as well as the Power of God, the Spirit of God, the Word, the Reason, and the Wisdom.[3] (4) This is a title of Jesus, as revealed by the Father, and those who acknowledge this through divine revelation will obtain the promises given to Peter.[4] (5) The Son of God is a figure who, when confessed, allows God to dwell within the believer, which is a very important belief system for this faith.[5]
From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary
(1) The son of God is mentioned in the context of a dialogue, and it is questioned how the son of God could be stronger, but the child of humankind is the master.[6] (2) A title for Jesus, signifying his divine nature, which was questioned by the high priest.[7] (3) The identity one attains through a relationship with God, which supersedes earthly identities and backgrounds.[8] (4) A divine figure offering knowledge of heaven and earth, representing ultimate truth and guidance.[9] (5) A title denoting the divine relationship between Jesus, Thomas, and belief that all individuals comprise God.[10]
From: Expositions of Holy Scripture
(1) This is mentioned as the source of faith and life, indicating that spiritual strength comes from a divine source, emphasizing a relationship with God.[11] (2) This is a title for Jesus Christ, which, according to the text, corresponds with other phenomena in Scripture where He draws a distinction and never associates Himself with us in His Sonship.[12] (3) This is a reference to Jesus, and the text states that if one believes that Jesus is the Son of God, then it is meet to love Him.[13] (4) This day declares that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and it is mentioned in the provided text, along with the phrase 'Destroy this Temple'.[14] (5) This is a title and claim of Jesus Christ, confirmed by the Resurrection, demanding absolute obedience, trust, and love from believers.[15]
From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository
(1) To prove "that Jesus is the Christ the this" is this Gospel's declared design, that men so "believing might have life through His name," according to the text.[16] (2) This phrase is used in the temptation of Christ in the wilderness, and the question of if He is the Son of God was used as a dart.[17] (3) Son of God refers to Jesus Christ, who is the grand subject of God's testimony, and believing in Him is a direct result of accepting God's testimony and achieving salvation.[18] (4) The resurrection of the Son of man proved that He was the Son of God, and Thomas's belief in Jesus's divinity, stemming from the overwhelming proofs before him of Jesus's humanity, led him to confess his faith, and all of Christ's appearances in the 40 days were preparations for believing without seeing.[19] (5) This was a claim made by Jesus, which caused Pilate to become more afraid and suspicious, leading him to question Jesus about his origins.[20]
From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)
(1) This entity will perfect His redemptive reign when all things are put in subjection, and then God will be all in all.[21] (2) In the Epistle to the Hebrews, there is a tendency towards the metaphysical conception of Jesus as this, as described in the text.[22] (3) This term refers to Jesus Christ, whose unique relationship with God is a prevailing theme in the Gospel of John, and through Him, disciples attain sonship, which is a key concept.[23] (4) This figure, in assuming human nature, truly lived within it under appropriate human circumstances, and he refrained from exercising those Divine functions, including Divine omniscience, which would have been incompatible with a genuine human experience.[24] (5) This term is used to indicate the nation Israel, Israel’s judges and Israel’s king, alike representing the Most High upon earth, as described in the text.[25]
From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus
(1) The title that Saul preached Christ in the synagogues, after he was baptized and received his sight, as described in the text.[26] (2) A title used to address the central figure, spoken by the unclean spirit, recognizing the divine nature and power of the person being addressed.[27] (3) The divine figure sent into the world, in whom belief is essential for avoiding condemnation and achieving everlasting existence.[28] (4) This is a title given to Jesus, and it is said that God's glory would be revealed through him.[29] (5) A title used by Jesus to identify himself, emphasizing his divine nature and authority.[30]
From: Hymns for Christian Devotion
(1) A title referring to Jesus Christ, highlighting his divine nature and significance in Christian theology.[31] (2) A title that denotes divine nature, emphasizing a connection to the sacred and the extraordinary.[32] (3) A title for Jesus, emphasizing his divine nature and significance in Christian theology.[33] (4) A title indicating a divine figure, specifically referencing Jesus Christ in the context of Christian belief.[34] (5) Refers to the Saviour's identity as the divine offspring, emphasizing his unique role within the Christian faith.[35]
From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature
(1) This is the title given to the child Mary would bear, as announced by the angel, and the text indicates she was informed her child would be called this.[36] (2) This phrase is related to the Savior, when he was asked if he was the Christ, the son of God, and responded with an affirmative statement.[37] (3) The manifestation of this figure, which combat terminates in the victory of light, is exemplified by the mutual opposition subsisting between the hostile Jewish party and the manifestation of the Son of God.[38] (4) A title affirming Jesus's divine nature, recognized by Nathanael after realizing Jesus's supernatural knowledge.[39] (5) A title attributed to Jesus, indicating his divine nature and unique relationship with God the Father.[40]
From: Summa Theologica (English translation)
(1) A term referring to Jesus Christ, whose voice is identified with the trumpet, and whose appearance is associated with the resurrection and judgment.[41] (2) This being is the perfect image of the Father, and it is not said that He is 'to the image', and it is a key concept in understanding the divine nature.[42] (3) This refers to Christ, emphasizing His divine nature and relationship with God, which is a key aspect considered in the text, and it is crucial in understanding the reasons why the Mother of God's virginity is significant.[43] (4) This is a reference to Jesus Christ, and it is used to understand the relationship between thought and the divine.[44] (5) The Son of God is a title attributed to Christ, and the text explains how he is the natural Son of God, and that the Holy Ghost plays a role in this.[45]
From: The city of God
(1) This phrase is used to describe Christ, and what the righteous is, and is the subject of a plot.[46] (2) The son of God is mentioned in the context of the Erythræan sibyl's prophecies, specifically in the initial letters of lines that spell out "Jesus Christ the Son of God, the Saviour."[47] (3) This is a title of Jesus, whose voice the dead shall hear, and those who heed and believe will find life and transition from spiritual death to a state of godliness.[48] (4) The text mentions being conformed to the image of the Son of God, and transformed so as not to be conformed to the world.[49] (5) This is the second person of the Trinity, and the author describes the importance of recognizing the incarnation of the Son of God.[50]
From: Works of St. Anselm
(1) This phrase identifies a divine figure. The text explores the nature of this being, their choices, and their relationship to the man who was destined to die, emphasizing the unity of the two.[51] (2) This refers to Jesus Christ, who, as a person of the Trinity, offered himself for the honor of God, and for the honor of himself, representing a crucial theological concept, as explained in the text.[52] (3) The second person of the Holy Trinity in Christian belief, understood as Jesus Christ.[53] (4) The second person of the Holy Trinity, who is divine and was born of the virgin, distinguishing his identity from that of God before the incarnation.[54]
From: The Little Flowers of St. Francis
(1) The Son of God is referenced by the devil, who claims to know who is predestined for eternal life, using this knowledge to deceive Friar Ruffino.[55] (2) This individual became incarnate in obedience to the Father, which the Friar perceived in the vision because of the infinite charity.[56]
From: The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi
(1) The Son of God is referred to in the letter, with readers urged to obey His voice and fulfill His counsels, praising Him for His goodness.[57]
From: The Kebra Nagast
(1) This is a reference to Christ, who is represented by the Word of God, written upon the two tables.[58] (2) The Law was written concerning this individual, and it states that in the beginning, God made the heavens and the earth.[59] (3) This is a reference to Christ, who is the central figure in the narrative and is associated with redemption and the suffering of his body.[60] (4) This is a title given to Jesus Christ, and those who believe in Him will be saved by grace.[61] (5) This is the name of Christ, who is represented by the coals within the context of the censers, along with the Godhead.[62]
From: The Book of the Cave of Treasures
(1) This phrase is used by the centurion to describe Jesus, affirming his divine nature, as indicated in the provided text.[63] (2) The figure that God promises will come down for the redemption of humanity.[64]
From: The Existence and Attributes of God
(1) His intent is here to show that not an angel in heaven, nor a creature upon earth, but was placed in their several degrees of excellency by the power of the Son of God.[65] (2) This is a person that bowed down to death upon a cross for the satisfaction of justice, and rose triumphantly out of the grave.[66] (3) This phrase refers to Jesus, as recorded by John the Baptist, and it is mentioned as a testament to his divine status.[67] (4) This term refers to Jesus Christ, who is the Redeemer of the world, and is associated with the creation.[68] (5) Refers to Christ, highlighting the divine nature and wisdom of God as it pertains to His essence.[69]
From: The Second Helvetic Confession
(1) People should seek things in ceremonies which they should seek in this person, Jesus Christ, through faith, according to the provided text.[70] (2) The text indicates that this individual, our Lord Jesus Christ, was predestined to be the Savior of the world, born of the Virgin Mary, and existed before the foundation of the world.[71] (3) This refers to the Son, one of the three persons of the divine being.[72]
Gnostic concept of 'Son of God'
From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten
(1) This is a title given to the Heavenly Man, and the Father sealed Him in their interior so that they would learn to know Him.[73] (2) A reference to the divine nature attributed to Jesus Christ, indicating his fundamental role in Christian theology.[74]
From: The Gnostics and Their Remains
(1) A title attributed to Jesus Christ, reflecting a Christian claim that parallels the attributes ascribed to Serapis, indicating the blending of theological ideas.[75] (2) The figure identified in the text as central to the Ophite belief system, involved in the narrative of acquiring knowledge through the Tree of Knowledge.[76]
The concept of Son of God in local and regional sources
The term "Son of God" in this context denotes a figure representing the marginalized or underprivileged, emphasizing the qualities of compassion and charity towards those in need, akin to a noble recipient of generosity.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Refers to Christ, emphasizing his divine nature and role in the Christian faith.[77] (2) A title attributed to Jesus by divine proclamation, reflecting his unique relationship with God.[78] (3) In Milton's Paradise Lost, the character who embodies the role of redeemer, equal to God in essence, yet explored through themes of merit and sacrifice.[79] (4) A reference to the individual’s potential to bring divine qualities or transformations into the world.[80]
From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England
(1) A term used to describe the poor man who received the royal horse, indicating a person deserving of charity and compassion.[81]