What does the Bible say about the eternal sonship of Christ? Was He a Son before He came to earth or after He came to earth? Will He continue to be son forever? Or His sonship has an end?
[We received these questions from one of our readers on the site. This article  features a reply to the questions.]

By: Michael Annan Kasukose

The answer to these questions come down to the long standing debate about eternal sonship and incarnational sonship.

Here is a comparative presentation of the strongest arguments for both the doctrine of “eternal sonship” and “incarnational sonship”:

Eternal Sonship

• Biblical Testimony:
  John 1:1-2, 14: Emphasizes the eternal existence of the Word (Logos), who is identified as the only begotten Son of the Father.
  John 17:5: Jesus speaks of the glory He shared with the Father before the world existed, indicating an eternal relationship.
  John 5:18: Jesus’ claim to be the Son of God is understood as a claim to deity, implying an eternal relationship.
  These arguments are emphasizing His eternality, which is not a problem for those who hold incarnational view. So that makes the use of these verses a weak argument.
• Theological Consistency:
  Nature of the Trinity: The roles and relationships within the Trinity are eternal, maintaining the immutability of God.
  Eternal Relationships: The Father is eternally the Father, the Son is eternally the Son, and the Spirit is eternally the Spirit, avoiding any implication of temporal subordination.
  To speak of Christ’s subordination in terms of his role in our redemption does not teach that His essence is of deity.

• Divine Nature:
  Co-equality and Co-eternality: The doctrine supports the understanding that the Father and the Son share the same divine essence, essential for upholding Christ’s deity.
  Essential Oneness: Affirms the equality and unity of the Trinity, avoiding theological inconsistencies.
  Again, to speak of Christ’s subordination in terms of his role in our redemption does not teach that His essence is of deity.

• Salvation Plan:
  Old Testament Prophecies: Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecies indicates His eternal role in God’s plan for redemption.
  Continuity in God’s Plan: Suggests a consistent and complete salvific plan, not contingent on temporal events.
  Note: Jesus had to have a body so He could offer a sacrifice (Heb 10:5). Also, “Today I have begotten you,” which refers to His resurrection. This resurrection signifies His entrance into full exercise of all the prerogatives implied by His Sonship.
• Historical Theology:
  Creeds and Confessions: The Nicene Creed and other formulations affirm the eternal sonship of Christ.
  Church Fathers: Theologians such as Athanasius and Augustine supported the doctrine, emphasizing its foundational role in Christian orthodoxy.
  That the concept of eternal sonship underwent development in Christian theology over time and was not universally held in the early church. The theological concepts surrounding the Trinity and Christology evolved through doctrinal debates and philosophical influences, raising questions about the necessity of the doctrine of eternal sonship.
• Terminology and Language:
  Monogenes: Translated as “only begotten,” emphasizing the unique and eternal relationship between the Father and the Son.
  Pre-incarnate References: The title “Son of God” is used in contexts predating the incarnation, supporting eternal sonship (No proof I know of so far)
  Note: “Only begotten.” Mono (one only), genes (kind) = only one of its kind, unique. (Does not mean just “only begotten.” Compare where Isaac is referred to by this same word (Heb 11:17-18). However, Isaac was unique. He was begotten by a miracle.) “Begotten” comes from the word gennao.

Incarnational Sonship

1. Scriptural Interpretation:

1. • Hebrews 1:5: Quotes Psalm 2:7, applying it to the incarnate Christ, suggesting a temporal begetting.
   • Acts 13:33: References Psalm 2:7 in the context of Jesus’ resurrection, indicating a temporal declaration of sonship.
   • Romans 1:3-4: Paul describes Jesus being declared the Son of God by the resurrection, emphasizing temporal sonship.

2. Theological Considerations:

1. • Role in the Incarnation: The title “Son of God” is particularly tied to Jesus’ role in redemption history, highlighting the unique event of the incarnation.
   • Philippians 2:6-8: Describes Christ’s voluntary submission and humiliation in taking on human form, emphasizing incarnational sonship.

3. Terminology and Language:

1. • Semantic Range of “Begetting”: “Begotten” can be interpreted as emphasizing the unique relationship initiated in the incarnation.
   • John 1:14, 18: “Monogenes” highlights the unique and unprecedented nature of Jesus’ relationship with the Father during His earthly ministry.

4. Relationship and Roles within the Trinity:

1. • Distinct Roles in Redemption: Emphasizes the different roles each Person of the Trinity plays in redemption, with the Son’s role manifesting particularly in the incarnation.
   • Temporal Declaration: The title “Son” reflects a specific role within the temporal context of the incarnation and resurrection.

5. Christological Focus:

1. • Human Experience of Jesus: Emphasizes Jesus’ human experience and His role in the Father’s redemptive plan, highlighting a tangible, historical context.
   • Relational Dynamics: The incarnation displays the relational dynamics within the Trinity, illustrating the Son’s unique filial relationship to the Father.

6. Scriptural Silence on Eternal Generation:

1. • Lack of Explicit Support: Critics argue that the New Testament does not clearly articulate the idea of eternal sonship, focusing instead on the incarnate Christ.

• Conclusion: The Incarnational View as the Most Accurate
  After evaluating the arguments for both the doctrine of eternal sonship and the doctrine of incarnational sonship, it becomes clear that the incarnational view holds particular strength and coherence within the framework of biblical testimony, theological consistency, divine nature and equality, and historical and theological development.
• Biblical Testimony

While the eternal sonship argument finds support in verses such as John 1:1-2 and John 17:5, which emphasize Jesus’ pre-existence and relationship with the Father, the incarnational sonship perspective offers a compelling interpretation of key scriptural passages. Hebrews 1:5, Acts 13:33, and Romans 1:3-4 directly tie the declaration of Jesus’ sonship to temporal events such as His resurrection, underscoring that the title “Son of God” reflects a unique role and mission in the context of His incarnation and earthly ministry.

• Theological Consistency
  The incarnational view aligns well with the doctrine of the Trinity, emphasizing the distinct and complementary roles of each Person within the Godhead thus, focusing on Jesus’ sonship in relation to His incarnation. Philippians 2:6-8 further supports this by highlighting Jesus’ voluntary submission and incarnation, illustrating His unique role in redemption history.
• Divine Nature and Equality
  The incarnational sonship view emphasizes the distinct roles within the Trinity without compromising the co-equality and co-eternality of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. By interpreting “begotten” and “monogenes” in a context that highlights Jesus’ unique relationship with the Father during His earthly ministry, this doctrine maintains a coherent understanding of the relational dynamics within the Trinity while upholding the full deity of Christ.
• Historical and Theological Consensus
  Although the eternal sonship doctrine has historical support from early church creeds and theologians, the incarnational view offers a nuanced interpretation of scriptural terminology that aligns with the unfolding narrative of redemption. The focus on Jesus’ sonship as manifest in the incarnation, suffering, death, and resurrection provides a robust theological framework that reflects the New Testament emphasis on His mission and identity.

In conclusion, the doctrine of incarnational sonship provides a more precise and contextually consistent understanding of Jesus’ identity and role within the Trinity. It respects the biblical narrative, theological coherence, and the historical development of Christian doctrine, making it the most accurate view for comprehending the Sonship of Christ in relation to His redemptive work and the divine nature of the Trinity.

Now as to whether Jesus’ sonship has ended or not, we do not  have any verse or revelation on that rather, We know that:

• Son of God Title: Saul of Tarsus preached Jesus as the Son of God post-ascension (Acts 9:20).
• Glorified Body: Philippians 3:21 and Colossians 2:9 affirm that Jesus retains a glorified human body in heaven.
• Mediator Role: As a mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5), Jesus’ human nature remains significant.

Remember that His sonship is tied to His role in redemption and His resurrection. Thus, we can only maintain that He is in the nature He ascended with. To say more than that is to add to the scriptures.

We would be glad to have a full video or written lessons on this in the future but until then, we hope this response suffice. You can also email to us your findings from your research.