The Divine Logos
A Scholarly Examination of Christological Doctrine and Theological Terminology.
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The Trinity: God the Son
Second Person of the Trinity
In Christian theology, God the Son represents the second Person of the Holy Trinity. This doctrine posits that God exists eternally as three distinct Personsโthe Father, the Son, and the Holy Spiritโwho are united in essence, power, and glory. The Son, identified with Jesus Christ, is understood as the eternal, pre-existent divine Logos (Greek for "word"), through whom all creation was brought into being.
Divine Essence and Incarnation
While the precise phrase "God the Son" is not found in the Bible, it serves as a crucial theological designation. It articulates the understanding of Jesus Christ as fully divine, sharing the same essential nature (homoousios) with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. This divine nature is understood to have been united with human nature in the Incarnation, a central tenet of Christian faith.
Historical Context
The terminology and conceptualization of God the Son evolved through early Christian theological discourse and ecumenical councils. These discussions aimed to articulate the relationship between the Father and the Son, particularly in response to various Christological heresies. The term reflects a specific understanding of Jesus' divine identity within the Trinitarian framework.
Origins of the Terminology
Biblical Absence, Theological Presence
It is important to note that the specific phrase "God the Son" does not appear within the canonical texts of the Bible. However, the concept is foundational to Trinitarian doctrine, derived from interpretations of biblical passages that speak of Jesus' divine sonship and identity. The term emerged in later Christian writings and creeds to articulate this understanding precisely.
Manuscript and Linguistic Nuances
While absent from original biblical manuscripts, the phrase "God the Son" (Deus Filius in Latin, ho Theos ho huios in Greek) has appeared in certain historical contexts, sometimes due to scribal variations or as a deliberate theological clarification. It is linguistically distinct from "Son of God" (filius Dei or ho huios tou Theou), which emphasizes Jesus' relationship to the Father rather than His divine identity within the Godhead.
Theological Usage and Creeds
The Athanasian Creed
The Athanasian Creed, a significant early Christian statement of faith, employs the formulation "So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God" (Ita Deus Pater, Deus Filius, Deus Spiritus Sanctus). This highlights the co-equality and co-eternity of the Persons of the Trinity, distinguishing them as distinct Persons while affirming their singular divine essence.
Patristic Writings
Church Fathers such as Augustine of Hippo utilized the term Deus Filius in their theological works. For instance, Augustine discussed the Son's obedience to the Father, referring to Him as "God the Son obedient to God the Father" (deo patri deus filius obediens). This usage underscores the relational dynamics within the Trinity and the Son's role in the economy of salvation.
Confessional Standards
The term was adopted into confessional documents like the Augsburg Confession, where it appears as Gott der Sohn. This indicates its acceptance and importance within the theological frameworks of various Christian traditions, particularly those affirming Nicene orthodoxy.
Scriptural Foundations
The Logos in John
The Gospel of John famously begins, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Trinitarian theology interprets this passage as identifying Jesus Christ, the pre-existent Logos, with the divine nature, establishing His identity as God the Son.
Jesus' Divine Claims
Jesus' statements in the New Testament, such as "Before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58), are interpreted by many Christians as direct claims to pre-existence and divinity, aligning with the concept of God the Son. This declaration echoes the divine name revealed to Moses ("I AM WHO I AM" in Exodus 3:14), signifying His eternal nature.
The Johannine Comma
The disputed passage in 1 John 5:7, often referred to as the Johannine Comma, explicitly mentions the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit as one: "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." While its textual authenticity is debated, its presence in some manuscripts reflects the theological development of Trinitarian doctrine.
Diverse Theological Perspectives
Nontrinitarian Rejections
Certain Christian groups, such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Oneness Pentecostals, reject the term "God the Son" and the doctrine of the Trinity itself, viewing them as extrabiblical. They often emphasize the biblical designation "Son of God" and interpret Jesus' relationship to the Father differently, typically asserting His subordination or distinctness in a manner that deviates from orthodox Trinitarianism.
Mormonism and the Godhead
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) holds a distinct view of the Godhead. While affirming the divinity of Jesus Christ, they posit that the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate, distinct beings, rather than one unified essence, differing from traditional Trinitarian monotheism.
Emphasis on Biblical Language
Some denominations, while affirming Christ's deity, avoid the term "God the Son" to adhere strictly to biblical terminology, preferring "Son of God." This approach prioritizes using the precise language found in Scripture, believing it to be the most faithful way to express theological truths.
Scholarly References
Primary Sources and Citations
The following scholarly works and theological texts provide foundational information and context for the doctrine of God the Son:
- Gilles Emery (2011). The Trinity: An Introduction to Catholic Doctrine on the Triune God. Catholic University of America Press. ISBN 978-0-8132-1864-9.
- New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia: Logos.
- Burnap, George Washington (1845). Expository lectures on the principal passages of the Scriptures which relate. James Munroe and Company.
- Rhodes, Ron (2001). The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions: The Essential Guide to Their History, Their Doctrine, and Our Response. Zondervan. ISBN 0310232171.
- Hick, John (1993). The Metaphor of God Incarnate: Christology in a Pluralistic Age (2nd ed.). Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN 0664230377.
- Ehrman, Bart D. (1993). The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies On The Text of The New Testament. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195102796.
- Philip Schaff (1877b). The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes. Vol. i. Harper & Brothers.
- F. Donald Logan (2002). A history of the church in the Middle Ages.
- Augustine of Hippo. On the Trinity.
- Augustine of Hippo. Sermon 90 on the New Testament.
- The Augsburg Confession: a commentary Leif Grane, John H. Rasmussen (1987).
- Jacques Forget (1910) in the Catholic Encyclopedia article "Holy Ghost".
- Botner, Max (Jul 2015). "The Role of Transcriptional Probability in the Text-Critical Debateon Mark 1:1". Catholic Biblical Quarterly. 77 (3).
- Biblia.com. "1 John 5:7".
- Biblia.com. "John 3:16 | The New King James Version".
- Biblia.com. "John 8:58 | The New King James Version".
- Biblia.com. "Exodus 3:14 | The New King James Version".
- bible.cc. "John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known".
- Should You Believe in the Trinity?. Watch Tower Society. 1989.
- LearnReligions.com. "Son of God: The Title Son of God Affirms Jesus Christ's Divine Nature".
- BiblicalUnitarian.com. "Jesus is the Son of God; not God the Son".
- New Philadelphia Church of Christ.
- Schaff, Philip (1877). The Creeds of Christendom, with a History and Critical Notes. Vol. i. Harper & Brothers.
- Dahl, Paul E. (1992). "Godhead". In Ludlow, Daniel H. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 978-0-02-904040-9.
- Our Beliefs from the Community of Christ Website.
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References
References
- New Advent Cat holic Encyclopedia: Logos, available at 09328a.
- Philip Schaff (1877b), The Creeds of Christendom.
- MacMullen translation 1888 http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/160390.htm
- The Augsburg Confession: a commentary Leif Grane, John H. Rasmussen รขยย 1987 "GT: "Dass Gott der Sohn sei Mensch worden, geborn aus der reinen Jungfrauen Maria" (that God the Son became man, born of the virgin Mary)."
- Jacques Forget (1910) in the Catholic Encyclopedia article "Holy Ghost"
- Son of God: The Title Son of God Affirms Jesus Christ's Divine Nature
- Jesus is the Son of God; not God the Son
- New Philadelphia Church of Christ
- Our Beliefs from the Community of Christ Website: https://cofchrist.org/our-beliefs/
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