If God the Father is "eternal" then his only begotten Son of God has to be "eternal" also.
The term "begotten" implies a point of origin or an act of coming into existence, which contradicts the concept of eternality. The eternality of God pertains to His uncreated and self-existent nature. Jesus, referred to as the "Son of God," denotes His incarnation—His role in God's redemptive plan as a human born in Bethlehem. The distinction between God's eternal nature and Jesus's human existence is key. The distinction between God's eternal nature and Jesus's human existence becomes evident. The eternality of God pertains to His divine nature—His unchanging, infinite existence. In contrast, Jesus's sonship and begotten status pertain to His incarnation, where the eternal Word took on human nature at a specific point in history. This does not imply that Jesus (the Son) existed eternally as a separate entity from the Father, but rather that the one God manifested Himself in human form for the purpose of redemption.
If God's Son is NOT "eternal" then God the Father has not always been an eternal Father.
The Father-Son relationship is understood in the context of the incarnation. God has always been eternally self-existent and does not need a Son to define His fatherhood. The term "Father" is relational and reflects God's role in creation and redemption, particularly through the incarnation of Jesus. This fatherhood is fully revealed in the New Testament when the Word becomes flesh (John 1:14). Additionally, the term "Father" emphasizes God's love, care, and authority over creation, illustrating a relational aspect that does not require an eternal counterpart but is fulfilled in His plan of salvation through Christ. Therefore, God's fatherhood is not contingent on the existence of the Son from eternity but is manifested in time through Jesus Christ.
You can not be a Father without having a Son. You can NOT be a Son without having a Father.
While this is true in human terms, it does not necessarily apply to the divine nature of God. The "Father" and "Son" terminology in Scripture serves to communicate God's plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. It is a relational term rather than an indication of an eternal, dependent relationship within the Godhead. In John 14:9, Jesus says, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father," emphasizing that His role as the Son is to reveal the Father to humanity. The relational terms help us understand God's actions and attributes within the framework of His redemptive work, rather than suggesting a literal, eternal family structure. Moreover, in Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is called "Everlasting Father," which underscores the complexity of these titles and their symbolic significance in revealing different aspects of God's nature and His relationship with humanity.
As long as God the Father has existed so has God the Son existed from eternity past.
This statement implies co-eternality, which conflicts with the concept of "begotten." Scripture emphasizes Jesus's role as the manifestation of God in the flesh (John 1:14). Colossians 2:9 explains that in Jesus dwells "all the fullness of the Godhead bodily," indicating that Jesus is the embodiment of the eternal God in time and space, not a separate, co-eternal person. Furthermore, John 1:1-3 identifies Jesus as the Word, who was with God and was God, emphasizing His divine nature and role in creation. However, it is in verse 14 that the Word becomes flesh, marking the point of Jesus's incarnation. Hebrews 1:3 describes Jesus as the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being," affirming His divine identity while highlighting the unique manifestation in human form. Thus, the concept of "begotten" pertains to Jesus's incarnation, revealing God's plan of salvation through His tangible presence among humanity.
Only begotten, first begotten has no time element associated with it.
The terms "only begotten" and "first begotten" do indeed imply a point of origin. "Begotten" means to bring forth or to produce. The biblical context, especially in John 1:14, refers to the incarnation, where the Word (God) became flesh. Therefore, "begotten" signifies Jesus's unique role as God's manifestation in human form. This specific term highlights the miraculous and singular nature of Jesus's birth, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. It underscores the profound truth that while Jesus's divinity is eternal, His humanity had a definite beginning in time. Hence, "begotten" encapsulates the mystery of the incarnation, where the eternal God entered human history as Jesus Christ, fully divine and fully human.
Jesus Christ has always been the first and only begotten Son of God from eternity past to eternity future.
This statement misinterprets the meaning of "begotten." Jesus is the "only begotten Son" in the sense that He uniquely reveals God to humanity through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection. The concept of "eternity past" contradicts the idea of "begotten," which indicates a beginning. The term "begotten" in biblical language signifies a specific act of generation, not an eternal state. Hebrews 1:5 says, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you," pointing to a particular moment in time. Therefore, the eternal nature of Jesus refers to His divinity as the Word (John 1:1), while His begotten status pertains to His incarnation as the Son of God.
This puts Jesus in a unique place as the preeminent Son of God as he always was from eternity.
Jesus is indeed unique and preeminent, as Colossians 1:18 states, "He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent." This preeminence is based on His redemptive work and resurrection, not on an eternal sonship. Jesus's uniqueness lies in His role as God incarnate, reconciling humanity to God. As the "firstborn from the dead," He inaugurated the new creation through His victory over death, emphasizing His supremacy in all things. His preeminence is further demonstrated by His authority to forgive sins, perform miracles, and offer eternal life, highlighting His divine nature and mission. Thus, Jesus's status as the "Son of God" is fundamentally tied to His incarnation and His role in God's salvific plan for humanity.
