Don Carson shows what bearing study of Jesus as the Son of God has on the way Christians should think about Jesus, their evangelism and worship.
'I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in his only Son Jesus, our Lord.'
Millions of Christians recite these words from the Apostles' Creed week by week - but what does it mean to confess Jesus as God's only Son? What does it mean to say that the God of the Bible has a Son? It cannot possibly mean exactly the same thing as when a human parent says, 'Yes, I have a son.'
Moreover, in various places in Scripture we learn that Adam is God's son, Israel is God's son, king Solomon is God's son, the Israelites are sons of God, the peacemakers shall be called sons of God, and angels can be referred to as God's sons. So in what way is Jesus' sonship like, or unlike, any of these? Why should we think of him as God's only Son?
With clarity and insight, Don Carson addresses these questions, and shows what bearing study of Jesus as the Son of God has on the way Christians should think about Jesus, their evangelism and worship. He also engages with current debates regarding translation of the title, especially in Muslim contexts.
Preface
1. “Son of God” as a Christological Title
2. “Son of God” in Select Passages
3. “Jesus the Son of God” in Christian and Muslim Contexts
| Contributors | Don Carson |
|---|---|
| ISBN | 9781844749478 |
| Format | eBook |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | IVP |
'No christological designation is as essential as ‘Son of God’; none is more important. This study makes that impressively clear by sound and careful exegesis and theological reflection in the face of misunderstandings and disputes, past and current. Once again, D. A. Carson serves the church well.'
- Richard B. Gaffin Jr., Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Emeritus, Westminster Theological Seminary
'I know what it is to reject Jesus as the ‘Son of God.’ As a former Muslim, nothing baffled and, quite frankly, angered me more than hearing Christians call Jesus ‘the Son of God.’ I thought such persons were blasphemers worthy of condemnation. But now, nothing gives me more joy than to know that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and that the title ‘Son of God’ carries far more truth and wonder than I could have imagined. So I welcome this volume from D. A. Carson with all the enthusiasm and joy of one who once denied the truth that Jesus is the Son of God. With his customarily clear, warm, careful, and balanced manner, Carson gives us a fresh exploration of a precious truth that so many Christians take for granted and so many Muslims misunderstand. If you want to know Jesus and the Bible better, this surely is one aid that will not disappoint.'
- Thabiti Anyabwile, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman; author, What Is a Healthy Church Member?
'What does it mean for us to confess that Jesus is the Son of God? D. A. Carson tackles this question in Jesus the Son of God. In this little book he lays a firm foundation to help the church understand ‘Son of God’ with reference to Jesus. After considering uses of ‘Son of God’ in Scripture, both in general and when applied to Jesus, Carson models the way systematic theology should be based on solid biblical exegesis. Carson is especially concerned to bring his study to bear on the controverted issue in missiological circles concerning how to present Jesus as Son of God in Christian and Muslim contexts. Here he critically, but kindly, calls for rethinking new translations that have replaced references to God the Father and Jesus as his Son to make them more acceptable to Muslims.'
- Robert A. Peterson, Professor of Systematic Theology, Covenant Seminary
