What is the Doctrine of Eternal Sonship?

The doctrine of Eternal Sonship refers

to the theological belief that Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, has always existed as the Son, even before His incarnation in the New Testament. According to this doctrine, Jesus’ sonship is not something that began when He was born in Bethlehem, but rather, He has been the Son of God from all eternity, in a relationship of eternal love and fellowship with God the Father. This idea asserts that Jesus’ identity as the Son of God is intrinsic and eternal, not something that came into being at a specific point in history.

The doctrine of Eternal Sonship emphasizes that Jesus is not merely the Son of God because of His birth in the human sense, but He has always been the Son in the eternal nature of God, distinct from the Father but fully divine. This teaching is important for maintaining the full divinity and eternal nature of Jesus Christ, affirming His eternal relationship with the Father.

Theological Background and Basis

The concept of eternal sonship is grounded in the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, which teaches that God is one essence in three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. The doctrine asserts that within the Trinity, the Son is eternally begotten of the Father, meaning that the Son has always been the Son, and the Father has always been the Father. This relationship is not one that is contingent on the incarnation, but rather it is part of the eternal nature of God.

In the Nicene Creed (AD 325), which is foundational to Christian orthodoxy, the phrase “begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father” is used to describe the Son’s eternal relationship with the Father. This affirms that the Son’s nature and existence have always been in perfect unity with the Father, even before time and space were created.

Biblical Support for the Doctrine of Eternal Sonship

1. John 1:1-3, 14
   • “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made…The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”

   In this passage, John identifies Jesus as “the Word” (Logos), who was with God in the beginning and was, in fact, God Himself. The use of “was” (in the Greek, “ēn”) indicates that Jesus’ existence as the Word predates creation, affirming His eternal nature and divine sonship.

2. John 17:5
   • “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

   Jesus, in His prayer, speaks of the glory He shared with the Father before the world existed. This statement implies the pre-existence of Jesus, suggesting that His role as the Son existed before His earthly incarnation and even before the creation of the universe.

3. Micah 5:2
   • “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

   This Old Testament prophecy, often applied to Jesus, suggests that the Messiah’s origins go back to ancient times, long before His birth in Bethlehem, hinting at His eternal existence as the Son.

4. Hebrews 1:2-3
   • “But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

   The writer of Hebrews emphasizes that the Son has always been the agent of creation (“through whom also he made the universe”) and that He is the “exact representation” of the Father’s nature. This supports the idea that the Son is eternal and divine, not a created being.

5. Colossians 1:15-17
   • “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

   This passage highlights the pre-existence of Christ and His role in creation. It shows that the Son is not a created being, but that He existed before all things and was integral to the creation of the universe, further supporting the concept of eternal sonship.

6. Revelation 1:8
   • “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

   Jesus, identified as the Alpha and the Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet), claims to have existed from eternity, further reinforcing the eternal nature of His identity as the Son of God.

Theological Implications of Eternal Sonship

1. Affirmation of Jesus’ Full Divinity The doctrine of eternal sonship is vital for affirming the full divinity of Jesus Christ. If Jesus were only the Son of God in a temporal or created sense, it would undermine His divinity. The eternal relationship between the Father and the Son, described in this doctrine, ensures that Jesus is fully God, eternal and unchanging, and not a created being.
2. Preservation of the Trinity Eternal sonship is essential for maintaining the traditional Christian understanding of the Trinity. If Jesus’ sonship were only a role He took on during His incarnation, it would imply that the relationship between the Father and the Son is not eternal, which would be inconsistent with the doctrine of the Trinity as understood in orthodox Christianity. The doctrine affirms that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are eternally distinct persons within the one Godhead.
3. Jesus as the Eternal Savior The idea of eternal sonship also reinforces the understanding of Jesus as the eternal Savior. If Jesus was always the Son, His role in the salvation of humanity was part of God’s eternal plan. His life, death, and resurrection were not a temporary mission, but part of God’s eternal purpose for the redemption of creation.

Is the Doctrine of Eternal Sonship Biblical?

Yes, the doctrine of eternal sonship is biblically supported. The passages from John, Hebrews, Colossians, and Revelation all affirm that Jesus has existed eternally as the Son of God. These biblical texts make it clear that Jesus is not a created being but has existed with the Father from eternity past. This doctrine preserves the full divinity of Christ, the eternal nature of His relationship with the Father, and the unity of the Trinity.

However, it is important to note that this doctrine can be difficult for some Christians to grasp fully, particularly when trying to understand the mystery of the Trinity. Nevertheless, the biblical evidence supports the eternal nature of Jesus’ sonship, and it has been a foundational doctrine of orthodox Christianity since the early Church Councils, such as the Council of Nicaea (325 AD).

Conclusion

The doctrine of Eternal Sonship is not only biblical but also crucial for understanding the nature of Jesus Christ and His eternal relationship with the Father. This doctrine affirms that Jesus Christ has always existed as the Son of God and was not made or created at a particular point in time. It is essential for preserving the full divinity of Jesus, the integrity of the Trinity, and the eternal plan of salvation.