Why do so many people refer to Jesus as god's 'only begotten son'? The word 'begotten' refers to being sired or produced.
Therefore, Jesus should be referred to as 'God's only son', not 'God's only begotten son'. It means exactly the same thing, nothing is achieved by adding this extra word.
So, answering honestly - how many people actually knew what the term means, even though they probably write it down every time they mention Jesus?
2007-10-10 11:17:16 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Mrs Badgrumbles - your definition of 'begotten' is wrong. Look it up in a dictionary if you need to.
2007-10-11 09:58:55 · update #1
DEE - I am going to report you every time I see an answer or question from you. I don't like you and hope something bad happens to you soon.
2007-10-11 09:59:57 · update #2
because jesus is the ONLY thing that was created by JUST God. EVERYTHING else after Jesus was created by both of them together. Thats why he is his only BEGOTTEN son.
2007-10-10 11:21:43 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ AnimalLover ♥ 2 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Sorry, but they had to stick "begotten" in there to make him special. You see, the Torah (OT, Five Books of Moses) in Genesis talks about the SONS OF GOD. So if Jesus was just a Son of God, he would not be the first, or even the second, at best he would come in at number three. So the early Xians borrowed the "God having a son with a human woman" story (Hercules, son of Zeus) in an attempt to beef up his credentials. And many people bought the story.
2007-10-10 18:47:02 · answer #2 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Begotten leaves no doubt as to the fact that Jesus was sired by God rather than being an adopted son for example.
2007-10-10 18:23:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
JESUS WAS BEGOTTEN
This does not mean created it means unique specially blessed or favoured. Abraham had two sons and Issac was called Abraham's "only begotten son"
FIRST BORN OF CREATION
This does not mean first created colossians 1:15 in Greek PROTOTOKOS means Heir first in rank.. If created it would have said PROTOKTISTOS see colossi ans 1:16...How can the agent by which all creation came be created.
2007-10-10 18:31:54 · answer #4 · answered by : 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I guess the best way I can think of putting it is that Jesus is God's "biological" son. Christ is completely human and completely God. The "only begotten Son" part of the creed defines the completely God part of Christ. Does that make any sense?
A.F.
2007-10-10 18:53:09 · answer #5 · answered by Atticus Finch 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually it specifies Jesus as being the actual physical child of God, not metaphorically his child, not adopted, and not illegitimate. This distinguishes him from all the other humans who can be described as children of God in a less literal way.
So to be honest yes I did know what the term means, and it's etymology. I also knew the circumstance of the context it is used, and because of this context why it is not superfluous within the given statement.
2007-10-10 18:27:59 · answer #6 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
We are all God's sons and daughters, so to place Jesus higher, "begotten" was added. If begotten wasn't there, he wouldn't be Jesus, He would be another one of God's children.
Yes I knew what begotten meant before your definition.
2007-10-10 18:22:28 · answer #7 · answered by Mrs. Bear 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Of course I know what it means, and there is in fact a difference. If you adopt a baby boy, is he your begotten son? No. Is he your son? Yes. When we are born again we are adopted into the kingdom. But Jesus is the only begotten son.
2007-10-10 18:21:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋
Jesus was the only "begotten" Son of God because God was His Father! Mary didn't do it on her own! : )
2007-10-10 18:30:23 · answer #9 · answered by bessiedarlin 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are wrong. Only Son and only begotten Son are not the same thing.
2007-10-10 18:22:36 · answer #10 · answered by single eye 5 · 6⤊ 2⤋