Hi JS and all,
This subject is interesting,...and Jesus being the 'Special' and 'Unique' Son does hold. The term itself is most wonderful. Jesus holds a special place in his Sonship, of course, but we also are sons of God via adoption, sharing his spirit, so...as the body of Messiah, we all represent the Son of God, and God's Messiah
Now concerning John 1:18 this is interesting since some ancient manuscripts have the rendering of Jesus being the "only begotten god", while others render it "his only Son". This threw an interesting wrench into the machine concerning the great
Arian Controversy....but nevertheless,...I can see Jesus being a specially begotten god
-
He is God's SON anyways....know matter how you descrine or assume the process of the 'begetting'
- one does not need to be a trinitarian to accept this, and I've contended an Arian view is just as well, Jesus is still God's Son, and God is still the Father.
God is not diminished in anyway in an Arian Christology (protesting aside), neither could 'Real God' EVER be diminished, so I see all this fuss over/against Arianism (from since the 4th century...and continuing by their own steam)
as mere doctrinal posturing and preferential viewmanship.
The Arian Catholic Church continues just as well,...and they are upholding all the SAME ethical/moral/'Christian' virtues and teachings as any other christian 'denomination', they just have a more Unitarian doctrinal perspective, and furthermore incorporate their religious practice using reason and modern science - I think any religious system ought to be 'progressive'
What is important as a disciple of Jesus is to live the religion he lived, and not get too focused or frustrated over trying to make him into 'this' or 'that' or your 'versio'n of 'God'...which is what is going on for the most part.
Only 'God' is 'God'....and this God is the Father-God, who alone is the Father of all things and beings, incorporeal, infinite, without beginning or end, prior and trancending space-time and form,...the Infinite ONE out of which all souls, all spirits spring. This Infinite Father-God is the 'God' and 'Father' of the Lord Jesus....and always shall BE.
In any case 'God' was manifesting his love, revealing Himself in all his qualities and attributes in/thru the Son, and always DOES, as much as Jesus continues to be His Son,....God also reveals his qualities and atributes of divinity in us too! As the Spirit of God/Christ abides in us, and we walk in the the divine nature and guidance of that spirit. THIS is all that matters,...
for to have the Spirit is life and peace.
There is nothing wrong with a Unitarian Christology or theology,
except to those who disagree with it. And this is the truth. So hash it out all you like. The good news of the kingdom prevails, and there are even more truth about God that awaits discovery.
And dont forget kiddos,...this should come as no surprise to those familiar with freelights very eclectic theology
get over it. -
God is still God,...and in his infinite awesomeness...sometimes he really doesn't need any "help" (in the form of so many 'apologetics' going on trying to defend Him). 'God' as absolute reality, needs no defense, for truth cannot be defeated, but can be surrender to and realized. In this sense, the eastern religions have something to teach the west, although mystics from all world religious traditions converge on the same universal ground of 'God', ever at the Heart of all.
