Is the concept of 'Son of God' essential for understanding Jesus' identity?

Question 1

Some see Jesus as God’s revelation. What does this mean?

Answer 1

This means that Jesus is God revealed in a human life. Jesus expresses this directly on occasions, but reveals it all the time through his behaviours

Question 2

What does Jesus do to express the fact that he is God’s revelation?

Answer 2

• Commanding demons
• Controlling nature
• Forgiving sins

Question 3

Why do Jesus’ death and resurrection necessitate him being the Son of God?

Answer 3

His atoning death can only remove sins if he is God and his resurrection can only be explained by him being God, as he is able to conquer death

Question 4

Why isn’t the Son of God a pagan idea?

Answer 4

It’s a phrase used in the Old Testament and by the 1st century it had become a title for the Messiah

Question 5

How did Jesus see himself the majority of the time?

Answer 5

As a teacher and a profit

Question 6

Why is the fact that Jesus forgave sins crucial in the debate about whether he was the Son of God?

Answer 6

Because this is something only God can do

Question 7

How did the term ‘Son of God’ become prominent in Christianity?

Answer 7

It was originally a Hellenic term that crept into the religion when Gentile converts brought their pagan ideas into the new religion

Question 8

Why would Jesus expressedly stating he was the Son of God not even be sufficient evidence to prove he was the Son of God?

Answer 8

Because this statement can be interpreted in a multitude of ways