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Question: What scriptures explain the Mormon view of Jesus' divine Sonship?: Difference between revisions
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Do Mormons believe that Mary was still a virgin when Jesus was born?
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[Working on citations--GLS]
Questions
How do members of the Church understand the divine Sonship of Jesus Christ, and the relationship between the Father and Son, since there is only "one God"?
To see citations to the critical sources for these claims, [[../CriticalSources|click here]]
Answer
Although the Bible contains numerous examples of the separate nature of the Father and the Son, there are only a few instances where all three members of the Godhead are described as separate and distinct.[1] The best example is the baptism of Jesus Christ (3.13-17?lang=eng#13-17 Matt. 3:13-17; 1.9-11?lang=eng#9-11 Mark 1:9-11; 3.21-22?lang=eng#21-22 Luke 3:21-22; 1.29-32?lang=eng#29-32 John 1:29-32). In all but John's account all three members of the Godhead are identified: the Father bearing witness "from heaven" (3.17?lang=eng#17 Matt. 3:17; 1.11?lang=eng#11 Mark 1:11; 3.22?lang=eng#22 Luke 3:22), the Son "coming up out of the water" (1.10), and the "Holy Ghost descending in a bodily shape like a dove" ([http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/luke/ 3.22?lang=eng#22 Luke 3:22). All three members of the Godhead are clearly separate entities who, in this instance, are physically separated also.
Detailed Analysis
John provides another scriptural witness that "there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Holy Ghost" (5.7?lang=eng#7 1 Jn. 5:7). John adds that "these three are [actually] one,” apparently meaning one witness because they, like the witnesses of the spirit, the water, and the blood "agree in one" (5.8?lang=eng#8 1 Jn. 5:8). Bible scholars have noted that 5.7?lang=eng#7 1 Jn. 5:7 and 8 are not found in the early Greek manuscripts and may therefore be of questionable authority. Whether or not these verses are authentic, it is clear from other Bible passages that the Father and the Son are in fact separate witnesses. John himself records in 8.17-18?lang=eng#17-18 John 8:17-18 and 28-29:{{{4}}} that Jesus taught: "It is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me... I do nothing of myself; but as my Father taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please him.”
Old Testament
Many who espouse the Triune concept point to Old Testament scriptures as proof that there is only one God (1.1?lang=eng#1 Gen. 1:1; 43.10-12?lang=eng#10-12 Isa. 43:10-12; 8?lang=eng#6, 8 44:6, 8; 9:{{{4}}}) but these verses, as originally written, made no such claim. Although our King James Version (KJV) states in Genesis 1:1 that, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” the Hebrew identified Eloheim as the creator. Eloheim is the plural form of eloah (as used in 44.8?lang=eng#8 Isa. 44:8) which means God or Deity. Thus eloheim literally means Gods or Deities and Genesis 1?lang=eng#10), and the "Holy Ghost descending in a bodily shape like a dove" (3.22?lang=eng#22 Luke 3:22). All three members of the Godhead are clearly separate entities who, in this instance, are physically separated also.
Detailed Analysis
John provides another scriptural witness that "there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Holy Ghost" (5.7?lang=eng#7 1 Jn. 5:7). John adds that "these three are [actually] one,” apparently meaning one witness because they, like the witnesses of the spirit, the water, and the blood "agree in one" (5.8?lang=eng#8 1 Jn. 5:8). Bible scholars have noted that 5.7?lang=eng#7 1 Jn. 5:7 and 8 are not found in the early Greek manuscripts and may therefore be of questionable authority. Whether or not these verses are authentic, it is clear from other Bible passages that the Father and the Son are in fact separate witnesses. John himself records in 8.17-18?lang=eng#17-18 John 8:17-18 and 28-29:{{{4}}} that Jesus taught: "It is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me... I do nothing of myself; but as my Father taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please him.”
Old Testament
Many who espouse the Triune concept point to Old Testament scriptures as proof that there is only one God (1.1?lang=eng#1 Gen. 1:1; 43.10-12?lang=eng#10-12 Isa. 43:10-12; 8?lang=eng#6, 8 44:6, 8; 9:{{{4}}}) but these verses, as originally written, made no such claim. Although our King James Version (KJV) states in Genesis 1:1 that, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” the Hebrew identified Eloheim as the creator. Eloheim is the plural form of eloah (as used in 44.8?lang=eng#8 Isa. 44:8) which means God or Deity. Thus eloheim literally means Gods or Deities and Genesis 1 Mark 1:10), and the "Holy Ghost descending in a bodily shape like a dove" (3.22?lang=eng#22 Luke 3:22). All three members of the Godhead are clearly separate entities who, in this instance, are physically separated also.
Detailed Analysis
John provides another scriptural witness that "there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Holy Ghost" (5.7?lang=eng#7 1 Jn. 5:7). John adds that "these three are [actually] one,” apparently meaning one witness because they, like the witnesses of the spirit, the water, and the blood "agree in one" (5.8?lang=eng#8 1 Jn. 5:8). Bible scholars have noted that 5.7?lang=eng#7 1 Jn. 5:7 and 8 are not found in the early Greek manuscripts and may therefore be of questionable authority. Whether or not these verses are authentic, it is clear from other Bible passages that the Father and the Son are in fact separate witnesses. John himself records in 8.17-18?lang=eng#17-18 John 8:17-18 and 28-29:{{{4}}} that Jesus taught: "It is written in your law that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me... I do nothing of myself; but as my Father taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone, for I do always those things that please him.”
Old Testament
Many who espouse the Triune concept point to Old Testament scriptures as proof that there is only one God (1.1?lang=eng#1 Gen. 1:1; 43.10-12?lang=eng#10-12 Isa. 43:10-12; 8?lang=eng#6, 8 44:6, 8; 9:{{{4}}}) but these verses, as originally written, made no such claim. Although our King James Version (KJV) states in Genesis 1:1 that, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” the Hebrew identified Eloheim as the creator. Eloheim is the plural form of eloah (as used in 44.8?lang=eng#8 Isa. 44:8) which means God or Deity. Thus eloheim literally means Gods or Deities and Genesis 1] describes a fourth individual in Nebuchadnezzar's furnace whose form was like a "Son of God [Elah].” 30.?lang=eng# Proverbs 30:4 speaks of the "son" of the creator and Daniel 7:13 refers to the glorious coming of the "Son of man" (compare 3.13?lang=eng#13 John 3:13 andMoses 6꞉57). 11.1?lang=eng#1 Hosea 11:1 was quoted by Matthew 2:15) as a prophecy that God's "son" would be called out of Egypt and we should not forget that Isaiah's famous messianic prophecy foretold the birth of a son who would also be known by the titles "everlasting Father" and "mighty God" (7.14?lang=eng#14 Isa. 7:14; 9:16).
Although the New Testament also speaks of the "oneness" of the Godhead (10.30?lang=eng#30 John 10:30; 21, 22?lang=eng#11, 21, 22 17:11, 21, 22; 8.4-6?lang=eng#4-6 1 Cor. 8:4-6; 5.7?lang=eng#7 1 Jn. 5:7), the context of the verses generally provides the key to a correct interpretation. {{b||John|, for example, quotes the Savior's reference to his own oneness with the Father but also indicates that the disciples need to be one (using the same Greek word) with himself, God, and other believers (6.56?lang=eng#56 John 6:56; 14:20; 21-22?lang=eng#11, 21-22 17:11, 21-22; 3.24?lang=eng#24 1 Jn. 3:24; 15?lang=eng#13, 15 4:13, 15). The context of many of Paul's references to oneness make it clear that he is speaking of a oneness of mind and spirit. Paul speaks, in {{b|1|Corinthians 2|16, of having "the mind of Christ.” He likewise tells the Philippians "stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (1.27?lang=eng#27 Phil. 1:27; see also 5.22-25?lang=eng#22-25 Gal. 5:22-25 and 1.10?lang=eng#10 1 Cor. 1:10). Paul also made frequent reference to a oneness of the saints (again using the same Greek word) with God and Christ as well as with other members (8.1?lang=eng#1 Rom. 8:1; 12:16; 15:6; 3.16?lang=eng#16 1 Cor. 3:16;6.17?lang=eng#17 6:17; 10:17; 12:13; 5.17?lang=eng#17 2 Cor. 5:17;6.16?lang=eng#16 6:16; 2.20?lang=eng#20 Gal. 2:20; 3:28; 1.10?lang=eng#10 Eph. 1:10; 3.17?lang=eng#17 3:17; 1.27?lang=eng#27 Phil. 1:27; 1.27?lang=eng#27 Col. 1:27; 2.10?lang=eng#10 2:10; 2.11?lang=eng#11 Heb. 2:11). It is especially significant that Paul used the same verbal construction as Christ used in saying, "I and my Father are one" (10.30?lang=eng#30 John 10:30) to describe his relationship to Apollos. He wrote, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.... Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one..." (3.6, 8?lang=eng#6, 8 1 Cor. 3:6, 8). From the above cited references it should be clear that both John's and Paul's concept of "oneness" was not that of a merging of substance but was an expression of unity of purpose, mind, and heart. Modern scripture also confirms this interpretation (35?lang=eng&id=p2#p2 D&C 35꞉2; {{bv||xxx| 50|43; 130.22?lang=eng#22 130:22).
Jesus Christ taught: "And now... I come to thee, Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one [in purpose and unity] as we are." ([http://lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/ 17.11)
Scriptural examples
Here are some New Testament scriptural examples that illustrate the separate nature and substance of the Father and the Son:
1. God spoke from heaven while Christ was on the earth - 3.17?lang=eng#17 Matt. 3:17; 17.5?lang=eng#5 17:5; 1.11?lang=eng#11 Mark 1:11; 3.22?lang=eng#22 Luke 3:22; 12.28-30?lang=eng#28-30 John 12:28-30 2. God is a separate witness of Christ - 5.36-37?lang=eng#36-37 John 5:36-37; 8.17-18?lang=eng#17-18 8:17-18 3. Christ was "with" God in the beginning - 1.1-3, 10, 14?lang=eng#1-3, 10, 14 John 1:1-3, 10, 14; 6.38?lang=eng#38 6:38; 16.28?lang=eng#28 16:28; 17.3, 5, 24?lang=eng#3, 5, 24 17:3, 5, 24; 20.21?lang=eng#21 20:21; 4.14?lang=eng#14 1 Jn. 4:14; 3.9?lang=eng#9 Eph. 3:9 4. Christ is God's Son - 9.7?lang=eng#7 Mark 9:7; 3.16?lang=eng#16 John 3:16; 9.35-37?lang=eng#35-37 9:35-37; 17.1?lang=eng#1 17:1; 20.17, 21, 31?lang=eng#17, 21, 31 20:17, 21, 31; 3.14?lang=eng#14 Eph. 3:14; 1.6?lang=eng#6 Heb. 1:6; 5.5?lang=eng#5 5:5 5. Christ prayed to his Father - 6.6-9?lang=eng#6-9 Matt. 6:6-9; 26.39?lang=eng#39 26:39; 27.46?lang=eng#46 27:46; 23.34?lang=eng#34 Luke 23:34; 12.27-28?lang=eng#27-28 John 12:27-28; 16.26?lang=eng#26 16:26; 17.10-11?lang=eng#10-11 17:10-11 6. Christ was seen standing at the right hand of God - 16.19?lang=eng#19 Mark 16:19; Lk 22?lang=eng#11)
Scriptural examples
Here are some New Testament scriptural examples that illustrate the separate nature and substance of the Father and the Son:
1. God spoke from heaven while Christ was on the earth - 3.17?lang=eng#17 Matt. 3:17; 17.5?lang=eng#5 17:5; 1.11?lang=eng#11 Mark 1:11; 3.22?lang=eng#22 Luke 3:22; 12.28-30?lang=eng#28-30 John 12:28-30 2. God is a separate witness of Christ - 5.36-37?lang=eng#36-37 John 5:36-37; 8.17-18?lang=eng#17-18 8:17-18 3. Christ was "with" God in the beginning - 1.1-3, 10, 14?lang=eng#1-3, 10, 14 John 1:1-3, 10, 14; 6.38?lang=eng#38 6:38; 16.28?lang=eng#28 16:28; 17.3, 5, 24?lang=eng#3, 5, 24 17:3, 5, 24; 20.21?lang=eng#21 20:21; 4.14?lang=eng#14 1 Jn. 4:14; 3.9?lang=eng#9 Eph. 3:9 4. Christ is God's Son - 9.7?lang=eng#7 Mark 9:7; 3.16?lang=eng#16 John 3:16; 9.35-37?lang=eng#35-37 9:35-37; 17.1?lang=eng#1 17:1; 20.17, 21, 31?lang=eng#17, 21, 31 20:17, 21, 31; 3.14?lang=eng#14 Eph. 3:14; 1.6?lang=eng#6 Heb. 1:6; 5.5?lang=eng#5 5:5 5. Christ prayed to his Father - 6.6-9?lang=eng#6-9 Matt. 6:6-9; 26.39?lang=eng#39 26:39; 27.46?lang=eng#46 27:46; 23.34?lang=eng#34 Luke 23:34; 12.27-28?lang=eng#27-28 John 12:27-28; 16.26?lang=eng#26 16:26; 17.10-11?lang=eng#10-11 17:10-11 6. Christ was seen standing at the right hand of God - 16.19?lang=eng#19 Mark 16:19; Lk 22 John 17:11)
Scriptural examples
Here are some New Testament scriptural examples that illustrate the separate nature and substance of the Father and the Son:
1. God spoke from heaven while Christ was on the earth - 3.17?lang=eng#17 Matt. 3:17; 17.5?lang=eng#5 17:5; 1.11?lang=eng#11 Mark 1:11; 3.22?lang=eng#22 Luke 3:22; 12.28-30?lang=eng#28-30 John 12:28-30 2. God is a separate witness of Christ - 5.36-37?lang=eng#36-37 John 5:36-37; 8.17-18?lang=eng#17-18 8:17-18 3. Christ was "with" God in the beginning - 1.1-3, 10, 14?lang=eng#1-3, 10, 14 John 1:1-3, 10, 14; 6.38?lang=eng#38 6:38; 16.28?lang=eng#28 16:28; 17.3, 5, 24?lang=eng#3, 5, 24 17:3, 5, 24; 20.21?lang=eng#21 20:21; 4.14?lang=eng#14 1 Jn. 4:14; 3.9?lang=eng#9 Eph. 3:9 4. Christ is God's Son - 9.7?lang=eng#7 Mark 9:7; 3.16?lang=eng#16 John 3:16; 9.35-37?lang=eng#35-37 9:35-37; 17.1?lang=eng#1 17:1; 20.17, 21, 31?lang=eng#17, 21, 31 20:17, 21, 31; 3.14?lang=eng#14 Eph. 3:14; 1.6?lang=eng#6 Heb. 1:6; 5.5?lang=eng#5 5:5 5. Christ prayed to his Father - 6.6-9?lang=eng#6-9 Matt. 6:6-9; 26.39?lang=eng#39 26:39; 27.46?lang=eng#46 27:46; 23.34?lang=eng#34 Luke 23:34; 12.27-28?lang=eng#27-28 John 12:27-28; 16.26?lang=eng#26 16:26; 17.10-11?lang=eng#10-11 17:10-11 6. Christ was seen standing at the right hand of God - 16.19?lang=eng#19 Mark 16:19; Lk 22]; 2.33?lang=eng#33 Acts 2:33; 7.55-56?lang=eng#55-56 7:55-56; 8.34?lang=eng#34 Rom. 8:34; 1.20?lang=eng#20 Eph. 1:20; 3.1?lang=eng#1 Col. 3:1; 1.3?lang=eng#3 Heb. 1:3; 10.12?lang=eng#12 10:12; 3.22?lang=eng#22 1 Pet. 3:22; Rev. 3:21 7. The Father committed all judgment unto the Son - 5.17-20, 22-23?lang=eng#17-20, 22-23 John 5:17-20, 22-23; 2.16?lang=eng#16 Rom. 2:16; 4.1?lang=eng#1 2 Tim. 4:1 8. God anointed Jesus Christ - 10.38?lang=eng#38 Acts 10:38; 1.9?lang=eng#9 Heb. 1:9 9. God honored, blessed and glorified Christ - 12.18?lang=eng#18 Matt. 12:18; 5.26?lang=eng#26 John 5:26; 12.23?lang=eng#23 12:23; 17.1, 24?lang=eng#1, 24 17:1, 24; 3.13?lang=eng#13 Acts 3:13; 5.30-31?lang=eng#30-31 5:30-31; 1.17-18?lang=eng#17-18 2 Pet. 1:17-18; 2.9?lang=eng#9 Phil. 2:9 10. Jesus was raised up by God - 5.30-31?lang=eng#30-31 Acts 5:30-31; 1.21?lang=eng#21 1 Pet. 1:21 11. God and Jesus are plural (we, our, us) - 1.26?lang=eng#26 Gen. 1:26; 6.8?lang=eng#8 Isa. 6:8; 14.23?lang=eng#23 John 14:23; 17.11, 22?lang=eng#11, 22 17:11, 22 12. God "sent" Christ to atone for us - 9.37?lang=eng#37 Mark 9:37; 3.16?lang=eng#16 John 3:16; 5.24?lang=eng#24 5:24; 6.38?lang=eng#38 6:38; 7.28-29?lang=eng#28-29 7:28-29; 8.42?lang=eng#42 8:42; 12.44-45?lang=eng#44-45 12:44-45; 17.3-4, 6-10, 18, 25?lang=eng#3-4, 6-10, 18, 25 17:3-4, 6-10, 18, 25; 20.21?lang=eng#21 20:21; 4.14?lang=eng#14 1 Jn. 4:14 13. Christ asked men to pray to God in his name - 6.6?lang=eng#6 Matt. 6:6; 3.17?lang=eng#17 Col. 3:17; 7.25-26?lang=eng#25-26 Heb. 7:25-26 14. Christ spoke of his Father in heaven - 10.33?lang=eng#33 Matt. 10:33; 16.15-19?lang=eng#15-19 16:15-19; 14.12?lang=eng#12 John 14:12; 20.15-17?lang=eng#15-17 20:15-17. Only God knew the exact time of the end; Christ did not then know - 13.32?lang=eng#32 Mark 13:32; 24.36?lang=eng#36 Matt. 24:36 16. God the Father is Christ's God - 15.34?lang=eng#34 Mark 15:34; 20.17?lang=eng#17 John 20:17; 1.17?lang=eng#17 Eph. 1:17; 1.3?lang=eng#3 1 Pet. 1:3 17. Christ's will and doctrine were separate from God's - 26.39-42?lang=eng#39-42 Matt. 26:39-42; 22.41-42?lang=eng#41-42 Luke 22:41-42; 5.30?lang=eng#30 John 5:30; 7.16-17?lang=eng#16-17 7:16-17; 14.10?lang=eng#10 14:10 18. Christ did his Father's not his own work - 2.49-50?lang=eng#49-50 Luke 2:49-50; 17.3-4?lang=eng#3-4 John 17:3-4 19. Christ came in his Father's name - 5.43?lang=eng#43 John 5:43 20. Christ came from and returned to God - 14.12?lang=eng#12 John 14:12; 16.27-28, 30?lang=eng#27-28, 30 16:27-28, 30; 3.21-22?lang=eng#21-22 1 Pet. 3:21-22 21. The Father was "greater than" the Son - 10.29?lang=eng#29 John 10:29; 14.28?lang=eng#28 14:28; 15.28?lang=eng#28 1 Cor. 15:28 22. We come to the Father only by the Son - 14.6?lang=eng#6 John 14:6 23. Christ will deliver up the kingdom to God - 15.24?lang=eng#24 1 Cor. 15:24 24. Christ is mediator between God and men - 2.5?lang=eng#5 1 Tim. 2:5; 8.6?lang=eng#6 Heb. 8:6; 9.5?lang=eng#5 9:5; 12.24?lang=eng#24 12:24
Notes
- ↑ This wiki article was initially based upon an entry in Michael Hickenbotham, Answering Challenging Mormon Questions: Replies to 130 Queries by Friends and Critics of the LDS Church (Horizon Publishers & Distributors, 1995) (now published by Cedar Fort Publisher: Springville, UT, 2004), xxx. ISBN 0882905368. ISBN 0882907786. ISBN 0882907786. Due to the nature of a wiki project, it may have been expanded, edited, and emended since then.