2 Cor.

3;18
No. 1
W ith Open Face ... NOVEMBER 1996

Was It Really God’s Son That He came out of God.

Who Died On Calvary? Those who embrace the trinitarian teaching
that God is made up of three persons who are co-
equal and co-eternal, one in three and three in

A
s a Christian you one, have problems with the Scriptures which
may think that the refer to Jesus as the “only begotten Son of God.”
title of this article However, there need be no problem if we accept
asks a foolish question, what the Scriptures say, and allow ourselves to
or at any rate, one which be taught by God’s word, rather than try to read
is easy to answer. Every into the Scriptures something which is not there.
Christian, of course,
would answer a hearty,
“yes”, to such a question. WHO WAS IT THAT GAVE HIS SON?
Perhaps this may be so.
The vast majority of One of the best known texts in the Bible is
Christians (perhaps every John 3:16. Most of us learned this verse almost
single one in the world) while we were still in infancy, and have gotten
would state positively: used to the idea that it is the verse in the Bible
“Yes, I do believe that which most completely, in a single verse, ex-
God’s Son really did die presses the essence of the whole gospel. The Bible
on Calvary for me.” No doubt then, it will come as Society, Gideons International, have shown high
something of a shock to you to discover that most regard for this verse by placing it at the beginning
Christians, perhaps even you, do not actually of their published copy of the New Testament, in
believe that statement. Let me demonstrate what twenty-six different languages, and furnishing us
I mean: with the information that it has been translated
into more than eleven hundred different lan-
How would you respond to the following guages. The essential focus, the primary message
ideas? of all Scripture is captured in this one verse:
1. Jesus was not really the actual Son of “For God so loved the world that He gave
God. He was not really His offspring. His only begotten son that whosoever be-
2. Jesus was not actually the begotten lieveth in him should not perish, but have
Son of God. He was not really born from everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
God. It is a sobering thing, then, to reflect on the
3. God cannot die. Jesus was God so He fact that the vast majority of Christians in the world
could not actually have died on Calvary do not believe the truth expressed in this verse.
This is not an exaggeration, as I will demonstrate
Perhaps you are beginning to see the point I to you in a moment. Millions of persons who quote
am making. However, let me make it a little this text freely, proclaim their belief in the gos-
clearer. “Orthodox” Christian doctrine, today pel, declare their appreciation of the truth ex-
teaches that although Jesus is called the “Son of pressed in it, yet do not accept fully, the facts of
God”, over and over in the Bible, we are not to truth proclaimed by Jesus Christ in this verse.
understand the word “Son” to mean the same
thing as it means elsewhere in the Scriptures. Several vital points are made here. However,
When referring to Jesus, the word has some let us just focus on three of the principal truths:
unique, mystical meaning which is left to the “theo- 1. God’s love for the world.
logians” to interpret for us.
2. The degree, or measure of that love.
The same applies to the word, “begotten”. Five
times in the Scriptures, Jesus is called the “Only 3. The value of the gift which He gave.
begotten Son of God” (John 1:14, 18 ; John It was Jesus Himself who spoke these words,
3:16,18; 1 John 4;9). This term, only begotten is and the first great point which He wanted to make
very simple and easy to understand. Any child clear, was God’s love for the world. He wanted to
could readily tell you its meaning. In plain English, bring home to our minds, the reality of the genu-
it means that He was the only one BORN FROM . ineness, and the greatness of God’s love for us.

1
“God SO loved,” He said, and the word “so,” is “Who ONLY hath immortality ...” (1 Tim.6:16)
used to show us the degree, the extent of that Other beings are immortal, but He alone has im-
love Which our heavenly Father, God, has for us. mortality in the absolute sense. He can never ever
What is the measure of that love? It is that He be mortal, or be made to die.
gave His son, and not only His son, but His only
Yet the Scriptures teach that Jesus died for
begotten Son! This is how great God’s love for us
us! (Romans 5:6-8). Here is a dilemma indeed.
is. It is easier for a good father to die himself than
God cannot die, yet Jesus did die. The Scriptures
to give his child to die. When God gave His Son to
clearly teach both things. Let us look at the alter-
die for us, it cost Him great suffering. Jesus was
natives open to us in viewing this seeming con-
the only Being in all the universe who was a part
tradiction. Either:
of God in the truest sense. He actually came out
of God, was born; begotten (we need not ask how. 1. Jesus did not really die.
See Proverbs 8:22,23). He was close to the Fa-
ther in a way that no other being could be. Yet Or:
God gave Him, to be separated from Himself for 2. Jesus is not God (the one who only hath
thirty-three years; to suffer the scorn, persecution, immortality).
hate, rejection of a diseased world; to suffer the
pain and indignity of the cross; to know the agony Those who say that Jesus is God (the God),
and uncertainty of unexpected separation from have no alternative but to say that Jesus did not
His Father for three fearsome days and nights. really die. In other words, what happened at Cal-
God gave His only begotten Son to suffer all this, vary was only a play; just an acted drama (what
because of the greatness of His love for us. blasphemy!). Others seek to find some compro-
mise in saying that the “divine part” of Christ did
But consider this: If Jesus was not actually not die, but only the human part. However, this
God’s Son, then what sacrifice did the Father presents us with an even greater abomination,
make? Whom did He give? Another God? A friend? because what we are left with is nothing but a
A colleague? This does not demonstrate love on human sacrifice! Something which could never
the Father’s part, but rather selfishness, in send- atone for the sins of the world.
ing another, rather than coming Himself! Yet the
whole point of John 3:16 is the love of God (the Jesus was not a human being before He came
Father). to this earth. But when He came here, He became
fully a human being in every sense. All that He
“God so loved the world ...” If we embrace retained of His God-nature, was His character of
the idea of three Gods in one, or one God in three infinite love and compassion. His power, His
(the trinity), then which one are we talking about knowledge, He laid aside completely and lived in
here? All three? Or only the Father? total dependence on His Father. However, the
“God so loved ... that He gave His ... Son...” trinitarians say that He only took a HUMAN SIDE
Did the Father give His Son? Did the Holy Spirit when He came to earth. In other words, He had
give His Son? Did the Son give His Son? These two personalities. One, His personality as God and
questions are ridiculous, and yet, they need to be the other, His personality as a human being. Many
asked in order that we may clearly see what the claim that when Jesus died, His human side died,
text is saying. God is THE FATHER. It is He who but that He still continued to live as God even
gave His Son. It is He who had a Son to give. The though He was supposed to be dead. This of
Son is not the God who gave His Son, neither is course would have to be true if Jesus is truly the
the Holy Spirit that God. The focus of this text is supreme God, for the supreme God is immortal,
the love of God; but we must understand that this and cannot die.
refers specifically to the Father. It is His love Yet, if this is true; if all that died on Calvary
which is being emphasized here. It is He who is was the “human side” of Jesus, then we must ask
God. (1 Cor. 8:6) the question, what did God really sacrifice at Cal-
CAN GOD DIE? vary? According to this doctrine, the “human side”
of Jesus was really something created when He
The doctrine of the Trinity presents another was conceived in Mary’s womb. Something which
dilemma if we believe that God is a person of came into being two thousand years ago. The di-
honesty and truth. The Scriptures teach that God vine side of Jesus, the immortal God-part did not
is immortal. (1Tim.6:16) This means that He can- really die. What we have then, is a situation in
not die. This immortality of God, is not a quality which God did not really make a sacrifice at Cal-
which He can put on and take off. It is an essen- vary, but rather created a being who paid the price
tial aspect of His being. His immortality is not like on His behalf. A most abominable and glaringly
that of unfallen angels, a conditional thing. In re- false idea.
ferring to the immortality of God we are speaking
of an absolute thing. He absolutely cannot, un- The truth is that Jesus, the Son of God, did
der any circumstances, die. truly die. Did pass into the unconscious, sense-
less, unknowing sleep of death. He did feel the
2
darkness of death, black and unfathomable steal- God. Not three. This one God is the Father. The
ing upon His soul when He prayed that the cup One who gave His Son to die. This is the testi-
might pass from Him. He did experience, truly, mony of the Scriptures over and over again (1
the agony and uncertainty of genuine separation Cor. 8:6; 1 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:5; 1 Cor. 15:24-
from God. He died, because He could die. He was 28).
mortal. He could die, because He is not the one
All the authority and power which belong to
and only God who “hath immortality”. This im-
God have been given to His Son (Col.2:9; Matt.
mortal one, “no man hath seen, not can see,” He
28:18). Yet, these do not belong to Jesus inher-
dwelleth “in the light which no man can approach
ently. They have been given to Him by God, (1
unto.” (1 Tim.6:16).
John 5:26; Col.1:19) and the day will come when
Jesus is a divine Being. There is no question the controversy is finally over and then the Son
of that. It is obvious that every Son takes the na- will be subject to the Father, that God may be all
ture of His Father, so if the nature of the father is in all (1 Cor. 15:28).
divine (having the qualities of God) then it is evi-
In closing, I would like to ask the question
dent that the Son also is divine. This is why John
again: “Did God’s Son really die for me?” How do
1:1 says:
you answer this question? This is the central point
“In the beginning was the word, and the word of the whole gospel. Undoubtedly, this point,
was with God (the God. gr.) and the word was above all others, is the focus of Satan’s attack.
God (divine).” When we see how these truths have been subtly,
but effectively nullified over the ages, it becomes
Yet, the word “God” also carries with it the
clear that Satan’s efforts have been highly suc-
idea of the one absolute, supreme Being in the
cessful.
universe. In this sense, there is only One who is

IS JESUS GOD’S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON?

The term, Only begotten is a transla- However, there is one other place in 11:17 and tried to use it as a key for inter-
tion of the Greek word “MONOGENES”. which the word is used and this is with ref- preting monogenes to mean something other
What does this word really mean? This erence to Abraham’s son Isaac. than to be born of. They state that in the
word is used a total of nine (9) times in the case of Isaac, it simply meant that he had a
Bible. Five times, it applies to Jesus and Heb.11:17 - “By faith Abraham, when he special unique place in the affections of
is translated as “only begotten.” Below, we was tried, offered up Isaac: Abraham, and therefore, that is what it
see how it is used in the other four in- and he that had received the means when referring to the relationship
stances: promises offered up his only between God and Jesus.
begotten son (monogenes).”
Luke 7:12 - “Now when he came nigh to What this would mean of course, is
the gate of the city, behold We deal with this reference separately, that Jesus is not actually the Son of God.
there was a dead man carried because in this case, Isaac was not actually He was not begotten of the Father. In other
out, the only son the only son born to Abraham. Abraham words, the Scriptures do not mean what
(monogenes) of his mother had another son, Ishmael, who had been they teach and we can-
and she was a widow.” born before Isaac. not accept the plain, ob-
Why then, is Isaac vious meaning of the
Luke 8:42 - “For he had one only called the only be- The Greek word MONOGENES means:
“only born, ie. sole - only (begotten word of God.
(monogenes) daughter, about gotten son of
twelve years of age, and she Abraham? It is not child).” This word comes from two greek Even if it were
lay a dying. difficult to see words, Monos and Genos. true that this is the way
why. Ishmael was Monos means: sole, or single; alone, only. the word is used in the
Luke 9:38 - “And behold, a man of the com-
not the son of Sa- Genos means: kin, offspring, stock, gen- single case of the rela-
pany cried out, saying, Mas-
rah, Abraham’s le- eration tionship between Isaac
ter, I beseech Thee, look upon
my son: for he is mine only
gitimate wife. The .
and Abraham, it is nev-
scriptures make it ertheless clear that in
child (monogenes).
plain that God’s plan was for the son of the majority of instances, this is not its
We will come to the other reference Abraham to be the offspring of both Abra- meaning. In seeking to decide on the mean-
in a moment. But first of all we must ask ham and Sarah, therefore God did not ac- ing of any word, we must look at the way
in the name of reason and good sense, what cept Ishmael as Abraham’s son. His word the word is normally used and let this de-
is the meaning of the word, monogenes in to Abraham was, “cast out the bondwoman cide the intent of the writer, bearing in mind
the scriptures quoted above? What are we and her son (Gal.4:30).” When God told the context in which it is used. When we
expected to understand from the use of the Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice on apply these rules to monogenes, its meaning is
word? Obviously, in each instance we are mount Moriah, He stated in carefully cho- plain.
being told that this was the ONLY child sen words, “take now thy son, THINE
BORN to that particular parent. There is ONLY SON whom thou lovest...”
(Gen.22:2) Address all inquiries to:
really very little room for misunderstand-
ing what the word means as it is used in David Clayton
the scriptures. It means, The only one born of.
In spite of this, some have pounced P.O. Box 23, Knockpatrick,
triumphantly on this verse in Hebrews Manchester, Jamaica W.I.
3
 Thou Hast Multiplied Thy Fornication ... (Ezek.16:29)
The following article is from the people "to come together and celebrate
Lincoln Journal Star
Campus Chronicle, The student forum
of Pacific Union College Saturday, October 21,1995 3C together, worship together, talk together,
enjoy together," he said. "So far as we
Convocation know, this is the first time anywhere this
kind of thing has been done."
A remarkable will focus Cost of the entire convocation is $95,
but people wishing to attend only a por-

week of prayer on baptism tion of the conference could negotiate a

lower fee, Davis said.
Baptism will be the theme at the Edward Cardinal Cassidy, president
W hile the rest of the world was dis
tracted by the pope's travels, rumors
about the future of an acquitted killer, and
Roots and Branches Convocation, Thurs-
day through Sunday at Union College,
sponsored by Interchurch Ministries of
of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for
Christian Unity, was scheduled to attend,
but at the last minute was sent by the
assorted earthquakes, hurricanes, and Nebraska. pope to Rumania. Monsignor John
cease-fires, something extraordinary was Speakers include William Cardinal
happening here in Angwin. A Catholic was
Radano, a staff member of the Pontifical
Keeler, archbishop of Baltimore and Council, will attend as his representa-
speaking for the week of prayer.
president of the National Conference of tive.
Brennan Manning is more than sim-
ply a Roman Catholic. He is also an ex-priest Catholic Bishops; the Rev. Michael A worship service at 7 p.m. at Col-
and a recovering alcoholic. As far as any- Kinnamon, dean of Lexington Theologi- lege View Seventh-day Adventist
one remembers, he is the first "non-Adven- cal Seminary in Kentucky; the Rev. Gayle Church, 4015 S. 49th St., with Keeler
tist" to be invited to take the pulpit for this Felton of Duke University Divinity speaking on "Baptism and the Commu-
special week. It may be a sign of PUC's School, and Brigalia Barn, general sec- nity," is open to the public. An offering
spiritual maturity that we recognize him as retary of the South Africa Council of will be taken.
a deeply committed brother in Christ. Churches. Music at that event and a concert Fri-
The event is the first in a three-year day evening will be provided by Bread
"As far as anyone series of annual convocations for layper- for the Journey, a Lutheran touring com-
remembers, he is the sons and clergy, said Daniel Davis, ex- pany from Minneapolis. A special con-
ecutive secretary of Interchurch Minis- cert by the Plymouth Brass will be held
first 'non-Adventist' tries of Nebraska. at 8 p.m. Saturday at First-Plymouth
to be invited to take More than 200 people from across Congregational Church, 2000 D St. Ad-
Nebraska and around the country are
pulpit for this expected to attend. Convocations in 1996
mission to the concert is $7.50 in ad-
vance, $9 at the door.
special week." and 1997 will focus on communion and For information, convocation regis-
ministry. Together with baptism, they tration or concert tickets, contact the In-
Manning likes to say – in the idiom of represent the three key ecumenical issues terchurch Ministries office by calling
old-time Southern Christians–"I was seized facing efforts at church cooperation and 476-3391. The deadline for convocation
by the power of a great affection." unity worldwide, Davis said. registration is Tuesday.
His message here at PUC is the one The convocation is an opportunity for
he preaches everywhere: "The love of
Christ, is beyond all knowledge, beyond
anything that we can intellectualize or imag-
ine. It is not a mild benevolence but a con-
suming fire. Jesus is so unbearably forgiv-
ing, so infinitely patient and so unendingly
OurSundayVisitor
THE COMPLETE CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER • VOLUME 84, NO. 36 JANUARY 7, 1996 • $ 1. 25
loving that he provides us with the re-
HEALTH VS. WEALTH
sources we need to live lives of gracious
response."
Some Seventh-day Adventists stu-
Adventist-Catholic hospitals align

T
dents will be stunned by this message, we wo Colorado health care providers, tion will allow them to continue their
predict. But Manning expects everyone, one Catholic and one Adventist, Christian mission in the face of health
even believers, to be staggered by the gift have joined forces to become one systems motivated mainly by profit.
of God's unconditional love. of the states largest health care systems Gary Susnara, president of the Sis-
and employers.
ters of Charity organization, said, "these
Together, the PorterCare Adventist for-profit organizations are committed to
Health System and Sisters of Charity Health
Services Colorado will have $1.3 billion in enhancing stockholder profits, whereas
“It is a backsliding church that less- combined gross revenues and approxi- we are committed to our mission of com-
ens the distance between itself and mately 12,000 employees. munity service."
the Papacy” The new organization, expected to be The Sisters of Charity facilities include
ST, Feb. 19, 1894 finalized in early 1996, will be unique in six hospitals or nursing homes in Denver,
“Quite often when a man thinks his the United States because it combines fi- six in Colorado Springs, two in Pueblo and
nances of two separate Christian health one each in Canon City and Florence.
mind is getting broader, it’s only his care systems. Portercare Adventist facilities include three
conscience stretching.” The companies say that their combina- hospitals in Denver.
selected
4