If you’ve read the New Testament much at all you’ve probably puzzled at times, at least briefly, over the significance of Jesus’ title, “The Son of God.” Does God have a son? What does that mean? You may have heard that it is a title that implies Jesus’ deity, but is that its only meaning? Is that even its first meaning? Does the term carry the same significance in Paul as it does in John? Or in Matthew? How does the Old Testament inform the meaning of this title, if at all? And whatever it means for Jesus to be called the Son of God, what does it mean, then, for us to be called sons of God?
Upon even a moment’s reflection it quickly becomes obvious that understanding the full significance of this term may involve a great deal of the whole Bible … and require a great deal of study. Still, you might be surprised at the degree of light that study will shed on the significance of Jesus as the Son of God.
Biblical Theology has come of age in our generation, and Crossway’s new “Short Studies in Biblical Theology” series was a great idea that will certainly prove helpful to bringing this rich field of study to the more popular level. This little volume is the first installment of what is sure to prove a popular series.
Graeme Goldsworthy has of course spent a lifetime teaching us how the Bible hangs together, and it is a treat to have him lead us patiently through the Scriptures and show us how the various “sonship” themes come together in Jesus in rich and significant ways, all packed into about 125 pages of text.
Table of Contents
Introduction
1 Thematic Studies: A Biblical-Theological Approach
2 Jesus the Son of God: The New Testament Testimony
3 Adam the Son of God: The Old Testament Testimony
4 Son of God and Sons of God
For Further Reading
General Index
Scripture Index
From the Publisher
The Short Studies in Biblical Theology series is designed to help readers see the whole Bible as a unified story culminating in Jesus Christ. Written by trusted biblical scholars, each volume traces an important topic through God’s Word – from Genesis to Revelation – and explores its significance for the Christian life.
In this volume, renowned Bible scholar Graeme Goldsworthy traces the theme of divine sonship from Adam, through the nation of Israel and King David, and ultimately to Jesus Christ – the “Son of God” par excellence.
Fred Zaspel