Comments on: Calvin, Psalm 2 and eternal generation http://psalterium.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/calvin-psalm-2-and-eternal-generation/ A blog dedicated to the Psalms Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:07:03 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Cody http://psalterium.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/calvin-psalm-2-and-eternal-generation/#comment-481 Cody Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:31:15 +0000 http://psalterium.wordpress.com/?p=500#comment-481 I would start by appealing to various Scriptures, for instance: “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God [or Son], he has revealed him” (John 1:18) John 5:26 "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself." Colossians 1:19 "For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell." It seems that Jesus is begotten not in the sense that He is made or born a human, but that He is the eternal Son of the Father, before time. Not in exactly the same way that we have sons, but something at least somewhat similar to it. The Son finds His life in the Father, who is the Head of the Son. If this were not so, John 5 would not say that the Father had GRANTED life to be in the Son. This is historical Orthodox Christianity, as even the Council of Nicea argues: "Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made." This is also implicit in Jesus being called "the Word," a Jewish concept in the Aramaic translations of Scripture (the Targums) of God using His Word (aramaic "Memra") to create the universe-- this Word comes from God and is identified with God, but is also a mediator between God and creation. The Word comes from the very being of God and is not created, but is an extension of God and submits to Him. I would start by appealing to various Scriptures, for instance:
“No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God [or Son], he has revealed him” (John 1:18)

John 5:26 “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.”

Colossians 1:19 “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell.”

It seems that Jesus is begotten not in the sense that He is made or born a human, but that He is the eternal Son of the Father, before time. Not in exactly the same way that we have sons, but something at least somewhat similar to it. The Son finds His life in the Father, who is the Head of the Son. If this were not so, John 5 would not say that the Father had GRANTED life to be in the Son. This is historical Orthodox Christianity, as even the Council of Nicea argues:
“Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.”

This is also implicit in Jesus being called “the Word,” a Jewish concept in the Aramaic translations of Scripture (the Targums) of God using His Word (aramaic “Memra”) to create the universe– this Word comes from God and is identified with God, but is also a mediator between God and creation. The Word comes from the very being of God and is not created, but is an extension of God and submits to Him.

]]> By: Richard http://psalterium.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/calvin-psalm-2-and-eternal-generation/#comment-479 Richard Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:47:38 +0000 http://psalterium.wordpress.com/?p=500#comment-479 Thanks for your comment Cody, how would you construct an argument in favour of eternal generation if Ps. 2:7 cannot be used as proof? For what it's worth, I would appeal to Ps. 2:7 using Rahner's formula. Thanks for your comment Cody, how would you construct an argument in favour of eternal generation if Ps. 2:7 cannot be used as proof? For what it’s worth, I would appeal to Ps. 2:7 using Rahner’s formula.

]]> By: Cody http://psalterium.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/calvin-psalm-2-and-eternal-generation/#comment-478 Cody Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:03:26 +0000 http://psalterium.wordpress.com/?p=500#comment-478 Calvin has an interesting point in relation to Psalm 2, but the doctrine of eternal generation is still very important and entirely Scriptural. I recently heard James White debate a Jehovah's Witness on the deity of Christ and because he would not proclaim eternal generation, he was standing on shaky ground and could not offer good responses to valid questions the JW had. Calvin has an interesting point in relation to Psalm 2, but the doctrine of eternal generation is still very important and entirely Scriptural. I recently heard James White debate a Jehovah’s Witness on the deity of Christ and because he would not proclaim eternal generation, he was standing on shaky ground and could not offer good responses to valid questions the JW had.

]]> By: Richard http://psalterium.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/calvin-psalm-2-and-eternal-generation/#comment-360 Richard Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:07:07 +0000 http://psalterium.wordpress.com/?p=500#comment-360 I knew I'd read it recently but I couldn't think where! I knew I’d read it recently but I couldn’t think where!

]]> By: Richard Zuelch http://psalterium.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/calvin-psalm-2-and-eternal-generation/#comment-359 Richard Zuelch Thu, 12 Feb 2009 03:24:31 +0000 http://psalterium.wordpress.com/?p=500#comment-359 On January 31, on my "Reiterations" blog, I posted the same comments by Calvin on Psalm 2:7. Great minds think alike! On January 31, on my “Reiterations” blog, I posted the same comments by Calvin on Psalm 2:7. Great minds think alike!

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