The Son and the Sons of God : a study in the elements of Paul's christological and soteriological thought
This thesis examines Paul's use of the divine Sonship conception in order to discover its place and significance in his Christological and soteriological thought. Because Paul relates the divine Sonship idea both to Christ and to Christians, this thesis naturally divides into two main parts: Part one studies the divine Sonship of Christ, and part two investigates the divine sonship of Christians. Our examination in part one reveals that Sonship characterizes Christ's relation with God at every stage of his existence from before he became a man through to his present position as universal sovereign. The divine Sonship which Paul attributes to Christ is of fundamental importance for understanding the unique roles which Christ plays in creation and redemption. In particular, Paul's soteriology is inconceivable without the supposition of the divine Sonship of Christ. Paul's own belief in the divine Sonship of the man Jesus of Nazareth arose through the revelation he received at his conversion and call. Because of this experience, the Son of God became the content of Paul's Gospel. In part two we show that Paul's believer sonship conception was in continuity with his Jewish heritage and the teaching tradition associated
Wanamaker, C. A.
Philosophy
The Son and the Sons of God : a study in the elements of Paul's christological and soteriological thought. This thesis examines Paul's use of the divine Sonship conception in order to discover its place and significance in his Christological and soteriological thought. Because Paul relates the divine Sonship idea both to Christ and to Christians, this thesis naturally divides into two main parts: Part one studies the divine Sonship of Christ, and part two investigates the divine sonship of Christians. Our examination in part one reveals that Sonship characterizes Christ's relation with God at every stage of his existence from before he became a man through to his present position as universal sovereign. The divine Sonship which Paul attributes to Christ is of fundamental importance for understanding the unique roles which Christ plays in creation and redemption. In particular, Paul's soteriology is inconceivable without the supposition of the divine Sonship of Christ. Paul's own belief in the divine Sonship of the man Jesus of Nazareth arose through the revelation he received at his conversion and call. Because of this experience, the Son of God became the content of Paul's Gospel. In part two we show that Paul's believer sonship conception was in continuity with his Jewish heritage and the teaching tradition associated
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