Goldsworthy, Graeme. The Son of God and the New Creation. Short Studies in Biblical Theology 1. Wheaton: Crossway, 2015. 127pp excluding end matter.
Summary and Critique
Son of God is a solid introduction to the theme ‘Son of God.’ Goldsworthy adheres to his method as put forth in chapter 1. Although most evangelicals may expect Goldsworthy to focus on ‘Son of God’ as referring to Jesus’ divinity, Goldsworthy surprises the reader by showing that more often than not the term does not refer to Jesus as the divine Son of God, although Goldsworthy admits it does in places, such as Paul’s letters. Rather, the term has significance for every Christian in that it refers to Jesus perfectly fulfilling the roles we need to fulfill in order to have a good relationship with God, and which we can through faith in Jesus (Jesus as the perfect Adam [human], the perfect Israel [people of God], and the perfect Davidic King [representative of God’s people]).
Son of God is one of the more complex and weightier books in the SSBT series. I would recommend other books in the series before this one, such as Covenant or The New Creation. Once a person has a grasp on the storyline of Scripture and on what biblical theology is, Son of God will be easier to understand and grasp. For those with a seminary or Bible College degree, Son of God is a great book to expand one’s understanding of Jesus and the unity of Scripture.
Summary of Each Chapter
Chapter 1: Thematic Studies—A Biblical-Theological Approach
Goldsworthy sets forth the thesis of this monograph: “the Son of God is the author and mediator of a new creation” (18, italics original).
This chapter also explains the goals and methodology of biblical theology, which is helpful for understanding the entire series, and applies the methodology to his study of the theme ‘Son of God.’
Goldsworthy favours a “gospel-driven” or “gospel-centered” approach to biblical theology. His specific approach for studying the theme of Son of God is as follows (25):
- “Make preliminary contact with the chosen theme in the New Testament as it relates to Jesus and his ministry.”
- “Identify any ways that Jesus, the apostles, and the New Testament authors relate this theme to its beginnings and its developing background in the Old Testament.”
- Trace the development of the theme along the lines of redemptive history in the Old Testament.”
Chapter 2: Jesus the Son of God—The New Testament Testimony
This chapter covers what the New Testament says about Jesus as Son of God. Matthew’s use of Son of God does not refer to Jesus’ deity, but to Jesus as true Israel (Matt 2:15; 3:17), as the new Adam who has dominion over creation (8:29; 14:33), and as king of Israel (16:15–16). Mark shares the same perspective as Matthew (43).
Luke uses Son of God to show that Jesus is the descendant of Israel and Adam and that Jesus fulfills the roles of Israel and Adam where they failed (Luke 1:32–35; 3:22; page 44).
John, in his Gospel, is clear that Son of God refers to Jesus as both God (sent from above) and man (linked to the covenants of Abraham and Israel) (49).
In Paul’s letters, Son of God can refer to Jesus as the human descendant of David (Rom 1:3–4; pg 50). It also refers to Jesus as God come in the flesh (50–51; many passages listed).
The book of Hebrews is clear that the Son of God is the incarnate God, “the Word of God who is the agent of creation and its sustainer” (53).
Chapter 3: Adam the Son of God—The Old Testament Testimony
The term Son of God is used of three groups/people in the Old Testament: Adam, Israel, and the Davidic Kings. These three are to exercise dominion over God’s creation in the ‘new creation’: “God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule” (58, italics original). But all of God’s sons failed. Adam failed by sinning and being kicked out of Eden. Israel (collectively God’s son) failed by committing idolatry and was kicked out of the promised land. The kings, who represent God’s people, failed by committing idolatry and were kicked out of the promised land.
Goldsworthy summarizes the term ‘Son of God’ in the Old Testament as follows: Son of God means the people of God in God’s kingdom/land with God, exercising dominion over that kingdom/land (69; 86–88). God’s people in God’s land with God.
Chapter 4: Son of God and Sons of God
This chapter focuses on the Christian’s “involvement with the reality of our being sons of God through faith in the Son of God” (81–82). Jesus as Son of God primarily refers to Jesus as the human descendant of Adam, Israel, and David who succeeded where they all failed. Jesus lived the perfect life and is living with God in God’s place. Jesus is The Representative of all God’s people. Those who believe in Jesus have Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, dominion, and relationship with God imputed to them! Christians are to God what Jesus is to God through faith in Jesus and reception of the Holy Spirit.
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