You are a Son of God

Often times Bible translations will change this to something like “child,” or even “sons and daughters.” They do this to be more gender inclusive. But they are really diminishing who you really are. They lose sight of the theology behind terms like, Son of God, Son of Man, or Brothers in Christ.

Most people simply view these terms as Masculine dominance within Scripture. But the truth is that it is connecting us with Jesus Christ. These terms are used in different ways throughout scripture but always in connection with Jesus. Jesus is the Son of the Father. He is the one who takes our place. He is the one with whom we die. He is the one with whom we rise.

One of my favorite references in Ezekiel is that he is referred to as the Son of Man. Most commentators (I have read) say this is connected to his mortality. As the people are in Exile and the Angel shows him the Temple and the New Jerusalem, the Angel continues to emphasize his mortality. The fact that Ezekiel will die. So Jesus uses this same term for himself, while most scholarship still connect the Son of Man term to either Daniel or the Intertestamental writings. Son of Man both reflects one who is mortal and can die (Ezekiel). It also seems to reference the one who God will call forth to deliver his people (Daniel).

Similarly, Jesus does not place upon himself the term Son of God. He makes direct reference to his Father in Heaven, which would make him the Son. But the title Son of God tends to be found coming out of other people’s mouths, or even demons. Thus, we use this term to reference Jesus Christ as the one and only True Son of the Father who was begotten not made even of one substance with the Father.

So whether you are male or female, you can confess yourself to be mortal as a Christ himself, by calling yourself a Son of Man, or Son of Adam. As you have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection, you have become one with Christ. You have been made a member of the Body of Christ. If you are united with Christ then you are a Son of God. We do not use these terms to express a change in gender (like the Gospel of Judas), but to show our connectiveness to Christ our Lord.

Luther talks about the great reversal. This is an expression of the fact that Christ who knew no sin becomes sin in our place. Christ, who lived a perfect life full of righteousness and holiness, takes your place on the cross, and you get to take his place in eternity. So you may want to claim your specific gender and characteristics, but you again need to deny yourself and be clothed in Christ Jesus. He is the only Son of the Father, and so he makes you what he is. You are a Son of God.

Similarly, You are my brother in Christ. This is not to offer you maleness. This is to show our connection with Christ. You may want to think of it as Brothers and Sisters in Christ, but it may be better to think of this as you are fellow heirs in the place of Christ Jesus. We are all together in the body of Christ. We are fellow members in Christ. Therefore, we are fellow Sons of God and thus brothers in Christ Jesus our Lord. Thank you.

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