Insights Through Questions
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
During the past weeks Theology 101 has sought to glean truths about the Bible from various images by which Scripture refers to itself. This week we turn to questions raised in Bible passages and the truths conveyed in the answers.
If the question is carefully framed, then the answer given can convey essential theological truth. A good point of beginning is a famous question Jesus put to religious leaders in Matthew 22:41–42: “While the Pharisees were gathered together Jesus asked them, saying, What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?”
This question calls for thinking about the person of Christ. Those who knew Him or knew of Him might have given a number of answers. The reply could be, “Is this not the carpenter’s son?” (Matt. 13:55)
God in flesh
While not biologically accurate it would have been true in the sense that David’s lineage was extended through Jesus as set forth in Matthew 1:1. The biological answer to the question could have been that He is Mary’s son, as set forth in the Christmas story that “she was found with child of the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 1:18).
In the historical or genealogical sense the answer to this week’s question could have been, “Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” (Matt. 1:1).
However, when Jesus posed the question to the Pharisees the answer He sought was that He is God’s Son. The correct answer to His question immediately introduces the truth of the divinity of Christ. He is fully God as the eternal second person of the Trinity, God come in the flesh.
The correct answer to this week’s question also requires the doctrine of the incarnation since the divine Son of God possessed a body of flesh and bone. As a result Christians are right on target in declaring the truth of Colossians 2:9: “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the godhead bodily.”
True and trustworthy
When we confess Him to be God’s Son what are we to get from the answer? Among the truths that impact our lives is that if He is God’s Son then His message is of utter importance. When He spoke He uttered words that are true and trustworthy.
Additionally if Christ is indeed God’s Son, His mission is of unparalleled significance. His mission included revealing God and inviting sinners to become children of God. Given such significance, His parting commission to His followers must be taken seriously. We are to seek to make Him known to all people everywhere.
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