If the Gospel does not indicate any carnal relationship or sexual begetting, then what is the intended meaning of “Son of God” when it appears in the Gospel? 

© 2004 Joseph Cumming

The Gospel text which we are considering in this book frequently uses the term “Son of God,” and this has led to much puzzlement and unfortunate misunderstanding between Christian and Muslim brothers and sisters (athāra al-kathīr min al-tasā’ulāt wasū’ al-tafāhum mu’sif bayna al-ikhwa al-masī­iyyīn wa-l-muslimīn). Therefore it is very important that we seek to clarify what this term means in the Gospel, and also what it does not mean. 

God, blessed and exalted is he (tabāraka wa-taâālā), does not take a wife (lā yattakhidhu Ñā­iba) and does not sire children by a wife (wa-lā yunjibu awlādan minÑā­iba). He is highly exalted above that (sub­ānahū wa-taâālā âan dhālika). This idea is totally rejected (marfū tamāman) by Christians and Muslims alike (âalā sawā’). In this sense, the Gospel agrees that God does not beget, nor is he begotten, nor is there anyone like unto him (Allāh lam yalid wa-lam yūlad wa-lam yakun lahū kufwan a­ad).
 

If this is the case, if the Gospel does not indicate any carnal relationship or sexual begetting (lā yufīdu ayya âalāqa jasadiyya wa-lā ayya wilāda tanāsuliyya), then what is the intended meaning (al-maqÑūd) of the term “Son of God” when it appears in the Gospel?

NOTE: Fix transliteration

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