God's Only Son (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

God's Only Son (Sadler's Church Teacher's Manual)

God's Only Son is Section XVII of The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction, Michael Ferrebee Sadler's 1872 expansion of the Church Catechism in question-and-answer form.

Summary

This section treats the Creed's confession that Jesus Christ is God's only Son. Sadler emphasizes the uniqueness of Christ's sonship and its importance for worship and salvation.

Sadler's Text

Sadler's catechetical treatment of this topic is anchored in the statement, "No: God is by His very nature the Father, and so must have a true Son from all eternity." He further explains the section by saying, "Yes: unless we believe that, being the only begotten, He is truly God, we cannot believe in His redemption, for God challenges the work of redemption or salvation as His work."

Theological Themes

• Divine sonship
• Eternal generation
• Christ's deity
• Saving love

Scripture References

The following references are representative biblical texts used or implied in this section of Sadler's catechetical exposition:

• John 3:16-18
• John 5:18, 23
• John 17:5
• Colossians 1:17
• Hebrews 1:2
• 1 John 4:10

Anglican Context

This section belongs to Sadler's exposition of the baptismal promise to believe the articles of the Christian faith. It is especially connected with the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the use of the creeds in Anglican public worship. Sadler's treatment reflects nineteenth-century Church of England catechesis and should be read as a historical Anglican source alongside current provincial formularies and catechetical resources.

See Also

• The Church Teacher's Manual of Christian Instruction
• Apostles' Creed
• Nicene Creed
• Church Catechism
• Anglican Doctrine