Is Jesus a created being? Definition and Central Question The question “Is Jesus a created being?” arises from interpretations of biblical texts that may seem to indicate Jesus was formed at some point in time. However, a comprehensive study of Scripture, especially in the original languages and in light of historical Christian teaching, shows that He is not a created being but is instead the eternal Son who shares in the very nature and existence of God. Below follows an in-depth Bible Encyclopedia / Topical Bible entry addressing this question from multiple angles. 1. Key Scriptural Foundations “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.” This passage points to Christ (the “Word”) as eternally present with God, emphasizing that all created things owe their existence to Him. If all that is created has been made through Him, it is logically inconsistent that He Himself would be among those created. “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Here, “firstborn” refers to rank or preeminence, a Hebraic idiom denoting status rather than indicating a moment of creation. Since everything was created “through Him and for Him,” He predates all creation. “But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word.” The Son is not merely a messenger. He is portrayed as sharing God’s very nature and actively sustaining the universe, underscoring His divinity rather than a created origin. 2. Understanding “Firstborn” and “Begotten” Terminology In the New Testament, two specific words often cause confusion regarding the deity of Jesus: “firstborn” (Greek: prōtotokos) and “only begotten” (Greek: monogenēs). - Firstborn (prōtotokos): This term can describe one who holds the privilege or authority of a firstborn son without necessarily indicating birth origin. As Psalm 89:27 demonstrates, God says of David, “I will appoint him as My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.” David was not literally the first child in his family; “firstborn” here represents elevated status. - Only begotten (monogenēs): In John 3:16, Jesus is called God’s “one and only Son” or “only begotten Son.” This conveys uniqueness rather than a created status. The context shows that Jesus is uniquely God’s Son in His eternal relationship, not in a creaturely sense. This linguistic and cultural context clarifies how the New Testament writers referred to Jesus’s divine status, not asserting any point-in-time creation. 3. Eternal Nature and Preexistence “Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am!’” In this statement, Jesus uses the phrase “I am,” which echoes the divine name revealed in Exodus 3:14. By stating He existed before Abraham and employing divine self-reference, Jesus clearly identifies Himself with the eternal nature of God. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.” The prophecy states that the coming Messiah (identified in Matthew 2:4–6 as Jesus) has origins “from the days of eternity,” underscoring His eternal existence rather than a point of creation. 4. Historical and Manuscript Evidence Ancient Christian manuscripts—such as those found in the papyri collections and Dead Sea Scrolls referencing messianic expectations—reinforce the consistent teaching that the Messiah has divine attributes. Notably, the wealth of New Testament manuscripts, analyzed intensively by textual critics, points to the reliability of passages like John 1:1–3, Colossians 1:15–17, and Hebrews 1:2–3. Scholars versed in these texts (e.g., Dr. James White, Dr. Dan Wallace) have highlighted the robust manuscript support that conveys Jesus’s eternal kingdom title. Archaeological discoveries, such as early church inscriptions and liturgical fragments, reveal that from the very first centuries of the church, believers worshiped Jesus as fully divine. This consistent pattern of worship and Christological confession argues against any notion that He was considered a mere creation of God. 5. Philosophical and Theological Clarifications From a philosophical perspective, a being who created everything else cannot have come into existence by the same means as His creation. The logical sequence insists that the creative agent stands outside the act of creation. As various theologians (e.g., William Lane Craig, Josh McDowell, and Lee Strobel) have argued, Christ’s eternal divine nature harmonizes with the concept that He transcends time and space. Additionally, the early Christian creeds, such as the Nicene Creed (AD 325), clarified that Jesus was “begotten, not made,” strongly rejecting the idea of Jesus as a created entity. These early formulations were an articulation of the New Testament authors’ teaching and were based on careful scrutiny of biblical testimony. 6. Colossians 1:15—Addressing “Firstborn” Directly One of the most common proof-texts for the claim that Jesus is created is Colossians 1:15. Interpreted out of context, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,” might appear to support it. However, the immediate next verse and overall context emphasize that Jesus is the creating agent, placing Him above every created thing. The Greek term prōtotokos shapes the argument: rather than “first-created,” it linguistically conveys primacy and supremacy. Renowned New Testament scholars confirm this nuance, also explained in standard lexicons, demonstrating that the immediate context “all things were created through Him and for Him” militates against a notion of Jesus as part of creation. 7. The Role of the Resurrection From a theological and historical standpoint, the resurrection of Jesus is central. Credible research, championed by scholars such as Dr. Gary Habermas, presents the resurrection as a historical event attested by multiple lines of evidence. Christians have historically seen the resurrection as God’s vindication of Jesus’s claims to divinity. A mere created being cannot conquer death in such a manner. The empty tomb and post-resurrection appearances demonstrate He has power over life and death, a power that according to Scripture belongs only to God (Revelation 1:17–18). Such divine prerogative argues strongly in favor of His eternal nature. 8. Intelligent Design Perspective In discussions of creation science and intelligent design (championed by researchers like Dr. Stephen Meyer and Ken Ham), the emphasis falls on the evidence of design from the macroscopic universe to the microscopic genetic code. Jesus is consistently identified in the New Testament as the One through whom all things were created (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). If He Himself were created, the biblical language of Him as the Designer and Sustainer of all reality would be theologically contradictory. 9. Testimony of Prophecy and Fulfillment Messianic prophecies, found in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament narratives, point to the Messiah as both divine and eternal (Isaiah 9:6). The fact that Jesus fulfills these prophecies (analyzed by researchers such as Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel in their respective works) reinforces that He is not merely a temporal or created being. Rather, He uniquely occupies the place of the everlasting Savior. 10. Conclusion and Summary Throughout Scripture, Jesus is clearly shown to be eternal, uncreated, and equal in nature to the Father. While He took on human flesh in His incarnation (John 1:14), the biblical witness, supported by historical manuscript evidence and centuries of Christian confession, maintains that He did not come into existence at that point; rather, He continues His role as Creator and Sustainer of all. The term “firstborn” should be understood in its theological and cultural context, indicating rightful authority and preeminence, not a point of origin in time. Thus, the unequivocal answer to whether Jesus is a created being is: No. He is, in the words of Scripture, “the Alpha and the Omega … who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8). Consequently, He stands outside the category of created beings, revealing His position as the divine, eternal Son of God. This vantage point informs the hope offered in the gospel: because He is the eternal Son, His redemptive power is certain, and through faith in Him, we find reconciliation and the fulfillment of our ultimate purpose—to glorify God forever. |
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