The Sun Of God

A Christmas Reflection Series: The Son of God — History, Ethics, and Moral Responsibility

Today, the phrase “Son of God” is often heard only in theological terms.
In the first century, it was anything but neutral.

Long before it became a Christian confession, “Son of God” was already a title in circulation—used by empires, rulers, and political systems to legitimize authority.

Roman emperors were publicly described as sons of gods.
After Augustus, this language became routine. It signaled divine favor, unquestionable legitimacy, and the right to rule.

Power flowed downward. Obedience flowed upward.

Within Jewish tradition, however, the phrase meant something very different.

“Son of God” was not about divine lineage. It was a role—a moral designation. Israel itself was called God’s “son.” Kings, prophets, and righteous leaders were described this way when they were understood to be aligned with God’s justice, mercy, and covenantal responsibility.

It was a title of obligation, not dominance.

When Jesus was called “Son of God,” these two worlds collided.

To Jewish listeners, it pointed toward a life aligned with divine values—care for the poor, justice for the vulnerable, humility before God.

To Roman ears, the phrase carried a far more dangerous implication: a challenge to the empire’s monopoly on divine authority.

This is why the title mattered.
And this is why it could not remain merely symbolic.

Jesus did not claim authority through force, bloodline, or military power. He redefined authority as service. Legitimacy as moral coherence. Power as responsibility toward the least protected.

That redefinition was not abstract. It was destabilizing.

In The Son of God, I explore how a term used by empire to sanctify domination was transformed into a call for humility, justice, and moral accountability.

Tomorrow, I’ll look at why Jesus’ vision of authority—rooted in service rather than control—remains so difficult for systems of power to absorb.

For those interested, the book is currently available as a holiday e-book.

Sometimes a single phrase carries enough weight to expose the fault lines of an entire civilization.

This reflection draws from historical and Jewish-Christian scholarship explored in The Son of God, currently available as a holiday e-book.