Objection · Case 04 · The Trinity

The Father “has given” judgment to the Son. Given, not shared by nature. Isn’t that delegation, and doesn’t delegation imply the delegate is subordinate?

One objection from the free evidence repository at apologetics.pro.

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Response

The verse does say given, and John’s Gospel consistently portrays the Son as receiving from the Father; the Trinity affirms that, which is what eternally begotten means. What the verse adds is the purpose clause: that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Delegated agents in Jewish thought are never to be honored just as God is honored, because that would be idolatry. The given language and the equal honor language sit in the same sentence, and the tension between them is the central data of this case, not something to explain away.

About this exhibit

This objection is to The Father gives all judgment to the Son, John 5:22-23.

Jesus says “the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,” and states the purpose: that everyone should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Final judgment is a divine…

Under Claim 04: The New Testament gives Jesus two roles the Old Testament assigns to God alone: final judge of all people and the source of life.