Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 128
? 121 one, then we must accept the other version as factual description. But if the appellation 'Son of God' is an idiomatic expression, then we have the added advantage of discovering the truth that the entire basis of atonement resting on the sacrifice of the Son of God turns out to be wholly unfounded. When we study the New Testament in this light, we come across the following words of the Messiah (peace be on him): "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. " (Matthew 5:9) Here the Messiah calls other men also Sons of God, besides himself. It shows that by being named as Son of God one does not become God. If by the mere fact of one being called a son, it follows that one must also accede to him the status of godhead, then as the above reference makes out, all those who make peace can lay claim to divinity and become entitled to be eligible for offering atonement. This reference however, does not only illuminate the point that there are many others besides the Messiah (peace be on him) who are sons of God the Great and the exclusive entitlement of the Messiah (peace be on him) to atone for others is nullified; yet another aspect presents itself into view. The Messiah says in the course of the above reference, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of