Did Jesus Redeem Mankind? — Page 137
? 130 And when the Messiah (peace be on him) is Son of God in the same sense as others before him were called sons of God, the Prophets of Israel and their devoted followers were as much entitled to offer atonement as was the Messiah (peace be on him). And if they were not entitled, neither was the Messiah (peace be on him); for the foundation of atonement rests on the Messiah's sonship of God. As I have already shown, Messiah is not the sole claimant to that honorific; hundreds of the Prophets of Israel and lacs of their faithful followers share the honour, according to the Bible. So far we have brought to bear proof in the light of the Bible against the thesis that since the Messiah claimed to be the 'Son of God', he therefore, offered atonement. He no doubt claimed to be the Son of God but in no sense other than that in which people before him were called sons of God and that at the same time, he claimed to be son of man. "SON OF GOD” A METAPHORIC EPRESSION Now we shall examine whether the real facts back Messiah's sonship of God or his sonship of man, and in order to determine the truth, we shall again turn to his own words.