Final answer:
Jesus being the sent Son of God is central to Christian theology, as it underscores the offer of spiritual salvation and eternal life through his sacrifice. This belief sets Christianity apart from Judaism, which awaits a geopolitical messiah, and from Islam, which reveres Jesus as a prophet but not divine. The claim of Jesus's divine sonship uniquely shapes Christian doctrine and its historical development.
Step-by-step explanation:
From the perspective of Christian theology, Jesus being the sent Son of God has profound implications. According to the gospels, Jesus's mission on Earth as the Son of God entailed preaching a message of salvation and forgiveness, setting the foundation for Christianity. His death by crucifixion and subsequent resurrection are central to Christian beliefs, as they signify the redemption and potential for eternal life offered to humankind. Early Christians and Apostle Paul emphasized Jesus's messianic role, framing the liberation he offered as spiritual, which differed from the political liberation expected by many Jews.
In promoting spiritual salvation over temporal political change, Jesus transformed the notion of the messiah within Christian thought. Christians view Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecies, the anointed one to bring salvation—not just to the Jews but to all humanity. Jesus's resurrection and ascension represent the promise of resurrection and life after death for believers.
The implication of Jesus as the Son of God extends beyond Christian doctrine, contrasting with Jewish and Islamic perspectives. Jews reject Jesus as the messiah since they await a messiah with a geopolitical role, and Muslims honor Jesus as a prophet but deny his divinity and crucifixion. Therefore, Jesus's alleged divine sonship remains a foundational belief that defines Christianity's divergence from Judaism and Islam.