The idea of God not having a start is a complex theological concept, particularly within Christianity. Here's a breakdown of the reasoning and how it relates to Jesus:
Understanding God's Eternal Nature:
* The Concept of Timelessness: Many theological traditions (especially those influenced by classical philosophy) posit that God exists outside of time. Time, in this view, is a creation of God, not a constraint upon God. Therefore, concepts like "before" or "start" don't apply to God in the same way they apply to created beings within time.
* Self-Existent: God is often described as "aseitic," meaning self-existent. He doesn't depend on anything else for His existence. Everything else depends on God. If God had a "start," He would depend on something prior to Him, which would contradict the idea of God as the ultimate source and foundation of all reality.
* Necessary Existence: Philosophers and theologians sometimes argue that God's existence is "necessary," meaning He couldn't *not* exist. His very essence implies existence. Contingent beings (like humans) could exist or not exist; their existence depends on factors outside themselves.
How This Relates to Jesus:
* The Trinity: In Christian theology, God is understood as a Trinity: Father, Son (Jesus), and Holy Spirit. They are all distinct persons but one God. This is a crucial, but challenging, doctrine.
* Jesus as the Eternal Word (Logos): The Gospel of John refers to Jesus as the "Word" (Logos) who was with God in the beginning and *was* God (John 1:1-3). This suggests that Jesus, as the Son, shares in the eternal nature of the Godhead. He wasn't created *ex nihilo* (out of nothing) at a point in time. Instead, He eternally exists *with* the Father.
* Incarnation: The Human Birth of Jesus: The earthly birth of Jesus (His incarnation) is a *historical event* within time. This is when the eternal Son of God took on human flesh. So, while Jesus as a human had a start in Bethlehem, *Jesus as the Son of God is eternally begotten of the Father.* It's a relationship, not a temporal creation.
Addressing the Apparent Paradox:
* Analogy and Limitation: Human language and thought are inherently limited when trying to describe the infinite and eternal. We often rely on analogies, which inevitably fall short. The language of "Father" and "Son," while helpful, can be misleading if taken too literally in a temporal sense.
* Mystery: Ultimately, the Trinity and the eternal nature of God involve elements of mystery. Theologians acknowledge that some aspects of God's being are beyond complete human comprehension.
In Summary:
* God is believed to be eternal and timeless, not subject to the constraints of time like creation is.
* Jesus, as the Son, is understood to share in that eternal nature as part of the Trinity.
* The incarnation (the human birth of Jesus) is a specific event in time, but does not define the entirety of who Jesus is. He is, in Christian belief, eternally the Son of God.
The concept is complex and has been debated for centuries. Different theological perspectives exist, but the core idea is that God, in His very essence, is beyond the limitations of time and creation.