What does 'begotten' mean in the context of John 3:16 and 4:9? According to the dictionary we have only two meanings:
- A. Procreate or generate offspring.
- B. Cause to be produced.
We have a logical issue in relation to Jesus' eternal nature. If A, then he is not eternal, and did not exist before bring born to Mary. If B, he is a caused entity and therefore did not exist before being caused to exist, and hence not eternal again.
Better minds may have an answer to this conundrum.