[Forest Keeper]

Thus, there is not a time when the Son does not exist that the Father does exist. Begotten means that the Logos, the Wisdom of the Father, was brought into existence out of the essence of the Father. The Logos is "God from God, as Light from Light, true God from true God". The Logos was begotten, not created. Created refers to something in time and generally does not refer to a COMPLETE and TOTAL passing of all qualities to the other.

OK, I think I'm starting to get where you are coming from now, thanks. It's just weird to think of John 3:16 in such a completely different light. I still can't figure out the many, many translations that say "one and only Son". Doesn't that sound like it's referring to the human side? I'm still not sure, but I think I understand you all better, thanks again.

[kosta50]

I still can't figure out the many, many translations that say "one and only Son"

The "sonship" of the Word comes from the one way begetting. There is no other Word, hence the only-begotten or "one and only."

I think you are confused because of anthropomorphism of the words Father and Son.