Lee Irons explains the doctrine of the eternal generation/filiation of the Son, and the eternal procession/spiration of the Holy Spirit. I don't dogmatically hold to these doctrines, but I do lean toward them. They make some metaphysical and philosophical sense. As well as having some Biblical warrant. Though, not as strong as Dr. Irons claims. His inferences from Scripture aren't necessary, even if they might be likely/probable. Western Trinitarian Christianity has traditionally held to these doctrines, even though some modern Protestants reject them in order to affirm that Christ and the Spirit are themselves also autotheos as the Father is.
I don't take a dogmatic stance on the meaning of monogenes . I'm open to either interpretation. However, it is interesting that the tide of scholarly consensus is slowly turning back to the traditional interpretation.
