What has changed us in 55 years?!

I believe one of the problems, Barb, is that in the early days we "Jesus Only" folks were clearly identified as different, not by us but by them (the trinitarians). We didn't have any problem maintaining our distinctives in TRUE doctrines of the mighty God in Christ. The same was actually true among the various trinitarian groups as well... they were very distinct and proud of their distinctives and they had no problem saying "We are right and have THE truth!!"

Then, a few years ago, the ecumenical movement began and the lines were intentionally blurred, some would say by God, some would say by the devil, and he distinctives were lost. They bought into the Rodney King version of the gospel and truth.. "Can't we just all get along?"!

This has, in my opinion, resulted in an uprising among us to maintain our distinctives lest we get swallowed up into the mass of mess that is protestant denominationalism and become just another of the multitude of mealy mouthed mimes of popular cult philosophy... having no distinctives and no power of God.

When that happened, I believe much emphasis was placed on being doctrinally correct even in the songs we sing. I have sang the songs you have referenced and I have sang them in the light and the understanding of the revelation of the mighty God in Christ. That said, I now sing the Gaither song, "God became a son, his name is Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive...". I would not serve a God who offered another, separate and apart from himself, to suffer die for me. God became flesh and dwelt among us to provide us the kinsman redeemer, the perfect lamb, the final sacrifice of blood.

I have no problem at all with the sonship or the references to the son of God. I do have a problem when he is referenced as eternal, separate, or 1/3 of yet all of God.

Fire away... this is just my view of the questions you posed.