Hebrews 1 and Psalms 2, taken together with several passages including Genesis 1, John 1, 1 John 1, Revelation 19 (Jesus the "Word of God") and Philippians 2 lead me to conclude (1) that Jesus' role as God's son had a beginning (his earthly birth) and (2) that Jesus as God's son before his earthly birth creates conflicts with the concept of eternity (which came first, father or son) and authority (father is in authority over the son). Is this right?'
In the Bible -- as in other ancient Near Eastern literature -- a man may "become the son" of someone else through adoption. But this can also take place when he accedes to the throne. "Today I have become your Father." See Psalm 2.
Jesus acceded to the throne on his ascension (see Acts 2). In a way, he was declared to be God's "Son" -- his regent, his equal -- in his ascension. This also is confirmed in Romans 1 -- "by the resurrection." It is not so much that Jesus became God's Son at some point in time, as that he is declared to be God's Son through his resurrection and ascension.
Jesus was God's Son even before he was incarnate. This is also congruent with what the early church taught. You might want to study some of the patristics (Ante-Nicene Fathers) and search the topic. Of course, son follows father in the normal sequence; but in eternity the temporal means little, only the logical. Analogy: The book is on the table. Naturally we assume the table was there first. But not necessarily! Father and Son could both have been there at the same time. Think about this.
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