Before we begin this series, “Jesus, is He God?” I would like to share why I was inspired to write this. I have been working with young adults for many years and this has been the most commonly asked question.
As we explore and address different world views of Christology, I would like to urge you to look to what the scripture says, as some critics who call themselves “Christians” continue to twist the truth about Jesus Christ. They make false claims that appear to be true to those who do not know the Word of God. Some claim that they have more knowledge or revelation about who Jesus is than any original Apostles of the New Testament; in result, they put themselves above the written Word of God. While others teach false doctrine out of ignorance or lack of knowledge, others do so for financial or personal gain. Whatever reason it may be, the Word of God warns us:
“Such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ.”
– 2 Corinthians 11:13
LIBERALISM:
Modern Liberalism: Another major movement in the history of the doctrine of Christ can be observed in the introduction by Ritschl and Schleier-macher of the concept that the language of Scripture should be studied for its spiritual intent, namely, the ethical and theological implications rather than the explicit statements of the Bible. This led to contemporary liberalism of the twentieth century which assumes that the Bible cannot be taken seriously in its historical or factual content, but considers Scripture only a means of gaining spiritual insights. Obviously this point of view often resulted in the rejection of the full deity of Christ, the doctrine of the Trinity, and substitutionary atonement as well as questions concerning the bodily resurrection of Christ and His bodily second coming.
Christian Liberal view of Jesus:
- Was a good teacher and man
- Waters down the words to avoid offense
- Promises us earthly treasure
- Sends all to heaven, dismisses hell
- Minimizes need for repentance of sins
- Gives you health, wealth & happiness
- Loved & accepted by the world
- Overlooks sin & never corrects you
- Gives suggestions not commands
- Promises our best life now
- Promotes unity & tolerance at all costs
- Serves your will above God’s will
- Exalts signs, wonders & mysticism above God’s Word
- Exalts emotion, experience & opinion above sound teaching
- Encourages you to love yourself first & gratify all your fleshly desires
“Jesus was a great moral teacher, but was not God.”
RESPONSE: Jesus is fully God.
Among many statements that communicate His position as God, Jesus said,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6
Apologist C. S. Lewis gave his now-classic response to this “Great teacher/not God” argument: “A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
Biblical view of Jesus:
- Born as God almighty in the flesh ~ John 1:1-14
- Loves us enough to speak the truth ~ John 4:1-38
- Point us toward enteral treasure ~ Matthew 6:19-21
- Warns of sin, judgment & hell ~ Matthew 5:29
- Commands repentance of sins ~ Matthew 4:17
- Gives you salvation, hope, peace and joy ~ John 15:9-17
- Hated & despised by the world ~ John 3:18-21
- Commands with divine authority ~ Mark 5:1-20
- Says to expect persecution in his name ~ Matthew 10:22
- Brings division when necessary ~ Luke 12:49-56
- Exalts God the Father’s will ~ John 6:38
- Warnings of false signs & wonders; magnifies God’s Word ~ Matthew 24:24
- Demands that emotion, experience & opinion conform to sound teaching ~ Matthew 23:1-39
- Commands you to deny yourself & be willing to lay down your life for God ~ Matthew 16:24
“The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’ Then Jesus declared, ‘I who speak to you am he.’ ” – John 4:25–26
Podcast in Russian ? Подкаст на Русском
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
Walvoord, J. F. . Jesus Christ Our Lord
Hunt, J.. Biblical Counseling Keys Is the Deity of Christ Defendable?
Ryrie, C. C. Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth
