Is Jesus God?

We start today without any countdown, no flashing lights, just a guy in a suit with sunglasses. He jokingly mentions he's wearing the suit in honor of President-elect Joe Biden, soon to be the 46th president of the United States. Before Biden and Kamala Harris come after him for all the jokes, he dresses like their favorite president.

Referring to Sleepy Joe

There's a humorous exchange about whether to call Biden "President" or "Sleepy Joe," highlighting the informal ways people nickname political figures, just like Trump is sometimes called "Orange Cheeto."

Introducing the Big Question

Our topic tonight, a big one suggested by Steve, is not something with an easy conclusion. The core question: Is Jesus God? It’s a robust theological question for deep thinkers. For most evangelical Christians, however, the standard answer is straightforward.

Delving Into Theological Nuance

The conversation takes a personal turn when one participant recounts how his mother emphasized the importance of getting this question right. Who should start the discussion? The mantle falls on Ethan, prompting a deeper dive into the topic.

Exploring the Trinitarian Perspective

The discussion dives into Trinitarian views. There's the idea that Jesus was both God and human, possessing two distinct natures. His godly nature is complete, as is his human nature, both existing at 100 percent within one person. Hebrews is cited, saying Jesus learned obedience through his suffering, raising questions about the divine and human sides.

Jesus: Conception to Resurrection

The debate centers on whether Jesus was God from conception, through birth, life, deathSeparation from God—now overcome. Physical death remains, but it no longer separates us from life with God., and resurrection, similar to God the Father, or if there is a distinct difference. There’s consensus on a distinction between the Father and the Son in terms of person and roles.

Roles within the Trinity

Reflecting on creation, the Father is seen as the creator, Jesus as the savior, and the Holy Spirit as the guide in daily life. This leads to discussions on the Trinity: how these parts interconnect, whether they are separate entities or exist in co-eternality.

This complex question leaves room for more discussion, but provides a crucial examination of theological beliefs for those pondering the nature of Jesus within the framework of the Trinity.

Exploring the Divinity and Humanity of Jesus

The nature of Jesus and his divinity is a topic that often sparks complex discussions and raises numerous questions. When considering Jesus as "God with us," one must clarify certain aspects, especially for those who do not identify as Trinitarians. Typically, if one does not believe Jesus was entirely God-with-us as traditionally stated, they might face questioning about their stance on Trinitarian beliefs. However, it's essential to separate these theological standpoints for a more focused discussion on Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus as God?

Was Jesus, born of a woman in Nazareth, God? The question becomes complicated when considering if God can be tempted, as scripture states God cannot. Furthermore, does God know everything, and did Jesus have this omniscience? It appears there may be a divide between Jesus's divine knowledge and his human experience.

The Nature of Jesus’s Knowledge

If Jesus truly was God incarnate, he would presumably know everything. Yet, it seems there was a part of him that did not possess complete divine knowledge. This raises the possibility that by taking on human qualities, Jesus accepted certain limitations inherent in human nature, including a lack of omniscience.

Jesus: God in the Flesh?

So, was Jesus God if he was wrapped in a "sub-God" form? Perhaps Jesus carried a part of God's essence, embodying the Word of God made flesh. But if we look at Jesus merely as the carpenter's son from Nazareth, would those around him have recognized him as God, or simply as a prophet inspired by divine presence? Historically, Evangelicals assert that Jesus was God throughout his life, from the cradle to the cross, yet this assertion often lacks nuanced explanations about Jesus’s human limitations.

Reconsidering the 100% God, 100% Man Doctrine

Many teachings emphasize Jesus as being 100% God and 100% man. However, this doctrine simplifies a complex intersection of divinity and humanity. The reality may be more nuanced, akin to a 50/50 blend, considering the limitations of human nature Jesus took on. Despite this belief being labeled heretical by some, it opens the door for discussion on how the spirit of God operated within him in concert with his human experiences.

Understanding the Incarnation

The proposal of Jesus being both fully divine and fully human doesn't always account for the human experiences and knowledge limitations he displayed. This dual nature isn’t about perfect halves, but a deep, mysterious intertwining of divinity and humanity that reflects the purpose of the Incarnation: a divine being lowering himself to human form. These reflections provide insight into understanding Jesus’s unique nature and role within the realms of faith and theology.

Understanding the Nature of Jesus

Balancing Divinity and Humanity

I used to question how Jesus could be 100% God and 100% man. I never changed my views, but it's a complex issue. For instance, Jesus claimed, "Before Abraham was, I am," which directly references Him as God. Yet, by becoming man in the flesh, He had to give up something. This raises questions about His human and divine natures, like when He said no man knows the hour. Doesn't God know everything? It must be His human side, but then what happened to His divine side when He was tempted or didn't know an answer?

Debating the Divine Percentage

This discussion has led to debates about whether Jesus was 50% God and 50% man. While some might think it’s a more balanced explanation, I don't like assigning a percentage to it. Calling Him half-God feels off. The implication might be closer, but I disagree with that phraseology.

Experiencing God's Spirit

When a sinner comes to know Christ by faith, God sends His spirit into them. If God sends the fullness of His spirit, could one say they are a human being with the fullness of God in them? This idea connects to my understanding of Jesus because we all have our spirit and flesh sides.

Analyzing the Divine Nature

Some critics might take this discussion to a logical extreme, suggesting I'm equating Jesus with us, but that's not the case. Jesus was the Word of God made flesh, distinct from us. God never called Jesus His begotten son until after the resurrection, as stated in Acts 13:31. Before that, He was the beloved son. Post-resurrection, He became the God-man. Understanding this requires careful examination rather than relying on rhetoric.

The Role of the Trinity

This topic ties into discussions about the Trinity. If Jesus was God, then linking Him with the Holy Spirit becomes relevant. I'm looking forward to delving into this in our upcoming Trinity episode. The key is recognizing that Jesus lowered Himself to our level by taking on flesh, rather than remaining unchanged as God on Earth. This difference is crucial and highlights His pre-existence as the Word.

The Nature of Belief: A Discussion

In a recent discussion between my mother and me, we delved into a topic that often stirs emotions and debate within the Christian community: the nature of salvation and the doctrines surrounding it. A particular episode of James White sparked our conversation, leading us to consider the grace and doctrines in Christianity.

The Grace of Christ vs. Doctrinal Beliefs

As Christians, many of us claim that it is the grace of Christ that saves us. This view is widely acknowledged, yet often strings are attached. I posed a hypothetical scenario: If I were to approach my old church and claim a belief in a trinitarian concept, but perhaps not the full extent, and simply believe in a Father and in Jesus Christ as a wise and perfect man, would I be cast aside? Even if I claimed disbelief in the trinity, and instead embraced the Father and Jesus Christ's wisdom and perfection without adhering fully to the trinitarian doctrine, would that undermine my salvation? It's a challenging topic because, doctrinally, one might face exclusion. However, salvation should hinge solely on the grace of Christ—not on a specific doctrine.

The Importance of Open Dialogue

This belief brings us to an essential point: everything can and should be discussed. Throughout the years, I've come to realize that debate is not only inevitable but necessary. By examining our positions, we either reinforce or reevaluate our beliefs, ultimately gaining greater understanding. Our discussions should serve to enlighten us and help us grow spiritually, regardless of our doctrinal differences.

Embracing Diverse Perspectives

For our audience, particularly those with different views of Jesus, such as Mormons, embracing him as the author and finisher of salvation is a step towards deeper understanding. Christians often argue passionately over these topics, sometimes to extreme measures. However, our community has chosen a different path. We embrace these diverse views, believing that as long as one looks to Jesus as the Lord and Savior, they remain part of the body of Christ. Disagreement should not divide us but rather enrich our conversations.

The Pursuit of Truth

No one likes being proven wrong, myself included. I admit to being arrogant at times, confident in my positions. Yet, for the pursuit of truth, one must remain open to learning from others. This means acknowledging when we've been mistaken and genuinely listening to our siblings in Christ as we discuss these profound topics.

Understanding Through Different Means

To briefly touch on a related point, the Greeks identified four ways of understanding knowledge and truth. One is propositional truth, like doctrinal assertions such as the Trinity. This is book knowledge, an accepted truth based on written sources. Another is perspectival, viewing knowledge through one's perspective. Furthermore, participant knowledge comes from engaging with others. Each of these pathways offers a different lens through which to seek understanding, enriching our quest for spiritual truth.

Through open dialogue and the willingness to embrace different views, we enrich our faith and move closer to the heart of Christ, whose grace remains at the center of our salvation journey.

Exploring Perspectives and Engaging in Conversations

Participating in an activity broadens your knowledge much more than just reading about it or thinking about it. It's an experiential understanding that takes learning to a deeper level. Among the different ways we absorb knowledge, three are subjective––they come from within us. These three allow us to understand truths personalized to us. Meanwhile, one is objective and is given to us through the propositions presented by men and women as the truth.

Embracing Grace and Humility

Steve, the notion you discussed suggests that we are all at different levels of understanding and should approach discussions with grace and mercy rather than anger. It's important to acknowledge that those sharing information didn't know it before they learned it themselves. Similarly, you didn't know it before someone told you. This calls for humility in our interactions.

Balancing Passion and Patience

I emphasize this point, especially for the listeners of my podcast––thank you for your support, by the way! Sometimes you might hear my frustration over certain topics such as atheism. In my first episode discussing Mormonism, I sounded frustrated, similar to Sean, but the episode represented genuine confusion and concern about those who withhold crucial information.

For example, leaders of certain churches, especially those of the LDS Church, have access to significant information. Hence, if they're intentionally misleading their followers, my frustration can appear justified. As James White would say about us, I'm generally a nice guy on a personal level, though my podcast may reflect otherwise due to the passionate debates.

However, there's a reason behind it. It's not just me venting frustration; it's also about pushing for truth and understanding. Still, in conversations, patience and love should prevail, even if the other person is uninformed or even slightly arrogant. The fruits of the spirit include patience, and fostering faith and love in dialogue is essential.

Discussing the Divine

Dave, does the Bible say that God will become flesh? Indeed, Emmanuel means "God with us," and although not directly stated, passages imply this truth. John 1:1 is an example where it talks about the Word being God and eventually becoming flesh and dwelling among us. So in some frameworks, yes, God becomes flesh as perceived but maybe not explicitly as one might question.

On a lighter note, I've noticed a certain confidence with those glasses of yours, Steve. And oh, we joked about your previous cowboy hat having its own flair. Now, you seem more like a rancher—a jolly one at that!

Looking Ahead: Idols and Influence

As we wrap up our discussion and plan for next week, Ethan has drawn an intriguing topic from the hat: "What is the problem with idols like movie and rock stars?" It's a thought-provoking question, and we'll dive into it next week on Christian AnarchySomeone who follows Christ as their only authority—rejecting institutional control over their spiritual life. Today.

Tune in and be part of the journey. Feel free to reach out—my email is in the description below. We're excited about continuing this exploration with you!