| Ask Y |
 Where God-questions are put to the test This month’s question…Even though Jesus said he was God it doesn’t mean he was You are right. Just because Jesus spoke of himself as being God it doesn’t mean he was. Much like the people they used to lock away for believing they were Napoleon. But Jesus saying he was God does create a trilemma – which is one step worst than a dilemma! Because someone who says they are God can be only one of three things. Either 1) A total fruitcake. 2) An absolute fake or 3) Telling the truth. In other words they have to be a lunatic, a liar, or truly the Lord God. So, which is Jesus? Could Jesus be a lunatic? How else do you describe someone who sincerely believes they are God, that they have the authority to forgive sins, and will one day give away seats in heaven? If Jesus was deluded then he can only be pitied. In which case, does that sound like Jesus to you? Consider his poise and composure. Weigh up the quality of his life and relationships, the skill and insights of his arguments, and the sheer wisdom that streamed from his lips. Measure the total richness of all he said and did – and its life-enhancing impact throughout history. Does that sound like someone who went through life completely deluded? In which case… Could Jesus simply be a liar… knowing it was not true that he was God but saying he was anyway? Knowingly and willingly he told one of histories greatest porkies. But think how much store Jesus put on the need for people to tell the truth. He even said, “The truth shall set you free.” Which means he would be more than a liar, he would also be a hypocrite. And is it really possible for such insight, wisdom, compassion, and love to come from the life of someone so knowingly deceitful? Could the greatest and wisest moral teacher in history really be so immoral? It would be like discovering Greenpeace owned a nuclear power plant. More than that, sane people only lie because it is in their best interest. But Jesus gained nothing from his ‘lie’ – in fact it was the reason for his death on a cross. So if not a loony or a liar what then? It can only be that Jesus was who he claimed to be – God, the Lord of all. What he said was true. It’s the only conclusion that fits the data. There is no other. And this is the incredible reality at the heart of the Christian faith. God stepped into first-century dust and dirt to make himself known – to those then and to people like us for all time. Your dilemma is how you now respond. Peter Meadows is the co-author with Joseph Steinberg of The Book of Y the basis for the eight week Y Course that explores life’s biggest questions. If you have a Y Question relating to issues of faith and God, Peter or Joseph will do their best to answer it. Send your question to: challenge @veritecm.com Subject: Y Course We hope to publish their responses in future editions. |
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