December 24, 2007
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Jesus is God
This is a reprint from two years ago:
The reason most of us celebrate this Christmas season is because of Jesus Christ. About 2000 years ago, a man walked the earth claiming to be the Messiah. He was the one who would bring salvation to the world.
I used to struggle with this whole idea of Jesus. I thought Jesus was sort of God. I thought He was God but something less than God the Father. So I looked at Jesus as sort of a step down from God the Father. I believed Jesus was sort of God.
I have talked before about how my life went through a major change when I was 19. I was sort of doing my own thing. I read my Bible every day and went to church every Sunday and Wednesday. But I was living my own life. Around that time I had doubts about Jesus. There was so much literature about Jesus and there was some people who would point to evidence that they said questioned the reliability of the Bible. There were others that would say that the Bible was reliable but they were Christians so I didn’t know if they could be trusted. I always thought that some of the Christians I knew were the least critical thinking people I knew.
I certainly didn’t want to believe anything any of them told me. So I went on a quest. I decided to figure out God. So I prayed. It appeared to me that there were all kinds of religions out there and how could one be picked over the other? I wondered if the only reason that I believed in Jesus was because I was told that Jesus was God my whole life. I wondered if I lived in some other country if I would have believed what they believed.
I read several books from several different religions. I tried to understand what others were thinking. I also started to do research concerning the reliability of the Bible. I cannot in one post mentioned what I figured out. I would simply like to point out one issue that had a huge impact on how I live my life today.
It centered around the story of Jesus. I noticed from my teaching of my youth that Jesus was mentioned in the New Testament. I had this impression that the Old Testament was about God the Father and the New Testament was about Jesus.
I started to look more carefully at the Old Testament. I found something out that I would like to share with you today. The Old Testament makes over 330 references to a Messiah that would come. That was why the people in the New Testament were looking for a Messiah. They wanted to know if Jesus was that Messiah. It seemed pretty odd to me that so much of the Old Testament made over 330 references to that Messiah. That must mean that Messiah was pretty important. As I started to study those references I was shocked. I thought the whole Old Testament pointed to this Messiah and Jesus was fulfilling the predictions of these Old Testament writers.
I thought to myself “I wonder if the Old Testament was written before the New Testament?” It seemed to me to be an important point. If people were able to rewrite these predictions after Jesus came into the world, the predictions would not be that big of a deal.
The Old Testament is full of these predictions. For example, in Genesis 3:14 God told the serpent “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” The prediction indicates that there will be a time when the woman’s offspring will crush the head of Satan. That is what we see in the New Testament. This is just one prediction. If you are not familiar with these predictions there are over 330 of them. They can be stunning to read.
In the book of Isaiah, the prophet told of a special baby that would be born: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). So the prediction was made in advance that a child would be born of a virgin.
In the Old Testament book of Micah, a prediction was made. In Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” So this Old Testament prediction indicates that He would be born in Bethlehem.
There are over 330 of these predictions. They tell about how He would die on the cross. They tell about how people would cast lots for His clothing. As I was studying all of these passages, I was stunned by how many of them there were.
The issue then for me centered on whether these predictions were written in advance of Jesus birth. If these Old Testament passages were rewritten after the time of Jesus, then they could have just changed them. In other words, people could have rewritten the predictions to match Jesus and His life.
I found out that those predictions were compiled before the life of Jesus. No one serious even contest this point. I looked among historians that were not Christian. I figured Christians were biased. The Old Testament has been discovered in ancient cities that existed before the time of Christ. We can look at those ancient text and see that the Old Testament was totally together. These predictions were in place before the time of Jesus. Don’t take my word for it. I wouldn’t take the word of a Christian either. I had to research it myself. I encourage you to do the same. Don’t stop at one book. Do all the research on this one point that you can. Check the research material the person cites. It will stun you.
The Old Testament was totally together before the time of Christ. With recent discoveries in the last 50-60 years, we have further confirmation of this point.
So I knew that these predictions were made in advance. They pointed to a Messiah. Jesus came and claimed to be the Messiah. He fulfilled these predictions.
So the only thing I had a question with was whether these disciples colored the New Testament to make it appear as if Jesus fulfilled these predictions. In other words, I was wondering if the New Testament was biased by the writers. I came to a conclusion on that issue too. The disciples were being killed one by one. It seemed to me that at some point their story would break down. After all, if I really didn’t see Jesus raise from the dead, I wouldn’t die for the lie.
I can’t think of many things I would die for. I think someone can die for something that they think is the truth but is actually a lie. But in this case the disciples either saw Jesus die and then raised again or they didn’t. They either saw Him float away into heaven or they didn’t. If I was about to die for a cause, I would fold at that point. But they professed Jesus until the death.
I will tell you what I believe now. I believe those disciples saw Jesus alive. I think they saw Him alive and it changed their lives. They realized at that point He was the Messiah. The miracles were impressive. But Jesus was raised from the dead. And they were willing to give their lives to spread that message.
When I came to these conclusions, I was changed too. I remember thinking to myself one day, “If Jesus is God, then that was a pretty big sacrifice.” If God stepped into the world and gave up everything to come to the earth and die for me, how could I not live my life totally for Him. I felt it would be difficult for me to live for myself again. I needed to live my life totally committed to God from that point on.
So the question to me centers around who Jesus really is. If Jesus is a good teacher with a lot of great little sayings, then I will think about following Him and His teachings. But if Jesus is God, then my only response is to drop to my knees and pray to Him and worship Him. My life cannot be the same. I was created by a God who stepped into earth to die for my sins. He deserves absolute devotion.
Do you think Jesus is God?
Comments (144)
No, I don’t.
And I don’t believe the Bible is really anything more than a collection of stories with a mild historical backdrop.
Also, I think unquestioning devotion to the ultimately unprovable and intangible is a very unhealthy idea.
Some skepticism is require to survive in life, after all.
Of course.
This is a reprint from two years ago? A reprint from what? Was this originally your post?
Yes, Jesus is God as is the Holy Spirit.
No.
I don’t believe in God.
Dan,
As I sit here on Christmas eve – after just putting my lil one’s down- with a nice glass of Rasberry di Amore-
I feel and think, because of my Roman Catholic up bringing- that Jesus- is God’s Son, Not God– Yet his son, they are 2 seperate beings- God is who he is, untouchable, Yet God gave a special woman his seed to concieve his Son, Jesus is Half God and half Mary ( Human ).
Thats as simple as I can explain it.
I believe with out a doubt this !
Merry Christmas !
Yes
God sent his son to die because he was too lazy.
Yes
Yes…Jesus is God.
“I and the Father are one.”
He said he is and therefore, by faith I believe.
Jeez, Dan. I think the question should be “who honestly read this whole post?”
Yes, I do. Thank you for a beautiful post and have a blessed Christmas, Dan.
yes he is God…
…and i agree – anyone who doubts or is skeptical should research it as you did instead of doing nothing and belittling those who have faith. (look at some of Lee Strobel’s writing…)
yes Jesus and the holy spirit are a piece of God
P.S. Have a merry christmas!!!
No, I don’t.
And a_wish, some of us non-believers HAVE done research and have come to the conclusion of not believing Jesus is God / the son of God.
{ I have read Strobel’s “The Case For Christ”, by the way)
yes. i do.
“let us love one another that with one mind we may confess, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in essence and indivisible!” (that’s a yes.)
I feel and think, because of my Roman Catholic up bringing- that Jesus-
is God’s Son, Not God– Yet his son, they are 2 seperate beings- God is
who he is, untouchable, Yet God gave a special woman his seed to
concieve his Son, Jesus is Half God and half Mary ( Human ).
This is NOT the teaching of the Catholic Church. 100-100, not 50-50.
Yes
Humm, this is a good question…
Hmm… Mormons think that the devil and Jesus are brothers. Figure that one out.
Without a doubt, yes - Jesus is God. Thank you for sharing about your journey.
Yes!
yes.
Yes — without a doubt –
I don’t think there’s a god.
And I think you definitely missed the other part of gods supposed sacrifice– that he was sacrificing himself to himself (or to us, his own creation) in order to forgive his own creation for breaking the rules that he himself made. Something’s just not right there.
Yes!! Great post!
He is!
Obviously
Absolutely not.
When I threw the I Ching last night, I experienced a miracle. I had blogged about what 2008 would come to be for me before I left for the UK.
Four days later, I threw my I Ching.
The I Ching, Water Over Fire; Already Fulfilled was exactly what I had blogged four days before.
It was a miracle. The universe is a battle for balance. All is Yin or Yang. I have no idea nor any interest in what any Christian has to say, I personally experienced my miracle. I don’t need anyone’s 2000 year old stories, I have mine right now.
I’ve arrived at my own conclusions at my own research of Biblical texts, and I’d say there’s an incredibly large degree of uncertainty among any researcher about the validity of the Bible. All I really have to say is that the Old Testament was redacted over and over and over again by the Jewish authors. What does that mean? That means that everything has been changed, and not just once, but many times over and over again. The original words of Genesis, I guarentee you, are FAR different from what we understand them to be.
I’ve said this before, and though I doubt many people will really give this comment much observance, I must emphasize it again – one awesome example of this is that angels did not exist until the Babylonian captivity. The polytheism of the Babylonians influenced the Jewish people into believing in angels and they went back through their religious books and randomly added angels. Anywhere you see an angel in the Old Testament, it has been edited in, much like a wikipedia article. I cannot give my whole faith to something that just feels to me so unfaithful to itself, really.
Then there’s the whole subjectivity of sin and of God’s rules. I don’t know. While reading them it just hits me so hard, “These were not written by an Overseer of any sort, these were written by humans.” And many Christians use that to their argument, but what I’m saying is just that it sounds so much like human bias that I doubt there was any divine intervention.
I believe in a God and a higher order to this reality of realities, but out of logic, not out of scripture. Scripture is too flawed for my shaky beliefs.
-David
yes.
In short, yes. Thanks for posting that, Dan.
Jesus is the son of God.
I thought that was the whole point?
He is part of the trinity.
I really enjoyed reading this.
Kudos.. or in this case, eprops!
Answer: Yes.
Nice look to your site! I’ve been off Xanga for several days.
God bless you, Dan! Thanks for your posts and for your friendship.
Merry Christmas!
I don’t believe in God.
If he did all these things and carried out all these predictions, why didn’t the Jews believe he was the Messiah?I believe there was a Jesus at some point, and he instituted morals into men, some of the men godless at one time. I believe he did a good thing for many, but I do not believe he walked on water, turned water to wine, or rose from the dead. He may have tricked people into believing he did, but the stories are obviously augmented.
Religion gives many people something they need: hope. The hope that this life we are living is not it, that there is something beyond what’s here on earth. I think that’s why so many people follow religion so blindly. It’s rather morbid to think there isn’t anything else. Don’t mistake me for called you a blind follower. As you said in the blog you read many other religious texts and tried to understand and researched it. You need that to have an opinion worth listening to.I think that if there is a God all the religions are right. I think they’re all speaking of the same God in different ways. Almost every religion has the Golden Rule, which makes me think more and more a main function of religion is to keep people honest, or at least fearful of lying. Many religions have punishment for “sinners,” as rightly there should be. Moral codes are important and I think the Holy Texts were written to keep people in check. All the major religions at the moment are monotheistic (yes, even Hinduism… if any of you don’t agree with me catch up on your research). Just an observation. I don’t know why so many people would die if it were all a con. Maybe they believed in the cause, giving hope to people who had little. I think they honestly believed in God and that Jesus was the Messiah, but certainly not that he had done what they said he did. I can continue to contemplate the reasons, but that’s all I’m doing, contemplating. People embellish tales, people lie, you have to take everything with a grain on salt.God may be real, I do not pretend to be omniscient, but it all seems a little farfetched to me.
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are three separate individuals, yet at the same time they are ONE. Jesus is God, as is the Holy Spirit. LOVED this post!
God bless you.
As a literary character, sure.
And I almost forgot my whole spiel on why I was saying the religions were similar… silly me.
I think if there is a God, he will let you into heaven if you are a decent person whether you followed him or not.It seems ridiculous to me a murderer who repents can get into heaven, however an atheist who never carried out any horribly bad deed cannot. I don’t think that’s how heaven works if there is one.Merry Christmas.
God bless you
p.s. here is a fun holiday website:
http://www.simonsezsanta.com
Merry Christmas Dan and a happy New Year to you and yours.
Used to. Then I realized God doesn’t exist.
Dan, you said: “If Jesus is God, then that was a pretty big sacrifice.”
Uh, no it isn’t. Jesus can come down here whenever he wants, ’cause he’s God. So apparently Jesus was crucified and died (and people have died far worse deaths than that, you know) and then he magically went up to heaven. What kind of a sacrifice is that? He didn’t lose anything. Jesus didn’t give up anything. He just died and went to heaven. What exactly was he losing?
But Jesus can come down here whenever he wants. He can *poof* himself into existence here, ’cause he’s all-powerful. He can poof things.
I think more research is necessary, especially on account of the fact
that so many people depend on the King James edition, which according
to Copyright status, belongs to British Crown. Of over 20,000
denominations of Christianity, some of the few that I could find that
still critically analyze this religion without the King James edition
are Greek Orthodox and Ethiopian. Unsurprisingly, there are a great
deal of discrepancies between the Greek collection of books and the
British collection of books. (I don’t know what difference there is
with the Latin collection of books.)
With so many people arguing about the proper syllabling of the
Tetragrammaton, and so much dispute over the existence (or
non-existence therof) of the ontology of a supreme deity, perhaps,
instead of arguing over semantics, it is best to relay the end message
of nearly all of these seemingly differing points of view.
The end point of religion is Love. Love, for me, is the biggest mystery
there is. I can’t even being to understand what Love really is, let
alone if it is possible to make a conscious choice about Love or not.
However I have the experience to understand that without Love, life
would not be exciting. Instead, life would be a simple deduction and
implementation of all of its parts. I would not be remiss to say that
Jesus, or any other being, is Love manifest.
Nor would I be remiss to say that Dan – you are Love.
First I come over here to shocking red. Then I am asked to answer a question about Jesus being God. But that’s at the end of a really long entry. So now I will read the entry and comment as the shock is wearing off.
No I don’t believe Jesus is good, but I also don’t believe he was a simple smart man a teacher I believe he was spiritually evolved for his time. I think people have misunderstood his teachings. I also think with the many translations etc… and all the problems with man telling other people how to interperet the bible and then acting like it’s fact because he said this is what Jesus meant, and all the political things that come into play, I can’t take the bible literally. I do think Jesus was trying to teach people how to live so that they could achieve the same enlightenment as him. And I think he was trying to teach us that we could have heaven on earth but we to what it takes. The messiah is supposed to bring peace, and if Jesus, but I think people thought it was going to be a magic wand type thing, I honestly think he was trying to teach people to follow him and his teachings and we would live in peace. And I wish people would focus on that rather than, do this or your damned to hell, and take scriptures out of already miss translated text, with no sence of the history or times these words were said. That annoys me to know end. Everyone has an agenda and it’s all about them. Save a soul, save a place for them. Feel superior and all knowing, but really live in a lot of fear.
People should study the Bible like a great piece of literature ( which it is). Read from front to back ( alone) read about the biblical times ( how did they dress, why were there weird laws) Why would God make some of thoses laws? Are they valid today? Read the Talmud and Midrash that has other stories about the old Testament. Compare different versions of the Bible, check out words that could mean something compleately different. Then study with other people and compare, debate, keep an open mind. To me that is the only way. You can still have your faith in God which is different than believing the Bible word for word as it is written.
Some things are meant to be parables.
The whole thing is people say that want peace, they want pure joy, they want to get along with neighbors and love them, giving feels wonderful, just on it’s own you get a rush. But this divide of religions and politics, and suing your neighbor, and getting pissed on the road. Wars, killing kids, nobody seems to car about getting to the spiritual place that I believe God would love for us to be.
We have chosen to go down wrong paths and he allows that, so we can learn. I hope it’s in my life time. I’m not worried about death, my God loves his children, I have done nothing to warrent a firey hell for eternaty. I am worried about quality of life on this beautiful plant God gave us, to learn on.
I wonder if your going to read that whole thing ^^^^^^^
I meant I don’t believe he’s GOD, great I’m going to get harrassed for typos now
Wow, Dan. This was awesome. You really need to write more things like this; thank you so much for this great reminder, especially on Christmas Eve. Absolutely, Jesus is God. The Bible is true, and we can believe everything in it. I loved this post; thank you.
Wasn’t he the human flesh version of the spirit of God?
Anyways, I don’t concern myself with those things, but like you I also want to read up on other religions so that I can understand the [preposterous/atrocious] mindsets of religious zealouts.
Happy Holidays, Dan!
short answer: yes
Jesus is most definitely God.
I believe, even though I do not always understand, I still believe. It’s called faith.
Yes, fully and completely. Just as God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are all completely and fully God. 3 persons, one God.
100% yes
What does it matter? They never existed in the first place. DMV always says it best.
Yes.
Yes, I do. The Triune God – God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.
I believe that Jesus is God. When He said, “Before Abraham was, I am” Jesus made a pretty definite statement about His divinity. Paul wrote that the Isrealites followed Jesus when they left Egypt, saying “that spiritual rock which they followed was Jesus Christ.” I believe that Jesus was on Mount Sinai when the 10 commandments were given to Moses. It was Jesus, “The Captain of the Lord’s Host” that met with Joshua before the battle for Jericho, I think, and I think that “the angel of the Lord” that Jacob wrestled with during the night of prayer was Jesus (who else could tell him that he had prevailed with the Lord?). Jesus was there at the creation, and walked with Adam and Eve. He may not have had the body that he had when he was here on earth to be a sacrifice for our sins, but Jesus is God, One with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
The apostle Peter says in 2 Peter, that he was an eyewitness of Jesus life and ministry and death, and that Jesus was alive again, too. But he adds that we have a more sure word of prophecy that points to Jesus being the Messiah.
Dan I really appreciate your sharing about your discovering Jesus in the prophesies. Many Christians today think that the old testement is just for the Jews, but the old testement is really important for Christians,too, for the very reason you mention: It points us directly to the Messiah.
The Jews who really understood God understood the need for a Messiah. Consider the message of the widow given to David when Absolom had fled. She says, doesn’t God find means to bring his banished back to himself? And that is the point of the mystic ladder seen by Jacob in his dream, the ladder that stretched all the way from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. Jesus claimed to be that ladder, the connection between heaven and earth, that we needed after the fall of man.
Abraham says it, too, when he says to Isaac, My son, God will provide himself a lamb….
God bless and merry christmas.
Yes, He is God. Peoples’ disbelief of the Truth does not negate it.
Blessings to you, Dan, and all who read this.
God is your spiritual soul. He is in every one of us.
Good post Dan, glad you posted YOUR thoughts on something instead of just throwing a question up there for us to discuss. Glad you came to the conclusion you did, but as Christ told His disciples at different times when they said certain things reguarding Himself or heaven, He told them it was revealed to them by God, they didn’t come up with it on their own.
Not only is Jesus 100% God, He is also 100% man. Not half man half God as someone else said. And no God wasn’t lazy, He became man so there would be a perfect sacrifice to take the place of man’s punishment for his sin. God isn’t lazy, He is sovereign over ALL things, and gives His Son charge over it all.I wish other’s would trully research like you say you did. God will show those who seek Him. Merry Christmas Dan,
~Grampy~
Yeah, I go w/ Jesus is God.
It was a huge sacrifice that God did for me on the Cross. I just wish the Church did a better job in telling me that I am worth it. It may seem that none of us are worthy of the Cross, but that means God is a fool.
If God is not a fool, than I can love Him for the sake of loving Him, and because He loves me. This is in opposition to loving him because I need to in order to get to Heaven, or because I am in His debt. The debt has been cancelled, sin has been forgiven. As a result, my actions are true and mature, and not from an immature relationship of Father bailing out a child. My relaitonship with Him is carried out according to the Scripture “what you do unto the least of My Brethren you do unto Me.” That is how we get off our knees and start walking with God. You do it by serving others.
A little off topic, and lengthy… but I felt moved to write it.
I don’t just *think* he is, I *KNOW* he is! I can’t remember the book of the NT, but Jesus says that “I and the Father are one”, meaning he and his father, God, are the same person. Jesus is God.
Thanks for sharing your testimony. I have often wondered what you really believed about the Bible.
LOL Did…a_wish just tell people to do research to start believing in God?
Wow. Kid, research is what made people STOP believing in God. Science and God rarely work together no matter how much Christian scientists want to make it so. God is often used as the reasoning behind things they can’t explain.
So before you decide to lump all non Christians into a bunch of ignorant fools, you should do YOUR research, and then kindly, mind your damn business =)
The Jews had the prophecies, but they chose to interpret the prophecies in a way which glorified themselves and appealed to their pride. They wanted a messiah that would lead them to a military victory over the hated Romans, and did not study or ignored the prophecies that pointed to Jesus’ humble life and his mission to take on the sins of the world. They did not want a humble messiah who taught them the way of salvation from their sins, because they did not realize they needed a messiah. The religious leaders had misunderstood the temple services and sacrifices, because they were deeply involved in the fraud that was taking place in the money changing and selling of animals. They wanted someone who murdered Romans, like Barabbas.
Many Christians today misinterpret the prophecies of Jesus second coming. They want a second coming that will be free of any challenges or problems for them. They hope that they will be exalted on earth as leaders, and rule over the world in positions of government and power, and then whisked away in a rapture before the time of trouble.
But Jesus said His kingdom is not of this world, despite what some christian leaders and popes would like to think. It is a kingdom of the heart, not big outward shows and displays of pomp and ceremony. Christ needs to be enthroned in your heart, and no earthly ruler can claim your allegiance and obedience if it conflicts with the word of God.
And Jesus said in John 17 I think, that He prays that the Father will not take His disciples out of the world, but to keep them from evil. Jesus wants His children to represent Him on earth, even through the time of trouble in the end, and then He will come and take his people home, who have been faithful to Him through all the trials and tribulations.
smileygirl91: When you say Jesus said “I and the Father are one” does that really mean that they’re the same person or is that just your interpretation of it? Clearly the sentence could have several connotations.
..Yeah you know what, just don’t answer that question. I’d rather not talk to Christians about God; it always ends up in them trying to convert me >_>
I have no idea if they’re the same. I’ve heard some say yes, I’ve heard some say no. I guess we’ll all find out whether they exist, and whether or not they’re the same one day, right?
RYC: I don’t think so either. I think whoever created jeans decided that it would be cute to be douche bags to us.
C.S. Lewis was the one who said, that Jesus was either”liar, lunatic, or Lord.” I don’t think that anyone could say that Jesus was a good man, with good teaching, and not believe he was God. His whole purpose for having people follow him was based on the fact that he was God. Why would I follow someone who had some wise sayings, but his foundation on being God was a total lie. I believe he is God. If you don’t, you must believe he was insane to claim he was, or he was a big fat liar.
Besides, we have more original documents of Scripture than of Plato or Socrates writings. We have more evidence for the validity of Scripture, and the existence of Christ, than we do of Plato existing. Everything we have on Plato is what other writers have said. Yet we don’t seem to question their existence.
If it’s all a lie, why is it such a big deal? Why is it that the whole world seems to be for or against Christianity? It reminds me of the scene in contact, where they question Jodie Foster, an athiest, and say “And I just couldn’t in good conscience vote for a person who doesn’t
believe in God. Someone who honestly thinks the other ninety five
percent of us suffer from some form of massdelusion.”
Good post. You write like Donald Miller.
Happy Christmas,
Haden
Jeez, Dan. I think the question should be “who honestly read this whole post?”
I did. Yes, I believe Jesus is God.
Undecided, I’m not sure that there’s any way to really know for sure, but who knows. I’ve been doing some research, but it’s half hearted at this point.
No.
Explain to me what ‘die for your sins’ means. Because to me it means nothing.
Yes I believe Jesus Is God.
I’m going through some similar questions right now. One thing, ”virgin” from Isaiah 7:14 can also be translated “young woman” (link - see footnote). Also, I have found that I have some questions about he validity of some small passages within the New Testament. For example, the story of the adulterous woman (John 7:53-8:11) was likely added to the original manuscript after the author had finished the book of John (link – see footnote). This is why I have problems when people argue that the Bible is inerrant. I believe it is inspired, not inerrant.. Another problem I have is that some people argue that Christ can only be reached through prayer. However, Christ himself taught different: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me” (Matthew 25:45). I truly believe that Jesus was passionate about justice and he wanted people to know that we should be too. Our prayers and pious thoughts will matter if we don’t see Christ in the least of these. Of course we love them because God first loved us and we ourselves are desperate for that love. Just some thoughts. Another thing is that I really wish we lived in a non-judgmental world where people of different faiths could be friends and not try and convert each other all the time. Or maybe use acts of love as main tools of persuasion. But I posted about that here if you’re interested. Merry Christmas..Pete
my one and only lord and savior
Sure, Jesus is God in a vacuous way. For instance, Pink Unicorns are invisible for the same reason. If neither exists, then they can be the same thing.
I find it ironic that after all this careful, methodical study, you choose an emotional appeal at the end: instead of ensuring that the NT was accurately describing details of the Messiah, not just regurgitating them, you simply said “oh, well, these guys believed him! I should, too!”
But it’s interesting that you researched it so heavily.
Man, that took guts! I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate that people are willing to share that much with others in the world we live, especially with everyone’s views differing so much. I too love to look at the evidence and different “problems” that surround Christianity and I have yet to find any problems or anything to turn me away from it…I have truly been changed and I know without a shadow of a doubt that there is a God and He came to earth to die for everyone’s sins, and it is an awesome thing!! Thanks a lot Dan and Merry Christmas!
“I think if there is a God, he will let you into heaven if you are a decent person whether you followed him or not”
irrashunal
That’s the whole point…it’s NOT about being a decent person – it’s about having a relationship with God. That’s what he wants – our hearts.
Yes, I believe, absoloutely 100 percent….and I have done the research, too. I REALLY liked your post about your journey and how you came to your conclusions.
Merry Christmas Dan!
^^ I read this whole post and rather enjoyed it!
Virgin in the original Bible meant something along the lines of, “Young Girl.” Not necessarily what we think of with the word Virgin.
Also, I don’t believe Jesus was the Messiah. The Torah states that when the Messiah came, he would fulfill many miracles that it listed, such as inscribing the Torah into the hearts of all the faithful and many more. Jesus did none of this. He was a great person, however.
YES!!!
Merry Christmas &
Happy Holidays
Answer for me: YES.
And I would not even try to convert those who refuse to be converted.
oh yeah… typicality isn’t one of Jesus’ traits.
and yes, i did read the whole post, dan.
AhavatEchad said: “If it’s all a lie, why is it such a big deal? “
Well, Muslims aren’t too far behind Christians. I’d say they’re catching up; they are a pretty big deal. But to answer your question:
People are gullible, and, well, some people are stupid. Witness the rise of Creation Science and New Age bullshit.
Religious leaders use emotional appeal, fear
tactics (“You’ll go to hell, sonny!”), and promises of heaven. People
fear the unknown. They want the security that everything will be
allright, so they resort to saying “Goddidit!” There! Mystery solved!
(or rather, it’s like saying – don’t worry about all the contradictory
facts – Believe it anyway!)
I’m still struggling with this.
No.
I don’t believe in God.
Jesus was just a very kind, kooky guy and we killed him because we hate kindness.
It confuses us…
Josephs family must have been very angry with him.
If an angel visited me and told me to stick with her I probably would take heed.
Merry Christmas Dan and family!
Yes I do believe
One in the same
Jesus is so wonderful. He is the heart of the Father; the beloved son. He is NOT God in the sense that he was a human man; yet, he inherited EVERYTHING…..he is of God’s lineage. and now, in the spiritual world, he is pretty limitless.
Never forget, he told us we are all gods…..he said greater things than I have done, you will do. Too much! AmaZing.! but he said it as a parent…..he knows we can do it1
First, we inherit. To have the love he does. brings me to tears. I dont think I can, but HE does. SO , I will do it for Him.
So much love to you, Dan…and all on the site!
No, because a god would never die. God should be something like superman, but without weaknesses or flaws.
“let us love one another that with one mind we may confess, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, one in essence and indivisible!” (that’s a yes.)
I feel and think, because of my Roman Catholic up bringing- that Jesus- is God’s Son, Not God– Yet his son, they are 2 seperate beings- God is who he is, untouchable, Yet God gave a special woman his seed to concieve his Son, Jesus is Half God and half Mary ( Human ).
This is NOT the teaching of the Catholic Church. 100-100, not 50-50.
<li class=”itemtimestamp”>12/24/2007 7:59 PM
<li class=”itemsubmitter”>blessed_saint_catherine
ok, Im Not going to argue- This is What I Believe- So ? you don’t agree- I was raised with Roman Catholic upbringing- myabe thats Not what they were trying to teach me, but thats what I understood out of it !
Look as long as you BELIEVE !
No arguments here !
MERRY CHRISTMAS !!
Diane ; )
Dan I think it’s remarkable that you did all this research. You must be a very smart person. Actually all those things that you searched for were things that I have mostly taken on faith. So maybe I don’t have as big of a faith problem as I thought!
I do believe Jesus is God. I don’t use His name every other sentence like some people. I don’t trot Him out to serve my ends. But He does have a presence in my life. He is my hope.
Merry Christmas!
Absolutely! Thank you Dan for your testimony. If people will only read the Bible they will find out the same as you and me that Jesus is God, the Creator of the Universe.
Hi. This post got my attention.
Yes, I do believe.
You wrote:
“They either saw Him float away into heaven or they didn’t. If I was
about to die for a cause, I would fold at that point. But they
professed Jesus until the death.”
I would fold, too. You’re right. why would someone die for a lie or even for a second hand information at that time unless there were living witnesses? There were living witnesses who witnessed to the truth to the point of death.
In my entry for the 25th of Dec, I wrote about the Christ Child. Not much of a theology but more of a faith experience. You might want to drop by and reflect with me.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!
jesus was simply a man. born of the virgin mary means he was born of the virgin mary jane. you can only get high off the unpollinated virgin female marijuana plant. if the female plant is pollinated it won’t get you high.
No, I don’t think so. The issue with many passages in the Tanakh (or the Old Testament) is that they were translated from Hebrew-Greek-English, which creates huge problems as it changes the meaning of things. In the original Hebrew, many of the prophecies are entirely different and couldn’t possibly point to JC. No, I don’t believe he is G-d.
Peace and Merry Christmas
Yes, it’s true. I like something another person said earlier about just because we don’t believe something is true doesn’t negate the fact that it is. It’s difficult for humans with all of our intelligence (God given of course), to accept the idea that there are just some things we can’t figure out. Thanks for sharing Dan.
Yes- and thanks for the post.
Don’t believe Jesus is God. Your argument is persuasive, yes, but doesn’t explain away other religions. All religion, I think, is just a big, “What if?”
Indeed. Quite well-written and succint, there.
Thanks so much for the wonderful testimony you gave. I believe that Jesus is 100% God (and 100% man).
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Galatians 4:4-5
For an “alternate” Christmas story, you could also read the first chapter of John.
Merry Christmas to you, and God’s richest blessings to you and your family!
dan,
yes. i read your posts via email but rarely comment. however, i would like to say merry christmas! and thought the post was fitting (i read the whole thing!)
i give you credit for taking the time to be skeptical and finding the true answers. i agree with you that anyone who looks honestly and hard enough WILL find credible proof of the old manuscripts. the bible is the most reliable ancient document as far as consistency and time between copies.
sadly, i dont think that sort of ‘proof’ will save most people– only personal conviction. thanks for sharing!
~meaghan
The Declaration of Dependence!
There are many who believe that there is a “god” who “helps those who help themselves”. Now if they can “help themselves” why do they need help?
There are many “gods”, yet there is only “One True GOD, Father of ALL” and HE will help those who cry unto HIM for help. And all who truly believe in HIM know how “poor and needy” they truly are. And so, just as The Messiah did, they also declare their dependence upon HIM as they cry;
“Father Help!”
The Declaration of Dependence
And HE helps!
Now the ‘american way’, the worldly way, speaks of ‘independence’. ‘Do your own thing!’ ‘Just do it!” Problem is they serve “the father of lies”, and his version of independence but creates dependence upon him. And oh, how destruction and perversion has multiplied in his evil world and especially in his seductive religious systems, all of which are the product of mankind’s “imag”ination, which he rules.
Sadly, the perverseness of this day is but one ‘fruit’ of the “strong delusion” that those of this world call ‘independence’! She/he’s and he/she’s abound and money rules as multitudes of double-minded men head off to war declaring they do so in the name of “The Prince of Peace”. “If the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness?”
Those same men return to a “home” dominated by ‘independent’ women who have been given legal authority to rule over them and abort(kill) their children. The prophecy of Is 3:12 is fulfilled today for “women rule over, and children oppress, men”.
However, in spite of the dis-order that is of this world, The Order of The ONLY TRUE GOD yet bears witness to HIS Creation: “The Only True GOD is The HEAD of The Messiah, The Messiah is The Head of the man, and the man is the head of the woman”. And those who would pervert The Order of The Only True GOD’ must answer to HIM.
”The Declaration of Dependence” was proclaimed by The Messiah in both His Teachings and His Life example. He was truly dependent and subject unto “The ONLY TRUE GOD” WHO was, and is, The Messiah’s GOD and Father, and WHO was, and is, The GOD and Father of The Messiah’s Brethren.
The Messiah testified, “The words that I speak are not My words but they are the words of The Father WHO sent Me! The works I do are not My works but The Father WHO sent Me, HE does the works”! “Truly, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees The Father do: for what The Father does, the Son does likewise.“ The Messiah testified, “I can do nothing of mine own self”!
The Messiah testified, “Love The Lord your GOD with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, and questioned, “Why do you call Me, Master(Lord), Master(Lord), and do not that which i say”?
Are you now seeking to follow The Messiah? Or are you still a babe in need of “milk” and unable to ‘walk’?
The “sincere milk of the written Testimonies” needful for babes, must give way to the “strong meat” which is given those who have “exercised their senses (after ‘drinking’ of The Testimonies) in the discernment of that which is good from that which is evil.”
Such ‘discernment’ will not reject “suffering as The Messiah suffered” for temporal worldly comforts, ‘discernment’ will not seek to “please man rather than GOD”, will not let intellect rule over the simplicity that is The Truth, nor will ‘discernment’ hearken unto the voice of a woman rather than GOD. Those who exercise ‘discernment’ will not love their own life in this world, or the things that are of this world. ‘Discernment’ will not allow its disciples to color their conscience gray any longer.
Many find reasons to avoid ‘discernment’ for ’discernment’ convicts them of “their love for this world and it’s things” which is a byproduct of “independence” ;-(
“Then said The Messiah unto him. A certain man made a great supper, and invited many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were invited, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray you have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go to prove them: I pray you have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring here the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as you have commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, that none of those men which were invited shall taste of my supper.”
“And there went great multitudes with The Messiah: and He turned, and said unto them, If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross, and follow after Me, cannot be My disciple.”
The Messiah testified: “As GOD sent Me, so send I you”. Those who are ‘sent’ will trust and believe that The ONE GOD, Father of ALL, will “supply all their needs” as HE “works in them HIS Will and good pleasure”. They are dependent upon, and subject unto Their GOD and Father, just like their Master(Lord) and Brother, The Messiah was.
And what of this world’s religious ways?
The Only True GOD has given HIS Call!
“Come out of her, MY people”!
‘christianity’, ‘islam’, ‘judaism’,.etc., are but religious systems that are of this world and all alike they are. And so it is that the seed of death is sown of their religious ways, because life becomes but a pawn in the wicked game they play!
And you? Do you have your part in their destructive and perverse processes? Are you independent? Or are you dependent upon The Only True GOD, Father of ALL?
There is but confusion and stress(dis-ease, no peace) for those who believe in the imagined systems of ‘order’ established by mankind. Systems that were established in service to the “god of this world” and his “way”. And his “way”, his desire, is to destroy the Creation of The Only True GOD. And mankind’s worldly systems: religious, political, social, economic, judicial, educational,,,, are all systems ordered of mankind to suit “the god of this world’s” purposes, and play their part in his destructive processes. The Only True GOD, Creator of ALL has declared that HE will “destroy them who destroy and pervert HIS Creation(land, air, water, creatures, Truth, Love, Peace, .etc.)”. Most play their part in the destructive processes because of their “love for money” and “ease of life“. Simply, Truth IS, “You can not serve The Only True GOD and money(mammon)”.
There is hope for those who take heed unto The Call of The Only True GOD and “Come Out” of this world and it’s seductive religious systems. Hope for those who “set their affections on things above”, eternal things, heavenly things. Hope because those who do so will quit serving ‘time’ in the prison that is this world.
There is Peace and True Freedom, In Dependence upon The Only True GOD! All HIS Children are dependent upon HIM, and as their Brother and Master, The Messiah, so they also desire above all else, “Father, not my will, But THY Will Be Done”!
“Our Father”!
Reality, now and forever!
HalleluYAH!
Peace, in spite of the dis-ease(no-peace) that is of this world and it’s systems of religion,
“for the WHOLE world is under the control of the evil one” indeed and Truth……. francisco
Great post. Yes I do. I did a lot of research also. All the evidence points that way. I think what really sinched it for me is not just all of the prophecies, but also how they relate to what it going on today and in comparison to prophecy in certain other religions. It’s fascinating.
I dont have to “think” it… I know that Jesus is God.
Merry Christmas, Dan. May God continue to bless u.
It doesnt matter Its his message which is more important Not many seem to Do WJWD
Yes.
I think we’re ALL God
Yes I believe Jesus is God in the flesh. There are 3 distinct persons we know as God. The Father, The Word (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. Our finite minds cannot understand distinctiveness inside one being.
Jesus is God…….God says so, therefore I believe it with faith. I believe He lived a sinless life and went to the cross for my sins, then on the 3rd day He arose from the dead and is seated in Heaven.
Now I repent of those sins and give Him Lordship over every area of my life and I have a relationship with Him that is so intimate….closer than with any human. He guides, protects, and yes comforts me. Like the Bible teaches, He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
All I know is my life was an empty wreck before He came and changed my life. Now He has given me a fullness I can’t describe with words. That’s why I believe.
Yes.
yes
Yes, Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.
Thank you Jesus for your sacrificial gift you gave to us when you died on the cross to provide a place in heaven for me.
It all started out in the manger over 2000 years ago!
I can never thank God enough!!!!
Jesus is a rock star.
I DID read the whole post….thank you Dan, you’ve never shared your personal spiritual story. It is not only touching but I whole heartedly agree. I too have done similar research and come to the same conclusion. My heart aches for those who deny the truth you have outlined here today. It is amazing just how real Jesus is as God himself and not just the “son” of God or some teacher with some outstanding ideas.
Knowing what we know about the prophesies and and the fullfillent of them is what confimed my faith in God and the Bible. Nothing else makes sense. It is not a collection of random myths, it is true and accurate history about a God who LOVES us who became flesh and died for us so we could realize just how much we are worth to him.
For those who doubt and are willing to test what they believe, read Raggamuffin Gospel by Brennen Manning. It will change your ideas of who God is and just how much you really mean to Him.
Keep up your ministry here Dan. that is what this is, I hope you realize that you are touching lives even though it may not seem like it at times. God’s word is never void.
Great point. I always wondered about the same things. Is Jesus really God or did I think that way because it was how I was raised? Well, I’m a little motivated to do the same type of research. But now, I can certainly answer your question with a firm yes. I may not have all the proof, but I have strong faith.
Yes, I believe Jesus is God.
-And choosing not to believe it does not make it untrue.
one day every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father!
yes, I believe Jesus- name above all names is God and my Lord and Savior and may He bless you for your bold proclamation of faith!
yup, Him as wrll a Mr. HS : allaboutgod.com/holy-spirit.htm 8.)
Yes!
Jesus is God.
John 1:1
It’s sorta complicated.
I went to a catholic school for about 8 years and what they told me was that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one (the holy trinity) yet seperate beings at the same time.
God created Jesus as his son– The way God brought him into this world.. Causing a virgin woman to concieve his child. One could already tell that this child would be something special.
Jesus served for his father by spreading his word wherever he went. Another way to present that he is God-like is the fact that he is selfless. Jesus sacraficed himself to save us all from sin.
Yes, I believe that Jesus is God but at the same time, two different beings.
i believe totally, and it’s great to know other people are willing to take critical looks at Christianity. i get called out by non-Christian friends for having blind faith, and it’s good to know there’s logic behind what i’ve believed all my life.
understanding Jesus’s simultaneous divinity and manhood is difficult, yes. but there are some things beyond the scope of the mortal mind. however consider this; God is all powerful. it sounds like a cop-out, yes, but when you can do ANYTHING, it doesn’t really have to make sense. Jesus was fully man; he could be tempted and needed food and water and could feel pain. but he was fully God; he never sinned and he possessed infinite knowledge. this is what i believe and i’m not trying to force anyone to agree. just please notify me if there are holes in my logic.
Yes I do and it has taken me a long time to get to that realization. And I’m still trying to make the adjustments that come with making that choice.
Yes, without a shred of doubt.
What a sacrifice. An omnipotent, omnipresent God pretended to be killed only to raise himself from the dead. Makes a lot of sense. Nothing more than a blip on the cosmic radar, if it is true to begin with.
Nice post! From my study, I have come to the same conclusion. I believe that Jesus can only be God in human form sent to purchase salvation for everyone in the world. Those that repent and put their trust in Him receive everlasting life (John 3:16).
IsaacRW wrote:
“What a sacrifice. An omnipotent, omnipresent God pretended to be
killed only to raise himself from the dead. Makes a lot of sense.
Nothing more than a blip on the cosmic radar, if it is true to begin
with.”
It WAS a sacrifice in human terms. Even though God is eternal and cannot cease existing, in the form of Jesus He could suffer and die as we think of death. Jesus went through the most painful and shameful death ever devised: crucifixion. He did it to demonstrate how much he loves individual people in spite of their rebellion against him. Christ made a way for anyone to be restored if they will simply repent of their way and trust Him. However, not many are willing because they think they know better. It is not something that anyone can or should try to force on you or anyone. It is believed and received on a personal basis. Check it out for yourself if you don’t want to accept another’s findings.
Well written. Obviously a Christian can be a thinker and a bit skeptical/sarcastic/cynical and still a believer. Thanks!
YAWN………zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. So boring.
Jesus is my maker and He is Lord of the Universe. Old is Old and new is new. It never occurred to be that people can do things like that. Do you know history?
Blessings,
Sally
It is my belief that “JESUS IS GOD IN THE FLESH”
God sent his only begotten son made in an image and after a likeness, that we as humans could identify with.
If we can identify with a baby child born in a stable-like a common baby, which gave you a glimpse of meekness, humility and quietness- who then grew up and walked among common folk, talked with common folk-had compassion for common folk-heal the blind and the lame-die on the cross for the sins of all humanity and then rose-in resurrection-the absolute truth of the workings of God The Father’s miracle. Then how is it not possible to have belief
Yes, Jesus is God incarnate..
Steve Braxton
Author:”The Road That Is Diffcult To Travel”
http://www.roaddifficulttotravel.wordpress.com
Behold god
I do not believe that Jesus is God, but God’s Son, therefore part of God. I don’t know much about my religion, but I do know what I believe. Thanks for posting this, it has made me think a lot.
Yes
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Jesus Christ is God. He is also Man.
While many people think he’s 50% man and 50% God, while that may sound correct, it is absolute blasphemy.
Jesus Christ is 100% God and 100% man. That was the only way his sacrifice for our sins could be perfect.
Every single person who has ever lived and whoever will live owes their entire life to God. I will only be able to take my next breath if God gives it to me, and then I am not guaranteed another. My heart only beats because God makes it beat. Jesus is God. Jesus is my savior. Jesus is Lord of ALL. (Acts 10:36) And whether a person agrees with that statement or not does not change the fact that he is.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isa 9:6
Hey =],
you have a really fascinating page =]
ciao xo
Yes – without a doubt :]
Yes, Jesus is God. I’m glad that you have accepted the truth
Come over from seedsower to read your favorite post. happy sigh~ I just knew it.
I struggled with whether or not to comment on this post. I have come to the conclusion, after all, that faith is a personal thing for a reason. It is not something to be attacked, or even debated when no debate is asked for. And though a question has been asked at the end of this post, it is not a call for debate. It is a simple yes or no question.
No, I do not believe that Jesus was Messiah whom the Jewish people have waited for. No, I do not believe he was the Son of God.
I won’t stretch out this comment, and I won’t try to debate as no debate was asked for. However, I will say this, in response to the post itself.
People die for a lot of things. They don’t die for lies, but they often enough die for things that are not true.
So many martyrs, so many reasons to lay down one’s life. Religions, politics, family names, nations. Our lives on this earth are irreplaceable and the only things we can be said to own, so we lay them down like poker chips to prove our faith in the cards in our hands.
Not everyone’s cards can be winners. And that’s if we are being generous. A nihilist would say that there are no winning cards if the player is dead. An optimist would say that it’s okay so long as someone- anyone- cashes in.
People have died for Muhammad. For Joseph Smith and his translated disks. For the Papal office. For the way of Buddhism. For the right to believe in nothing at all.
People think that they feel and see a lot of things. People convince themselves that they have witnessed miracles, or allow themselves to embrace the possibility of something wonderful in their time. Or they are afraid to admit that their cards are blank because they have been told that if they can’t see anything something is very wrong. A desire to die is not an argument, I am sorry.
There are too many cult members in this 21st century who will die for things that you and I would never in a million years believe. Their devotion is a sign of human strength and daring. It is not a sign that truth has been found.