Miracles, Part 7: Who Did Jesus Think He Was?
We have built a strong case for the historical accuracy of the claim that Jesus rose from the dead. If the resurrection actually happened, as the evidence strongly suggests, then the probability increases exponentially that the message that Jesus proclaimed was true. But did Jesus really claim to be divine? It has become fashionable within popular culture to deny this, and to believe that the disciples made up these claims. Therefore, we will again use a minimalist approach, assuming that the Bible is just another piece of ancient literature, neither inspired nor inerrant, and looking at two texts that almost all mainstream critical scholars, even those who are unbelieving, accept as historically authentic.
At Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin recorded in Mark 14:53-65, the high priest asks Jesus in verse 61, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Without hesitation, Jesus' replies in verse 62, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." In response, the high priest tore his garment, and the Sanhedrin delivered the verdict of blasphemy and the sentence of death. Why? Jesus was equating himself to the Son of Man who appeared to Daniel in a vision coming "with the clouds of heaven" (Daniel 7:13-14). This figure is described by Daniel as eternal, glorious, sovereign, and ruler of an everlasting kingdom. The high priest and Sanhedrin knew immediately that Jesus was claiming to be this figure. Their verdict of blasphemy indicates that by so doing, Jesus was claiming to be God.
It is important to understand that "Son of Man" was Jesus' favorite title for himself as recorded in all four of the Gospels. Thus the title is attested in multiple sources. But this title appears only three times in the New Testament outside the Gospels (Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13; 14:14) and only three other times in all of Christian literature during the Church's first 120 years (See Habermas and Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, 166). Therefore, it is highly unlikely that this title was invented by the Church and inserted into the Gospels. Moreover, we would certainly not expect the Jewish leaders to concede such a title to Jesus. Therefore, the text in question also passes the critical criterion of "dissimilarity." That is, neither Jesus' opponents nor his supporters are likely sources for this title, leaving Jesus as its most probable source. For these reasons, almost all critical scholars concede that Jesus claimed to be divine in this instance.
What about the title "Son of God"? In Mark 13:32, Jesus states that concerning the time of the end of all things "no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." From a critical historical standpoint, this statement passes the criterion of "embarrassment" since it suggests that there is something that the Son of God (Jesus) does not know, a notion that would likely not appear in the text if the disciples were creating a fictional account. This is why critical scholars largely agree that Jesus is the authentic source of this statement. Furthermore, in this text, Jesus employs an ascending scale of emphasis that underscores his position as one who is higher than any one on earth, above "even the angels in heaven," and submitted to only the Father in the limited sense of his knowledge in this particular case. Hence it is clear that Jesus viewed his Sonship in relation to the Father as unique, a Sonship that supports the Scriptural notion that Jesus claimed that he and his Father were one in essence, that is, divine (John 10:30).
So what do we make of all this? Based on these texts, there is broad agreement among critical scholars that Jesus claimed to be divine. But we have also shown in this series that there is substantial evidence supporting the claim of the early Church that Jesus rose from the dead. It is therefore but a small step to conclude that the resurrection of Jesus was an historical event validating his claim to divinity and, therefore, all that he said about himself, including his predictions that he would rise from the dead, the condition of man, the path to salvation, the nature of the spiritual world, and the destiny of creation. That is, the resurrection meets all of the criteria of a miracle wrought by Jesus' divine Father in heaven vindicating the message of his divine Son on earth.
Hence, we have now completely escaped the darkness of our stone houses and have come into the blinding light of the resurrected Son of God. There appears to be strong positive evidence that God exists and has broken through to our world. But why has he done so? What does the resurrection mean for you and me? We will address this question in our final article of the series.
Blessings,
Arnie Gentle
At Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin recorded in Mark 14:53-65, the high priest asks Jesus in verse 61, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" Without hesitation, Jesus' replies in verse 62, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." In response, the high priest tore his garment, and the Sanhedrin delivered the verdict of blasphemy and the sentence of death. Why? Jesus was equating himself to the Son of Man who appeared to Daniel in a vision coming "with the clouds of heaven" (Daniel 7:13-14). This figure is described by Daniel as eternal, glorious, sovereign, and ruler of an everlasting kingdom. The high priest and Sanhedrin knew immediately that Jesus was claiming to be this figure. Their verdict of blasphemy indicates that by so doing, Jesus was claiming to be God.
It is important to understand that "Son of Man" was Jesus' favorite title for himself as recorded in all four of the Gospels. Thus the title is attested in multiple sources. But this title appears only three times in the New Testament outside the Gospels (Acts 7:56; Revelation 1:13; 14:14) and only three other times in all of Christian literature during the Church's first 120 years (See Habermas and Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, 166). Therefore, it is highly unlikely that this title was invented by the Church and inserted into the Gospels. Moreover, we would certainly not expect the Jewish leaders to concede such a title to Jesus. Therefore, the text in question also passes the critical criterion of "dissimilarity." That is, neither Jesus' opponents nor his supporters are likely sources for this title, leaving Jesus as its most probable source. For these reasons, almost all critical scholars concede that Jesus claimed to be divine in this instance.
What about the title "Son of God"? In Mark 13:32, Jesus states that concerning the time of the end of all things "no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." From a critical historical standpoint, this statement passes the criterion of "embarrassment" since it suggests that there is something that the Son of God (Jesus) does not know, a notion that would likely not appear in the text if the disciples were creating a fictional account. This is why critical scholars largely agree that Jesus is the authentic source of this statement. Furthermore, in this text, Jesus employs an ascending scale of emphasis that underscores his position as one who is higher than any one on earth, above "even the angels in heaven," and submitted to only the Father in the limited sense of his knowledge in this particular case. Hence it is clear that Jesus viewed his Sonship in relation to the Father as unique, a Sonship that supports the Scriptural notion that Jesus claimed that he and his Father were one in essence, that is, divine (John 10:30).
So what do we make of all this? Based on these texts, there is broad agreement among critical scholars that Jesus claimed to be divine. But we have also shown in this series that there is substantial evidence supporting the claim of the early Church that Jesus rose from the dead. It is therefore but a small step to conclude that the resurrection of Jesus was an historical event validating his claim to divinity and, therefore, all that he said about himself, including his predictions that he would rise from the dead, the condition of man, the path to salvation, the nature of the spiritual world, and the destiny of creation. That is, the resurrection meets all of the criteria of a miracle wrought by Jesus' divine Father in heaven vindicating the message of his divine Son on earth.
Hence, we have now completely escaped the darkness of our stone houses and have come into the blinding light of the resurrected Son of God. There appears to be strong positive evidence that God exists and has broken through to our world. But why has he done so? What does the resurrection mean for you and me? We will address this question in our final article of the series.
Blessings,
Arnie Gentle
Posted by Arnie Gentile at 4/26/2011 12:45 PM 
Categories: Miracles and the Resurrection
Tags: Christian Apologetics Jesus Christ Defending Christianity Resurrection Divinity of Jesus
Categories: Miracles and the Resurrection
Tags: Christian Apologetics Jesus Christ Defending Christianity Resurrection Divinity of Jesus
Arnie- well written, Thanks! One thing I've not studied (but find interesting !) is that scripture can be relied upon because Jesus himself cites it (e.g. when He talks about Noah). Can you address that? (or maybe you have in previous posts in this series?)
Thanks!
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Great comment, Dave. Indeed, Christ's resurrection validated all that he said and did, including what he said about Scripture. He said that "Scripture cannot be broken" (Jn 10:35) and that "it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void" (Lk 16:17). His use of Scripture clearly indicates that he understood it all to be historically and prophetically accurate. And, of course, he asserted that all of it told of him.
The resurrection was God the Father vindicating all that his Son had said and done. Once we have established the historicity of the resurrection, all of the dominoes fall. The resurrection is the skeleton key that opens all the doors.
Blessings,
Arnie
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i am so greatful for fellow Christians as yourself! I have just created an apologetic blog and wrote an article on the historical Jesus. I would very much appreciate if you could visit my site and give me some feedback. www.rationallychristian.blogspot.com
thank you so much!
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