Examining Evangelical Arguments for the Divinity of Jesus: A Critical Analysis

Evangelical Arguments

Beyond the indirect and cryptic arguments from the Gospels regarding Jesus' divinity, modern evangelists often attempt to substantiate this claim through the events of the crucifixion and resurrection. However, these arguments are as unsubstantial and weak as those derived from Gospel texts. In this discussion, I will critically examine and counter the evangelists' claims of Christ’s divinity based on the purported crucifixion and resurrection.

It is argued by contemporary evangelists that Jesus provided one proof of his divinity – that he would die at the hands of the Jews and rise from the dead. The precise realization of his prophecy and his ability to come back to life serve as evidence of his divinity.

However, a critical examination of the Gospel texts reveals that this assertion lacks substantiation. Jesus never claimed to die at the hands of the Jews to prove his divinity. The notion that Jesus deliberately chose to die at the hands of the Jews as a demonstration of his divinity is a fallacious argument, predicated on no substantial evidence. The act of dying, regardless of the perpetrators, does not confer divinity, and the assumption that it does is a flawed line of reasoning. His alleged resurrection does not prove Jesus’ divinity but the divine authority of God the Father who resurrected him.

Resurrection and Ascension are not Unique to Jesus

Additionally, the concept of Jesus's resurrection as the definitive proof of his divinity is equally questionable. Biblical narratives indicate that resurrection or ascension to heaven is not a unique phenomenon exclusive to Jesus. Biblical reports indicate that numerous other individuals were also either lifted alive to heaven or resurrected after death. For instance, Elijah's ascension to heaven in the presence of Elisha, as reported in 2 Kings 2:11, and Enoch's ascension in Genesis 5:24, are similar events. Genesis 5:24 reports that Enoch was raised up by God and that he walked with God. If the resurrection of Jesus is cited as evidence of his divinity, then by the same logic, Elijah and Enoch, who also experienced extraordinary departures from mortal life, cannot be dismissed from considerations of divinity. Notably, the accounts of Jesus's resurrection lack eyewitness testimony. The alleged testimony given by Paul is of little historical value as Paul did neither see the earthly Jesus nor his resurrection but claimed to see the light. Paul's reference to seeing a light rather than the actual resurrection further diminishes the historical reliability of these claims.

Crucifixion Contradicts Divinity

Conversely, the Gospel narratives of the crucifixion in reality challenge the notion of Jesus's divinity by imposing human limitations on God. The theological inquiry into the crucifixion raises profound questions about the nature of divinity and humanity in the context of Jesus Christ's suffering and death. This inquiry seeks to understand whether it was indeed God Himself who endured the agonies of death on the cross or merely the human manifestation in Jesus. The crux of this dilemma lies in deciphering the entity to whom Jesus appealed in his moment of despair, as exemplified by his cry, “Eloi, Eloi, O My God, O My God, why have you forsaken me?” This raises the question of whether Jesus was addressing himself for help or a distinct divine entity. Further, this line of questioning extends to the concept of monotheism and the number of deities. How many Gods are out there? Is there a hierarchy in godhead that a smaller god was calling on a bigger god for help? It also delves into the paradox of an omnipotent God being subjected to physical harm, humiliation, and ultimately, death at the hands of mortals. Was God nailed down on the cross, beaten and spat at? Was it God who cried, sought help and was buried by human hands? Are these limitations appropriate to the Majesty of God? The inquiry challenges the notion of God's omnipotence in the face of human limitations and ponders the logical feasibility of a being that is simultaneously finite and infinite, mortal and immortal, God and human. This apparent contradiction presents a significant intellectual challenge, as it conflicts with the principles of human rationality and understanding of the divine nature.

Gospel Discrepancies

Furthermore, the Gospels contain numerous discrepancies and inconsistencies, particularly in the crucifixion and resurrection narratives. The differing accounts of the women who visited the tomb, the timing of their visit, and the description of the angelic presence highlight these inconsistencies. Such textual variations cast doubt on the reliability of these narratives. For instance, Gospel of Matthew reports that “… toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher” (28:1). Gospel of Mark reports: “… Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices… they went to the tomb when the sun had risen” (16:1–2). Gospel of Luke reports: “…at early dawn, they went to the tomb...” (24:1); Gospel of John reports: “… Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark…” (20:1). The given timings of the tomb visits are at variance with each other. There is a great deal of difference between early dawn and when the sun has risen. When the Sun rises there is no darkness, as John reports.

Matthew mentions that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher. Mark states that Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome visited the tomb. Luke mentions Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them (24:10). John mentions Mary Magdalene only. Moreover, Matthew states that “an angel of the Lord descended from heaven” (28:2). Mark reports: “And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe” (16:5), but Luke (24:4) and John (20:12) write of two angels. Matthew reports that after the earthquake the angel rolled back the stone (28:1). The other three Gospels report that by the time the women had reached the graveyard, the stone was already rolled back. The Synoptic account reports that Mary was reminded by the angel of Jesus’ words about the resurrection, and she informed the disciples regarding the resurrection. John’s Mary is distraught and thinks that Jesus’ body has been stolen (20:2–4). Here the disciples mention no empty tomb. The Gospel passages of crucifixion and resurrection are riddled with contradictions and discrepancies.

The Problematic Post-Resurrection Accounts

Likewise, the passages narrating Christ’s post-resurrection appearances are quite problematic. The Gospels present inconsistent accounts of Jesus's post-crucifixion appearances, raising questions about their integrity. The reports of Jesus’ appearances are conflicting in Matthew 28:8–9, Mark 16:9, Luke 24:9 and John 20:18. Moreover, the fervent anticipation of Christians for Jesus' second coming presents a compelling paradox, given that he is believed to have returned to Earth multiple times, appearing to his disciples after his crucifixion and alleged resurrection. This raises a critical question: why did Jesus not fulfill his promise of establishing the Kingdom of Heaven during these subsequent visits, despite the clear expectations set with his followers? (Luke 9:27)

Holding the belief that Jesus is God, or conversely, that God is Jesus, seems to hinge on a substantial assertion with limited substantiation beyond a handful of inconsistent scriptures and alleged historical events of dubious credibility. This perspective is further complicated by interpretations that often reach levels of complexity bordering on the absurd. Again, this viewpoint seems to diverge significantly from rational human understanding and lacks a coherent foundation.

Jesus Never Claimed Divinity

The assertion of Jesus's divinity is further complicated by the fact that Jesus himself never explicitly referred to himself as God. Various passages in the New Testament that are often cited to support the claim of his divinity are subject to different interpretations and do not conclusively attribute the title of God to Jesus, as amply shown in the previous post. Oft quoted passages as evidence such as John 1:1; 1:18; 20:28; Roman 9:5; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 1:8 and 2 Peter 1:1 are translated by various scholars in different ways and in no way or form attribute the word “God” to Jesus, neither by Jesus himself nor by any of the New Testament writers. The lack of clear and unequivocal scriptural evidence raises significant questions about the validity of the claim of Jesus's divinity.

The legitimacy of questioning the indirect manner in which Jesus and John communicated about Christ's divinity, particularly through enigmatic statements like the "I AM" declarations or Daniel's "Son of Man" reference, is noteworthy. This approach seems incongruent with Jesus's otherwise explicit demeanor in the Bible. The gospel narratives portray Jesus as profoundly devoted to and reliant on God, behaving as a dutiful servant rather than as a divine entity merged with God. His actions – worshipping God, praying to Him, acknowledging being sent by Him, and seeking God's assistance during his most challenging moments – underscore this relationship. This context raises the question: why would Jesus then choose an obscure phrase like "I AM" to convey his divinity?

The central question concerning Christ's divinity remains unsettled and lacks substantial backing from evangelical scholars, both in terms of their interpretation of scripture and their distinctive logical frameworks. Paradoxically, they assert a superior understanding of Jesus, seemingly surpassing his own self-awareness. The reality is that whatever knowledge one believes they have acquired, it does not necessarily equate to a genuine understanding of this remarkable figure and prophet. A significant distinction exists between authentic biblical teachings and perceptions formed through subjective opinions and flawed assumptions.

Radical Rupture with the Past

The Christian doctrine that God incarnated as a human, living with human limitations and ultimately sacrificing His life on the cross for humanity's sins, marked a profound departure from historical precedents and other Abrahamic religious traditions. Given the extraordinary nature of this claim, it would have been crucial to articulate it in clear, unambiguous, and definitive terms to avoid any potential confusion or misunderstanding among the followers. This clarity is particularly essential considering the exceptional nature of the assertion that God assumed human form and suffered a humiliating death at the hands of humans.

However, Christian scriptures do not provide such explicit declarations either from Jesus himself or from his immediate disciples. This raises the question of why Jesus would choose to communicate such a critically important message for believers' eternal salvation through metaphors, parables, and cryptic statements rather than direct proclamations. The fact that Jesus never explicitly identified himself as God, never directed his disciples to worship him as such, but instead instructed them to worship God the Father, and consistently presented himself as a messenger sent to guide the lost sheep of Israel, suggests that he did not intend to be perceived as divine. These aspects indicate that Jesus saw his role as a servant of God, tasked with delivering a divine message of moral guidance and human reformation, rather than claiming any form of divinity.

Conclusion

In summary, the argument for Jesus's divinity based on his death and resurrection is fraught with logical inconsistencies, textual discrepancies, and a lack of clear scriptural support. The reliance on ambiguous and contradictory narratives to establish such a fundamental aspect of Christian theology is at odds with rational inquiry and critical examination. As such, the claim of Jesus's divinity remains an unresolved theological question, heavily reliant on interpretation and belief rather than historical evidence or clear scriptural affirmation.