9-17-18<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you know that Jesus Himself never claimed to be God?\u201d Many atheists, or agnostics, or armchair theologians have challenged me through the years. In fact: Yes, He did. Often. In many ways. Plus, He proved it by fulfilling prophecy and doing mighty works. Hey, if you cite the Bible, try reading it first. To quote the Good Book (somewhere) (I think) shutteth thy mouth. <\/p>\n
Jesus was \u201conly a teacher\u201d? Read His words\u2026 see His effects on uncountable multitudes through the ages.<\/p>\n
A few decades ago there was a book that flashed in the pan, but persuaded some people whose itching ears were waiting for persuasion, titled The Passover Plot<\/em>. It represented heresies that have popped up for a couple millennia arguing that Jesus was a fraud; that His miracles were staged; that He was either a charlatan or simply delusional. His disciples, too, were either political manipulators or likewise crazy. <\/p>\n Absurd on its face, even if only for the fact that very few people \u2013 certainly not all the Disciples; all the early Church\u2019s martyrs; the persecuted who endured torture and death as Christianity spread; and millions today who die rather than renounce Jesus — would \u201cdie for a lie,\u201d follow a lunatic.<\/p>\n The great Christian apologist C S Lewis posed the most profound of challenges to skeptics. To those who are familiar, you can hear it shared one more time.<\/p>\n For those of you who have not heard it, read carefully. <\/p>\n Jesus lived. He lives in the accounts of Roman governments; and of contemporary historians like Josephus, the great Jewish historian. Was He divine? Was He the Son of God\u2026 God incarnate? If you are mathematically inclined, you can figure the odds of hundreds of prophesies, written by dozens of writers, over many centuries, in different locations\u2026 all fulfilled in the birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. <\/p>\n OK. Perhaps that does not persuade you. Here is what C S Lewis proposed:<\/p>\n The historical figure of Jesus, heir to spiritual inheritance and a recorded lineage, was known to have taught and preached and healed. No one claims He was like a Greek god or mythological figure: He lived. So now we confront this Jesus. \u201cWho do you say I am?\u201d Before the rhetorical answer, Lewis confronts us with the logical choice\u2026 the only possible answers to Jesus\u2019s claims about Himself.<\/p>\n One: He was a liar. And ringmaster of an elaborate conspiracy.<\/p>\n Two: He was a madman, claiming to be God, but able to convince multitudes.<\/p>\n Three: He was \u2013 is \u2013 who He says He is. <\/p>\n There is no other logical choice. Much of the world thinks about it \u2013 frankly, hardly at all \u2013 and bets on the Teacher thing; or the craziness of ancient shepherds; or maybe they bet on the kindness of a god, if there is one, who will tally their good deeds, or make allowances for \u201cgood hearts\u201d and charity deductions on their tax forms\u2026<\/p>\n