Historical Jesus

Proof in a Jar

October 21, 2013 by ddunn

What if the Christian scribes who copied scrolls of Isaiah and the other Old Testament prophetic books altered them to make them correspond to Jesus’ life?

This is a question many scholars and skeptics have asked. And it seems possible, even plausible at first glance. It would prevent us from making Jesus into a lying imposter, which seems highly unlikely, and it would explain the amazing accuracy of his fulfillment of prophecies. So, how do we know that the Old Testament prophetic books, such as Isaiah, Daniel, and Micah, were written hundreds of years before Christ, as purported? And if they were, how do we know Christians didn’t alter the texts later? [Read more…]

Secret Knowers?

September 20, 2013 by ddunn

The Gnostics thought they had secret, special knowledge hidden from ordinary people. Their name comes from the Greek word gnosis, meaning “knowledge.” As Christianity spread, the Gnostics mixed some doctrines and elements of Christianity into their beliefs, morphing Gnosticism into a counterfeit Christianity. Perhaps they did it to keep recruitment numbers up and make Jesus a poster child for their cause. However, for their system of thought to fit with Christianity, Jesus needed to be reinvented, stripped of both his humanity and his absolute deity. [Read more…]

Why Did Jesus Call Himself the Son of Man?

September 7, 2013 by ddunn

Some people argue that Jesus’ reference to himself as the “Son of Man,” proves he didn’t claim deity.

However, theologian J.I. Packer explains that the name “Son of Man” referred to Jesus’ role as Savior-King, fulfilling Isaiah’s depiction of the Messiah as both the suffering Savior¹ and the coming King where he is called, “The Mighty God,” “The Everlasting Father,” The Prince of Peace.”²

During his trial before Caiaphas, the high priest, Jesus referred to himself as the “Son of Man” foretold by the prophet Daniel. Caiaphas ordered Jesus, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” [Read more…]

What Did Jesus Mean When He Called Himself the “Son of God”?

May 31, 2013 by ddunn

Jesus claimed to be the “Son of God.” This title does not mean Jesus is God’s biological Son. Neither does the term “Son” imply inferiority anymore than a human son is inferior in essence to his father. A son shares his father’s DNA, and although he is different, they are both men. Scholars say that the term “Son of God” in the original languages refers to likeness, or “of the same order.” Jesus meant by it that he has divine essence, or in 21st century terms, the “DNA of God.” [Read more…]

Why Hasn’t Jesus Come Back Yet?

May 17, 2013 by ddunn

It has been around 2,000 years since Jesus left Earth, and many wonder why he has taken so long to return. In his book, Why I Am Not a Christian, atheist Bertrand Russell accused Jesus of breaking his promise to return.¹ So is it possible that Russell is right, and Jesus did break his promise? [Read more…]