Was Jesus made Divine by Humans? Part 2

The last article brought us in text to an accumulation of letters written by Paul, discovered in

Engraving of Polycarp

1937 and having been written around 175 A.D. In particular, the letter of Paul to the Phillippians was penned by Paul around 62 A.D. was quoted by Polycarp who lived in the latter half of the second century, quoting from the Philippians text of Ph'p.2:7-10, just as we have it in our bibles today. This tells us that the text of this was unaltered from the time that Paul penned it. In it, he says that, "So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, "Jesus Christ is Lord!" Php 2:10,11.

So, we have seen that the concept that Jesus was and is Divine was not something promoted simply by the Council of Nicea in 321 under Constantine. The Council therefore adapted a "tenet" that Jesus was the "true Son of God" ergo divine, therefore as with Php.2:7-10 He was God. It was not the Council that made Him God, but they were simply agreeing with what was already in the scripture of that day (300's A.D.) and putting down an argument they considered to be in controversy to that.  However, the next dart thrown, is that Jesus was made divine by Paul. The proposition is that Paul (aka Saul of Tarsus), who was a Jewish scholar at one point, became corrupted by the Greek polytheistic influences that he encountered and resulting from that he began to proclaim Jesus as Divine or God. This is supposedly in opposition to the original disciples/apostles who lived with and followed Jesus who claimed him to be the "Messiah" - not God.

Did the disciples/apostles (excluding Paul) proclaim Jesus as divine? 

Well, it is interesting that if we isolate certain things in the New Testament from others, we can make the apostles say anything that we want to. We need to remember that taking things in context here is going to be crucial. Another thing to take in mind, is that the things we see these men saying in the beginning of the gospels, are made in more mature statements by much older men by the time we get to their letters in the New Testament. That said, let's begin in the beginning - with the Gospels.

The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), containing narratives from the life of Jesus through His resurrection and ascension. A significant fact in dating these particular books, is a historical event, the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Jesus foretold of this event (Mt.24), and the fact that this event is not included or mentioned outside of Jesus' prediction suggests their writing was before that date.  Matthew (originally in Aramaic or Hebrew) has dates ranging between 40-140 A.D. However as it was quoted by Iraneus in

Iraneus of Lyons

115 A.D. we know that it had to be written before then, and with no mention of the Temple's destruction outside of Jesus' prediction in Mt.24 gives us a rounded date of around 50 A.D.  Mark also, is supposed to have been written within 5 years prior to Matthew. While Mark was not an eyewitness to the events of Jesus' life. He was a disciple of Peter and it is suggested that it was Peter who informed Mark of the life of Christ and guided him in writing the Gospel known by his name.  Luke also was not a direct disciple of Jesus, but a convert and partner with Paul. He was a physician and also a historian. Luke was written before the book of Acts and Acts does not mention "Nero's persecution of the Christians in A.D. 64 or the deaths of James (A.D. 62), Paul (A.D. 64), and Peter (A.D. 65). John's gospel is the only one of the four, which the date is uncertain. We know the Revelation (also penned by John supposedly near the end of the first century after the Temple's destruction) and it is assumed the gospel was written around the same timeframe. 

Did they simply proclaim Jesus as the Messiah, or did they - He proclaim himself to be divine?  Peter's statement in Mat 16:16 is a key one, "Simon Peter spoke up, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."  Not only does Peter state that Jesus is the Messiah (Anointed One of God), but he includes in this statement, "Son of the Living God."  He literally declares Jesus to be the Offspring of God - of God, i.e., Divine. What is also significant, is that Jesus in none of the gospels repudiates Peter for making this statement.   In Matt 14:33 after calming the storm on Galilee the statement "And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Same as in Mt.16 and prior to Mt.16, where again the exclamation is made that they considered Him not just "Messiah," but Divine - God!  Again, the statement is not repudiated. One other key instance, is

Fragment  of Gospel of Mark

recorded in Mark 9:7,8 where Jesus is transfigured on the mountain. Peter, James, and John are there and the record states, " And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him." And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only." So, if only the four of them were there, and Jesus is transfigured, who is the voice coming from the cloud saying, "This is my beloved Son"?  If we take this to be God speaking, saying "This is my beloved Son" then what does that tell you? It's not Peter, James, John, any of the apostles or Paul and definitely not the Nicean Council.  Perhaps the most significant of the gospels exclaiming that Jesus is Divine and God, is the gospel of John. The entire gospel is devoted to and presents this as a physically witnessed fact that "...the Word WAS God.....the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."  It is also presented to an audience that lived during the time of the events, and to those who were aware of the events about which John writes.

In our previous article, we have seen that the presentation of Jesus as divine, was not something made up by the Nicean Council. They believed it, but their declaration was based on belief and teaching that existed before they did, and it was in effort to squelch those who were teaching the opposite as "doctrine." To say that Paul was the one who made Jesus divine is another straw being grasped by those who have not seriously handled the scriptures with any depth. Yes, Paul does believe, preach, and proclaim that Jesus is Divine - the Son of God!  What is interesting to me, is that Paul came to this conclusion on his own  (Acts 9:6; 26:16) without the help of the other apostles, who even considered him a threat in the beginning. But, the teaching that Jesus was Divine, the Son of God, is as we have seen, inherent in the Gospels themselves. It is presented and proclaimed by those who were the initial disciples of Jesus, as well as presented outside of them. In fact, the conclusion the gospels expect you to reach after reading the accounts and weighing the events and history, is that Jesus is not only the Messiah/Christ, He is indeed the Son of the Living God!

Next to consider in this, is whether the Old Testament scriptures present the Messiah as one who would be Divine? Or was the Messiah just going to be another human leader that would make Israel victorious? Have we misunderstood God altogether?  Check out the blog next week!

Jim

HELL and the Old Testament

Since launching this study on HELL, I have both learned - and been amazed. I have genuinely approached this study, not with an agenda in mind, but to learn - genuinely learn what does the Bible teach on this. This post will deal with the Old Testament.

Was-Is HELL something that was taught or even considered in Old Testament times? First, let me say that time and space here does not permit me to cover every aspect of this subject from this perspective. There are many arguments that are made, that I simply do not have opportunity to consider or just not worthy to consider. My goal here is to consider what the Bible teaches on the subject in the context of the matter at hand. One common comment that I have run across repeatedly in my research on the subject, especially on the Internet is the statement "..the Old Testament does not mention Hell at all..” Let me state here, that there is a sense in which this is right. The Old Testament does not come out and say, "thou shalt go to hell." Yet, many things which I have read across the Net-sphere assume this to be a diving platform on which to pontificate without much research into the matter from the scripture's perspective, or skewing biblical perspective to resemble their views. For example, making a claim that the sun does not exist, because ancient Egyptians considered the sun to be god, or because literature of the day does not specify the sun as a hot plasma ball is ludicrous. Arguments made by some authors on this subject fall into this same category. Which brings up to me a particular question, "What Bible are YOU reading?"

OK...enough talk. Let's delve into the scriptures themselves and see what the OLD TESTAMENT itself has to say about this subject. To say that people of the Old Testament did not have a concept of immortality is an incorrect assumption. As far back as the book of Genesis itself, people had two terms for death or burial and another for what they considered to be beyond death.

"qebûrâh" is the word that was used to state that a person had been buried or placed into a sepulcher or grave (Gen.35:20). In the passage cited, Jacob places a marker at the site of Rachel's grave - sepulcher.

"she'ôl" was a word that was used to refer to what they considered at the time lay beyond the grave or the world of the dead (Gen.37:35). In the passage cited, Jacob states that he will go into the world of the dead (notice the word is different than the one used in Gen.35:20) mourning his son. If he had meant that he would go down to the "DIRT" mourning his son "qebûrâh" would have been used. Jacob states plainly, that he will go down into "SHEOL" mourning his son - the world of the dead.

But someone will cry out, "THIS ISN'T HELL!" And...to this point you would be correct. It simply states a difference in concepts, that one - there is a place of burial and second that there is something beyond the grave. This is even more evident in the Psalms.

In particular, in Psa.16:7-10 "I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption." Notice in particular the last verse that the SOUL is not abandoned to SHEOL (the world of the dead) and the flesh would not see "corruption" (the decay of the grave). This passage, Peter says refers to Jesus (Acts 2:25-31). His body arose from the grave ("qebûrâh" - grk mnēma) Acts 2:32 and his Soul was not abandoned to SHEOL ("she'ôl" - grk hadēs) Acts 2:31 - because HE IS RISEN (Mt.28:6,7).

Psalm 30:3 - This Psalm was given at the dedication of the Temple. David states,"O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol (world of the dead - JH); you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit (cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well - JH).

Psalm 49:14,15 "Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell. But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me."

• Notice in this passage, it speaks of those who live rebellious to God, in haughtiness and trust in their own selves, riches, etc. They are "appointed (destined)" for SHEOL (world of the dead - JH). DEATH is going to be their shepherd there to guide them to this place.They will be consumed with "no place to dwell" - there will be no comfort, no peace.
• Not so for the people of God whose soul will be ransomed (severed, released) from the power of SHEOL (world of the dead - JH) - to be received by God! If they are released from the world of the dead and received by God what does that tell you? Sounds to me like the people of God are taken to be with Him, while the people that were wicked are SEPARATED from Him, with "no place to dwell."

Isa.10:16-18 "Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors, and under his glory a burning will be kindled, like the burning of fire. The light of Israel will become a fire, and his Holy One a flame, and it will burn and devour his thorns and briers in one day. The glory of his forest and of his fruitful land the LORD will destroy, both soul and body, and it will be as when a sick man wastes away."

• This is a prophesy of the captivity of Israel and of their return that would take place in the days of Cyrus and Ezra. While this particular passage doesn't have anything per se' to do with the world of the dead, there is a peculiar expression used here by Isaiah that is worth noting. Verse 18 contains what became a "proverbial" expression among the Jewish people, to be careful lest you invoke the wrath of God to "destroy (end) both body and soul."
• Notice that this is described "as when a sick man wastes away." Have you ever been around someone that lingers and lingers in throes of death? Humans ALWAYS associate this with pain, agony, hurtfulness, and suffering! Here, not only is the body gone (dead - in the GRAVE) but the soul continues in anguish - as one wasting away at a disease.

Isa. 66:24 "And they shall go out and look on the dead bodies of the men who have rebelled against me. For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."

• This is again Isaiah's prophesy of the capture and return of Israel in the days of Cyrus and Ezra. What is of peculiar note here is that God describes punishment for evil (vs.17)! They will face the fire of God's wrath. Those faithful are to be remembered, established, and to continue.
• Notice however, those who are evil have a familiar expression applied to them in vs.24. "For their worm shall not die, their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."
• Notice again, as observed from last week in Mk.9:44-49 it speaks of "THEIR WORM." Notice - IT SHALL NOT DIE (sounds eternal to me - JH). THEIR FIRE is NOT QUENCHED (sounds eternal to me - JH). THEY SHALL BE AN ABHORRENCE - (God's words not mine - JH)

Jer.19:1-7 –This passage is where the valley of Hinnom became the physical symbol of what becomes known as "gehenna" in the New Testament or eternal HELL!

• Notice WHY it becomes that symbol. Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents, and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind-- therefore, behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place shall no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.
• Notice now vs.7-9 I will give their dead bodies for food to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the earth. I will make this city a horror, a thing to be hissed at. Everyone who passes by it will be horrified and will hiss because of all its wounds. I will make them eat the flesh of their sons and their daughters, and everyone shall eat the flesh of his neighbor in the siege and in the distress, with which their enemies and those who seek their life afflict them.'

As I write this, I have two almost overpowering feelings. First, tremendous thankfulness and appreciation for the grace of God, who is thoughtful of me to offer me the opportunity to be with Him. Second, pity and fear for those who do not hear, see, understand or want to accept this grace.

It is true, that things must be accepted by faith. You must believe in order to understand. Some may deem me mad, crazy, religious fanatic, what-have-you because I choose to believe. My question though is have you truly considered the scripture's warning if YOU DO NOT?

Jim

BOOK REVIEW: Sabbath by: Dan Allender

In our studies at church, we entered a study of the Mosaic Law so I began to search for materials that would supplement my library and help in in areas that I only had scant information on. Granted, the Internet has made this more abundant, but I wanted something I could hold in my hand, take with me, and read at my leisure. I came across Sabbath by: Dan Allender.

I received this book, anticipating a delve into the intricacies of Old Testament lifestyle, details of Mosaic statutes and establishment of Jewish tradition. Was I in for a surprise.

At first, I did not know how to take this book. It certainly wasn't what I was expecting. Instead of LAW - I found myself being pulled into considering the concepts or REST, DELIGHT, JOY, GRATITUDE, APPRECIATION and more. This was becoming intriguing. I had always thought of Sabbath as a DAY. And yet, even the scripture tells us, Heb 4:9 "..there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God...." and reminds us in vs.10 – “as God rested from His works.” A day in which God took delight, joy, peace in what He had created and done. And then prompted me with a question, Do I take delight, joy, and peace in God? Now, I was hooked! I read and studied further.

Once again, I knew that the Sabbath was a day of feast in the Old Testament, but because I had become entangled in the ins and outs of legality, I totally overlooked the fact that God meant this day to be a day of reconciliation. Not just reconciliation to Him, but to one another. I was reminded what Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "2 Cor 5:18 And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation.." Once again, I found delight to insights that I had never considered before and was coming to appreciate this book more and more.

I an nearing the end of this book now, and wishing that I weren't. But I discovered that I had one more thing to learn. That Gratitude goes beyond simply appreciating what has been done FOR you. Let me share what I gleaned. As in the traditional Sabbath of Moses, there was unleavened bread to commemorate the journey of Israel out of Egypt, we too have Sabbath Bread in our own day and time. Jesus said, "I am the bread of life (Jn.6:35, 38)." We too, are left with a commemoration (1 Cor.11:26-30), a day not to remember what the Lord has done FOR us, but offered TO us. A day to be grateful, to be reconciled not just to God, but to all men - even my enemies. To consider, that Psa.23:5 "...you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" is not a feast of vindication, but a feast of appreciation for what God has done for me and in turn for me to bring my enemies to the table to be reconciled. I cannot do that, unless I remember what Jesus offered FOR me, and what He gave TO me. It is what God did for Jesus, and it is what Jesus does for me.

Some of you will read this book with different review. Some will read and not know what to do with it. Some will look upon it legalistic and try to find its flaws. Some will read as I did and appreciate what it's author has tried to convey in words. I for one am appreciative of this book, and recommend it heartily. I feel that you would be blessed by it, if it is read with the right heart.