Truth Unites
Did Jesus Claim to be God? Answering Bart Ehrman
Oct 21, 2024
Bart Ehrman, a distinguished scholar renowned for his insights on the historical Jesus, engages in a riveting dialogue with Gavin Ortlund, President of Truth Unites. They tackle the provocative claim of Jesus’s divinity, dissecting Gospel narratives and early Christological views. The conversation explores the tensions around Jesus's authority to forgive sins amid Jewish cultural norms. It also addresses the nuanced nature of his self-identification and the implications for foundational Christian beliefs, inviting reflection on the truth of his claims.
26:05
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Quick takeaways
- Gavin Ortlund argues that while Jesus did not explicitly claim to be God, his actions imply significant divine authority, notably in his ability to forgive sins.
- The discussion references C.S. Lewis' trilemma, emphasizing that Jesus' implied claims of divinity challenge the notion of him being merely a legendary figure.
Deep dives
Jesus' Self-Identification and Early Sources
The argument presented highlights that Jesus did not explicitly claim to be God, a belief that seems to have evolved among his followers after his death. Analyzing the chronological sources, such as Matthew, Mark, Luke, Q, M, and L, it becomes evident that none of these early texts feature Jesus identifying himself as divine, with the Gospel of John being the first to make clear statements regarding his divinity. This absence from earlier accounts suggests that if Jesus had made such a claim, it would likely have been documented by multiple authors. Therefore, the notion that six separate sources could omit an essential part of Jesus' identity raises questions about the reliability of later interpretations of his nature.
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