Why don't we know who Jesus was?
Why do we keeping asking a question that was answered authoritatively?
Got a phone call from a friend recently who had watch the CNN program "The Mystery of Jesus" - (transcript here.) The show had provoked a number of questions about the basics of Christian faith, such as "Did Jesus' body go into heaven?" and "what happens to our bodies?" I read a few relevant scriptures that answered those questions for us, and we went on to talk about some related things.
CNN has been trotting out this show for the last few years at Easter time. Good for ratings, I guess. However, this kind of program is a real shame.
The only historical record we have of the life of Jesus is the Bible – specifically the 4 gospel accounts. These records pass the tests of historical reliability, are amazingly consistent with each other, are supported directly by the New Testament epistles, and indirectly by many other early Church writings.
That being said, the question we should be asking is , “What do the Biblical accounts tell us about Jesus?”
On the flip side, if people doubt the historical integrity or reliability of the Bible, then why even give the “Who is Jesus” question a second thought? Without the Biblical accounts, Jesus is almost completely unknown. He is at best a legend or myth. Interestingly, one of the experts in this show – Bart Ehrman – does not believe the New Testament we have is accurate. In fact, the Washington Post reports that Dr. Ehrman is no longer a Christian.
The program quotes Jesus and says,
"But who do you say I am?" That's a question Jesus asked his disciples. And it's the very same question Christianity has been trying to answer for more than 2,000 years.
Amazingly, the program never mentions that Jesus' question received an answer. What was the response? “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (see below) And this answer Jesus states as God-given! In light of this, which Christians are still asking the question!? Incredible that this was left out of the CNN show.
So why do men struggle with this question when it has been made so clear? Perhaps the answer lies in another part of scripture: "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." (Romans 1:21)
" Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 16:13-17)
Got a phone call from a friend recently who had watch the CNN program "The Mystery of Jesus" - (transcript here.) The show had provoked a number of questions about the basics of Christian faith, such as "Did Jesus' body go into heaven?" and "what happens to our bodies?" I read a few relevant scriptures that answered those questions for us, and we went on to talk about some related things.
CNN has been trotting out this show for the last few years at Easter time. Good for ratings, I guess. However, this kind of program is a real shame.
The only historical record we have of the life of Jesus is the Bible – specifically the 4 gospel accounts. These records pass the tests of historical reliability, are amazingly consistent with each other, are supported directly by the New Testament epistles, and indirectly by many other early Church writings.
That being said, the question we should be asking is , “What do the Biblical accounts tell us about Jesus?”
On the flip side, if people doubt the historical integrity or reliability of the Bible, then why even give the “Who is Jesus” question a second thought? Without the Biblical accounts, Jesus is almost completely unknown. He is at best a legend or myth. Interestingly, one of the experts in this show – Bart Ehrman – does not believe the New Testament we have is accurate. In fact, the Washington Post reports that Dr. Ehrman is no longer a Christian.
The program quotes Jesus and says,
"But who do you say I am?" That's a question Jesus asked his disciples. And it's the very same question Christianity has been trying to answer for more than 2,000 years.
Amazingly, the program never mentions that Jesus' question received an answer. What was the response? “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (see below) And this answer Jesus states as God-given! In light of this, which Christians are still asking the question!? Incredible that this was left out of the CNN show.
So why do men struggle with this question when it has been made so clear? Perhaps the answer lies in another part of scripture: "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened." (Romans 1:21)
" Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 16:13-17)
Comments
It's interesting that you referenced mystery. I am starting a post on "Is there any place for mystery?" I hope to have it up later today (3.31.08)
There's not one single document that exists that was written while Jesus alegedly walked the earth.
The "supposed" Jesus was dead by the time the New Testament was written 60-120 years after the fact.
We are left with the claims of man, decades after the fact, relying on hearsay upon hearsay stories.
If you ask a veteran to document a specific event from the Vietnam war, such as a battle he was an eyewitness to, would you dismiss his account because it was not written during the battle?
We have 4 historical accounts of the person and work of Jesus. 2 of them (Matthew and John) were eyewitness accounts. Luke's states that his account was based on interviews with multiple eyewitnesses. The Mark and Luke documents were written somewhere before 70 A.D. Jesus died around 30 A.D., so not only did these books reflect eyewitness accounts, some also were completed within 30-40 years of Jesus' death.
Much more can be said, and I can point you to a number of helpful resources if you are seriously interested in getting to the heart of your question.
"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, " (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
In fact, Pauls adds, "and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15:14-19)
Only God could bear the wrath of God. Only God Himself in the form of man could drink down the cup of God's fierce hatred for sin. Because Jesus cried, "Father, why have You forsaken me!?" we don't have to - if indeed we have been saved. Jesus' death and separation from the Father put us in the clear with God. Jesus' resurrection from the dead gives us evidence of this, and a living hope! Proof of the resurrection was considered important - note the verses between the above two quotes where Paul states who Jesus appeared to after His resurrection.