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In the previous piece in this series, we referenced C. S. Lewis’s Trilemma, essentially the argument that: in claiming He was God, Jesus was either a liar, insane, or God. We discussed that Lewis’ position here is inescapably logical, but that two prior points needed to be made before we addressed this trilemma. The first point that needed to be addressed is whether Jesus lived, which was the topic of the previous installment. The next point that needs to be addressed is whether Jesus claimed to be God in the first place. That is the focus of this article.
Did Jesus Claim to Be God in the Synoptic Gospels?
In his book How Jesus Became God, Bart D. Ehrmannotes that Jesus never exactly claims to be God in the synoptic Gospels. (He does concede that Jesus’ claims of divinity appear in the Gospel of John—although he rejects the authenticity of that Gospel, or at least the relevant passages therein.) Ehrman thus concludes, “Jesus did not declare Himself to be God.”
In the hearts and minds of some skeptics, anything shy of Jesus saying the words, “I am God,” will not suffice to amount to a claim of divinity. But Jesus’ verbal claims of divinity were clear, as were His actions.
One of the most striking examples is Jesus forgiving sins. Ehrman writes that Jesus did forgive sins but points out that “pronouncing sins forgiven” was a routine action performed by Jewish priests. Thus, Ehrman argues, “Jesus may be claiming a priestly prerogative, but not a divine one.” It is certainly true that Jewish priests did perform such rituals of forgiveness. This is why the Sacrament of Confession seemed so natural to some early Christians; they were well-acquainted with the process.
But as Frank Sheed reminds us in To Know Christ Jesus, the Pharisees took it to mean a divine “prerogative.” They couldn’t think of any other way He might mean it. That is why, after Jesus healed the paralytic and forgave his sins, the scribes and Pharisees responded, “Why does this man speak like this? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Indeed.
Continued below.
The Trilemma Of C.S. Lewis, Part Two: Did Jesus Claim To Be God?
Did Jesus Claim to Be God in the Synoptic Gospels?
In his book How Jesus Became God, Bart D. Ehrmannotes that Jesus never exactly claims to be God in the synoptic Gospels. (He does concede that Jesus’ claims of divinity appear in the Gospel of John—although he rejects the authenticity of that Gospel, or at least the relevant passages therein.) Ehrman thus concludes, “Jesus did not declare Himself to be God.”
In the hearts and minds of some skeptics, anything shy of Jesus saying the words, “I am God,” will not suffice to amount to a claim of divinity. But Jesus’ verbal claims of divinity were clear, as were His actions.
One of the most striking examples is Jesus forgiving sins. Ehrman writes that Jesus did forgive sins but points out that “pronouncing sins forgiven” was a routine action performed by Jewish priests. Thus, Ehrman argues, “Jesus may be claiming a priestly prerogative, but not a divine one.” It is certainly true that Jewish priests did perform such rituals of forgiveness. This is why the Sacrament of Confession seemed so natural to some early Christians; they were well-acquainted with the process.
But as Frank Sheed reminds us in To Know Christ Jesus, the Pharisees took it to mean a divine “prerogative.” They couldn’t think of any other way He might mean it. That is why, after Jesus healed the paralytic and forgave his sins, the scribes and Pharisees responded, “Why does this man speak like this? It is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Indeed.
Continued below.
The Trilemma Of C.S. Lewis, Part Two: Did Jesus Claim To Be God?
