Comparative Religion
Why do we follow Jesus? Why not the Buddha. . . or Confucius. . . or one of the Hindu gods. . . or astrology and New Age religion. . . or some religion we make up ourselves?
Throughout its history, the Christian faith has been questioned. Jesus himself answered many questions about who he was and what he came to do. Over the years, the faith has been attacked by those outside. . . such as Islam saying Jesus was only a prophet like Moses. And it has been attacked by those who call themselves “Christians”; such as Mormons or those in the “Jesus Seminar” who say the “historical Jesus” was a good man but didn’t perform any miracles or rise from the dead. We can be sure of our relationship with Christ. Let’s take a look at the evidence for our faith. . . .
1. The Object of Faith
Some say, “It doesn’t matter what you believe, just so you have faith in something.” Is that true? No, of course not! Faith is only as valid as the object of the faith. For example: a chair, astrology, gravity, etc., etc.
2. Historical or Philosophical?
Most religions are philosophical. For example, Buddhism is based on the ideas of morality taught by Buddha.
A few are based on historical events: Judaism is based on the events and the personalities in the Old Testament-the creation; the flood; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Moses and the Exodus; the conquest of Canaan, the prophets, etc. Christianity is based on the historical events of the birth, life, death, and physical resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Some say, “But you can’t prove Christianity scientifically!” No, nothing historical can be replicated in a test tube or a lab, but we have convincing historical proofs. I Corinthians 15:3-8 tells us that Jesus appeared to more than 500 eye-witnesses after his resurrection. That would be incredibly strong evidence in a court room! 3.
3. Jesus Clearly Claimed to be God in the Flesh
Luke 4:16-21: After reading prophecy about the Messiah, Jesus said, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Here, he clearly claimed to be that Messiah, the Christ.
Luke 9:18-22: Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “The Christ!” Jesus didn’t say, “Now, why in the world would you say something stupid like that?” Instead, Jesus commended Peter for his accurate perception.
Luke 22:66-70: The Jewish leaders asked Christ: “Are you the Christ?” Jesus replied, “I am.” Here, with those who hated him, Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh, the Christ.
In John’s Gospel: Jesus said, “I am. . . the bread of life, living water, the door, the good shepherd, the way, the resurrection, etc.” When God revealed himself to Moses at the burning bush, He said his name is “I am.” To the Jewish people listening to Jesus, his “I am” statements were clear claims of deity.
John 1:29: John the Baptist saw Jesus and proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” This statement is a clear reference to the references to the Messiah found in Isaiah 53. Jesus didn’t correct John and say, “That’s not me!”
Someone who claims to be God must be either Lord, liar, or lunatic. Jesus certainly doesn’t fit the profile of a liar or a lunatic . . . and besides, more than 500 people could have testified in court that they saw him after he was raised from the dead!
4. The Resurrection
In I Corinthians 15, Paul told his readers that the Christian faith stands or falls on the historical event: the resurrection of Christ. Here are some things to consider:
- His resurrection was prophesied by Christ many times: Luke 18:31-33, Matt 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34, etc.
- They didn’t “misplace the body” as some skeptics have said. The Roman seal and the soldiers secured the tomb: Matt 27:65-66
- More than 500 eye-witnesses saw Jesus after he was raised from the dead: I Cor 15:3-6
- If Jesus wasn’t raised, the Jews and Romans could have produced the body and squashed the Jesus movement in its infancy.
- The miraculous resurrection of Christ is not an option in Christianity: “We are fools if Christ wasn’t raised from the dead.” I Cor 15:17-20
5. The Response of the Disciples
All the disciples but John were martyred. John died (possibly boiled in oil) in exile on the island of Patmos. Peter was crucified upside down because he didn’t consider himself to be worthy of dying the same way Jesus died. Psychologists tell us that a person will not die for a lie. In this case, all 11 persevered until death for the truth they so strongly believed: Jesus was bodily raised from the dead.
Conclusion
When somebody challenges your faith in the deity of Christ or his resurrection show them the proof! And ask them to show you theirs. Quite often, their “beliefs” are based on the assumption that there is no supernatural, so in their view Jesus can’t be God. Or conversely, they leave room for any and every belief, and they miss out on Jesus claim to be “the only way.”
Most unbelievers don’t have intellectual problems; they have moral problems. The issue is not proof; it is their willingness to admit they are sinners in need of a Savior.
Be ready; be calm; be kind; be clear. Peter wrote:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (I Peter 3:15-16)
