Premium Essay

Pre-Existence of Jesus

In:

Submitted By akutz
Words 2975
Pages 12
The Preexistence of Jesus:

Jesus’ Divine Origin and Identity in the Gospel of Mark

Andrew Kutz

REL 371 - New Testament

Dr. Jason Bruner

February 27, 2015

Introduction

Bart Ehrman, a New Testament scholar and author of The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Church Writings, was once a strong proponent of the view that the Gospel of John, alone, presents Jesus as divine:

Until a year ago I would have said – and frequently did say, in the classroom, in public lectures, and in my writings – that Jesus is portrayed as God in the Gospel of John but not, definitely not, in the other Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

Nevertheless, over the course of writing his book How Jesus Became God, Ehrman admitted to a change of perspective, saying, “These [Synoptic] Gospels do indeed think of Jesus as divine.”As far as this statement, Ehrman and I agree. He does, however, clarify his position, as he posits a viewpoint that I will attempt to refute.

For Mark, Jesus was adopted to be God’s son at his baptism. Before that, he was a mere mortal. For Luke, Jesus was conceived by God and so was literally God’s son, from the point of his conception. (In Luke Jesus did not exist prior to that conception to the virgin – his conception is when he came into existence). For John, Jesus was a pre-existent divine being – the Word of God who was both with God and was God at the beginning of all things – who became a human. Here he is not born of a virgin and he is not adopted by God at the baptism (neither event is narrated in John – and could not be, given, John’s Christology). So yes, now I agree that Jesus is portrayed as a divine being, a God-man, in all the Gospels. But in very different ways, depending on which Gospel you read. I believe it to be a fair summary to say that the crux of Ehrman’s argument is that while each Gospel

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Christology

...and was drawn to one sentence: “Jesus was a man and as such could not also be God.” Seeing the puzzled look on my face, one of the men asked me what I thought about the claim. The Biblical basis for Jesus humanity can be illustrated in scripture. John 1:14 states: “So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory of the only Son of the Father.” When Jesus was born, God became a man. He was not part man and part God, he was completely human and completely divine. Jesus Christ is the perfect expression of God in human form. Another important doctrine of Christianity is that of Jesus deity. In John 10:30 it reads: “The Father and I are one.” This is the clearest statement of Jesus divinity he ever made. Jesus and his father is not the same person but are triune in the nature of the Godhead. On page 158, Towns explains that, “The Biblical basis for Jesus deity is His pre-existence and eternity. Jesus has always existed as stated, John 8:58: “Jesus answered, “The truth is, I existed before Abraham was even born!” This is one of the most powerful statements uttered by Jesus. When he said that he existed before Abraham was born he undeniably proclaimed his divinity. In addition, the Bible teaches that Jesus is both God and man at the same time, (Hypostatic Union). The Bible supports that Jesus is God by showing all the attributes of God. Matthew 18:20 reveals Jesus is everywhere. “For where two or...

Words: 927 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Life of Michael Servetus

...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY The Life of Michael Servetus A Research Paper A Paper Submitted to Dr. Jerry Sutton In Partial Fulfillments Of The Requirements For The Course CHHI-525 History of The Christian Church II BY Andrea Gearing Cumming, Georgia August 17, 2012 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION--------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 MICHAEL SERVETUS EARLY LIFE-------------------------------------------------------3 BRIEF SUMMARY OF MICHAEL SERVETUS WORKS-------------------------------6 THE TRINITY AND MODERN SCHOLARSHIP-----------------------------------------9 MICHAEL SERVETUS THEOLOGY------------------------------------------------------10 CONCLUSION---------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 BIBLIOGRAPHY------------------------------------------------------------------------------17 INTRODUCTION The first time I was introduced to Michael Servetus, I was a student at Liberty University. I had never heard of this important figure in History. At any rate, I had begun to find ways to learn more about him. It was on a Wednesday night, one week before the night of my church Bible study that I had to submit a discussion board question of Michael Servetus in church history. I arrived at Bible study with Michael Servetus in my spirit. When I arrived at church my pastors opening statement was: "In 1553, Michael Servetus was burned at the stake for what I am going to...

Words: 4362 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

Christology

...Christology Jesus was born human for several reasons. He came to fulfill an office. He is sinless and like no other man. He had a role of uniting heaven and earth, (John 1:51). Another reason is because God established that the shedding of blood for remission of sins. (Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22) For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins (Hebrews 10:4 KJV). In His humanity he was tempted, he was poor, he was despised and he was persecuted. This made him able to sympathize with us. He also endured a cruel death. Only a human being could fully understand this. Lastly Jesus coming in the flesh is the mark of the spirit from God. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God and every spirit that does not confess that] Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. (1 John 4:2-3 NKJV) Jesus Christ is truly God and truly man. (Elwell, 2001) For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; (Colossians 2:9, KJV) Jesus Christ was and is God incarnate. As Christians we believe that there is a God who is infinite and immutable. He is a personal God, a creator and the Ruler of the entire universe. I believe that his deity is His eternality and His pre-existence. The hypostatic union states that human nature was united with the divine nature in the one person (physical...

Words: 705 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Does God Exist?

...The concept of religion itself is extremely complex and has been in existence for ages. Religion has been used as a mode of connection with a higher order being in order to have bliss in life and afterlife. There are different perspectives by many philosophers who argue about the controversial topic- existence of God. Some philosophers believe that due to the existence of evil and suffering in our world, it poses a serious challenge to the belief in the existence of a perfect God. In this paper however I am not concerned with the question whether God exists or not but I rather will be discussing the Western concepts of God as well as the Eastern one, followed by the dual existence of a higher being and evil. I will also emphasize on Immanuel Kant's perspectives on religion and radical evil as his views intrigued me the most among all the other philosophers, mentioning my own belief on religion and God. Western thought about God has fallen within some broad form of theism. Theism is the view that states there is a God, which is the creator and one who sustains the universe and is unlimited with regard to knowledge (omniscience), power (omnipotence), extension (omnipresence), and moral perfection. Western philosophy has interfaced most widely with Christianity, Judaism and Islam has also had some influence. The orthodox forms of all these three religions have embraced theism, though each religion has also yielded a wide array of other views. The western concept of God reveals...

Words: 2120 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Essay

...Atheism Newsletter! Enter email address Discuss in my forum Sign Up Who was John the Baptist?: John the Baptist (also: John the Baptizer) appears in each of the four gospels as a figure preaching the immediate coming of a Messiah. John is depicted in a manner consistent with Jewish eschatological expectations: dressed and acting like Elijah, John is preparing the way for the Messiah as well as the “last days.” Gospel stories suggest that John’s ministry was popular and successful. According to Luke, he was born into a priestly family. When did John the Baptist live?: John the Baptist Pre ache s John the Baptist lived during the first half of the first century. When he was born and how old he was when he died are unknown. Luke’s account of John’s birth, claiming that his parents were the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, suggests that he would have been the same age as Jesus. Where did John the Baptist live?: John the Baptist would have been active primarily in Galilee, around the Jordan River. Although the Jordan was not suitable for the purposes of agriculture or navigation, there are a...

Words: 597 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Paper

...parent while it is still only a child, people cannot comprehend God's will in their current physical and earthly state. Now why is there evil in the world if God is so supreme. Augustine had his view on why evil exist if god is so good. Augustine based his theodicy on his reading of key Biblical passages: Genesis 3 and Romans 5:12-20 Genesis 3 is the story of Adam and Eve and their ‘”fall” in the Garden of Eden. In it the snake convinces the woman to eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The woman picks the fruit, and passes some to Adam. Because of their disobedience God has them evicted from the garden. In Romans 5 Paul describes the Christian belief that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross cancels out the disobedience of Adam and Eve. In his self-sacrifice Jesus has made available the gift of righteousness. Augustine said God is perfect. The world he created reflects that perfection. Humans were created with free will. Sin and death entered the world through Adam and Eve, and their disobedience. Adam and Eve’s...

Words: 1186 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Piero Della Francesca’s the Flagellation of Christ

...regarding the artwork. It was created in the mid fourteenth century, making it a quattrocento, and utilizes the styles of renascence art. The group of three men in the foreground contains the main theme of the painting that is the Christian acceptance and Jewish rejection of Jesus as the messiah and how that created a divide in theological beliefs between the two groups. Through a visual analysis it is apparent that this image is unlike almost any other Christian depiction of the life of Jesus. In this representation of the Flagellation Jesus is not the main focus; rather he is confined to the background of the image. This is an unprecedented reversal of Jesus and surrounding figures in Christian artwork. The main focus is of a group of three men in the foreground. This is apparent due to their location relative to the location of Jesus. It is easily seen that the group of three men are in the foreground due to the artist’s clear lines on the floor that creates a three-dimensional scene. Although there is distance between the groups, there is a clear connection between them. Jesus and his group of tormentors reflect the first triad. This is further supported by the similarities between the posture of Jesus and the middle youth in the foreground. The fact that the two groups are connected shows that Piero’s main point lies in the foreground, but is heavily supported by the flagellation. The three men composing the foreground appear to be somewhat prominent due to their colorful...

Words: 943 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Role of Women in the Church

...century. Women are still not allowed to serve as priests or hold major positions in the church s hierarchy. This inferiority is something that is seen as tradition and rarely do people question it. However, in Paul s letters he alluded to a different role that women should take on. He presents the idea that everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord as long as they have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Although he was not the first to ever express these beliefs, the idea that Paul presented was quite radical for his time and may not have been taken with the same authority as some of his other teachings. However, the basic formula that Paul used in some of his letters was also presented by subsequent writers years after he was finished with his ministry. The most straightforward presentation of Paul s view on the role of women is in Galatians 3:28, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. This statement brought up the idea of baptism and the key role it plays in the life of a Christian. Paul states that when you are baptized in the name of Jesus all worldly distinctions are no longer important. A person is not to be viewed based on past religion, life before baptism, or gender, he or she will now be viewed simply as a follower of Christ. By following Christ a person is baptized into a single body, no divisions are to be made due to past traditions. This formula for equality that Paul presents in Galatians 3:27-28 is echoed in many...

Words: 2200 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Woman in Ministry

...century. Women are still not allowed to serve as priests or hold major positions in the churches hierarchy. This inferiority is something that is seen as tradition and rarely do people question it. However, in Paul s letters he alluded to a different role that women should take on. He presents the idea that everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord as long as they have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Although he was not the first to ever express these beliefs, the idea that Paul presented was quite radical for his time and may not have been taken with the same authority as some of his other teachings. However, the basic formula that Paul used in some of his letters was also presented by subsequent writer’s years after he was finished with his ministry. The most straightforward presentation of Paul s view on the role of women is in Galatians 3:28, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. This statement brought up the idea of baptism and the key role it plays in the life of a Christian. Paul states that when you are baptized in the name of Jesus all worldly distinctions are no longer important. A person is not to be viewed based on past religion, life before baptism, or gender, he or she will now be viewed simply as a follower of Christ. By following Christ a person is baptized into a single body, no divisions are to be made due to past traditions. This formula for equality that Paul presents in Galatians 3:27-28 is echoed in many of...

Words: 2201 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

The Christology Debate

..."in the beginning was the word, the word was with God, and the word was God." John 1:14, tells us "And the word became flesh and dwelt among us . When the Word became flesh, he dwelt in the womb of Mary and was born as Jesus. Jesus is the incarnation of God. He is God in flesh. Col. 2:9 tells "for in him dwells all the fullness of deity in bodily form." Another term for the incarnation of God in reference to Jesus is the hypostatic union. The term "incarnation" does not appear in the New Testament, but the concept is definitely taught: John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; 1 Tim. 3:16; 1 John 4:2; John 20:28; Heb. 1:8 (ref) There are two views stology teaches that God the son; the second person of the Trinity laid aside the use of certain divine attributes or emptied Himself in the incarnation in order to become fully human. This view is also called the incarnation when the second person of the Godhead became flesh. this doctrine reaches reached every area of Christian theology and effects every area as well. The doctrine of the incarnation reveals the identity of Christ this theology touches the pre-existence of Christ, Christ’s humanity, deity, sinlessness, and His three-fold office and more. The traditional view of Christology maintains that Jesus exercised both his divine and human attributes at the same time. Christology is the study of Christ the word is derived from the Greek word Christos, meaning anointed one or Christ. Christ is the second person of the Trinity...

Words: 1193 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

The Purpose of Our Human Body

...Anakephalaioo- to head up or sum up everything under • Sum up under one principle; everything under the headship of Christ; formally gather under one head. The arguments and the results and the summary of all created find their answer in the.. • Bring everything under the control Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may be giving you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the realization of Him, Eph 1:18 the eyes of your heart having been enlightened, for you to perceive what is the expectation of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of the enjoyment of His allotment among the saints, The Importance of The Inner Man Eph 1:19 and what the transcendent greatness of His power for us who are believing, in accord with the operation of the might of His strength, • Into us who believe Eph 3: 2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you–ward: • The one given to me into you Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in ( into) the inner man; Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Accusative) Eph 1:20 which is operative in the Christ, rousing Him from among the dead and seating Him at His right hand among the celestials, • Which He energized ( aorist) in the Christ • Our position is heavenly places...

Words: 1967 - Pages: 8

Free Essay

Synoptic Problem

...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. CAROL A. THOMAS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURST NBST 525 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BY LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA , 2013 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 1 EXPLORATION OF THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS........................................................................1 ORAL THEORY.............................................................................................................................2 THE TWO-SOURCE HYPOTHESIS.............................................................................................3 THE GREISBACH HYPOSTHESIS..............................................................................................4 THE FARRER-GOULDER HYPOTHESIS...................................................................................5 THE AUGUSTINE HYPOSTHESIS..............................................................................................6 DEFENSE OF THE SYNOPTIC PROBLEM................................................................................6 CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................7 BIBLIOGRAPHY...........................................................................................................................9 INTRODUCTION At first, one reads the words “Synoptic Problem” and assumes the worst. The expression...

Words: 2814 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

About L's

...all away, away B We're giving it all to go Your way Verse 1: B In the Father there is freedom B There is hope in the Name that is Jesus B Lay your life down give it all now B We are found in the love of the Saviour Pre-Chorus E G#m We've come alive in You B G#m Set free to show the truth E G#m F# Our lives will never be the same Chorus: B We're giving it all away away E G#m E We're giving it all to go Your way B We're giving it all away away E G#m E We're giving it all to go Your way (Away we're singing) Verse 2: B We are sold out to Your calling B Everything that we are for Your glory B Take our hearts now, have it all now B Let our lives shine Your light like the morning Bridge: C#m E B F# You rolled back the curtains from our eyes And now we can see You C#m E B F# You've shown us Your way Your truth and life C#m E B F# We offer our lives to bring You fame E We're caught in Your freedom E C#m We're caught in Your freedom Chorus Today is the Day – Lincoln Brewster Intro: C Am G F | C Am G F | C Am G | Verse 1: F C Am7 G F C Am G Im casting my cares aside. Im leaving my past behind. F C Am7 G F Dm7 F Im setting my heart and mind on You, Jesus. F C Am7 G F C Am G Im reaching my hands to Yours, believing there’s so much more, F C Am7 G F Dm7 F Knowing that all You have in...

Words: 1522 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Christian Worldview

...Christian View In our everyday experience, just about everything seems to have a beginning. In fact, the laws of science show that even things which look the same through our lifetime, such as the sun and other stars, are, in reality, running down. The sun is using up its fuel at millions of tons each second—since the sun cannot last forever, it had to have a beginning. The same can be shown to be true for the entire universe.(Denton, 1986) So when Christians claim that the God of the Bible created all the basic entities of life and the universe, some will ask what seems to be a logical question: “Who created God?” The very first verse in the Bible declares: “In the beginning God ... .” There is no attempt in these words to prove the existence of God or imply in any way that God had a beginning. In fact, the Bible makes it clear in many places that God is outside time. He is eternal, with no beginning or end. By very definition, an eternal Being has always existed—nobody created Him. God is the Self-Existent One—the great “I Am” of the Bible. He is outside time; in fact, He created time. Think about it this way: everything that has a beginning requires a cause. The universe has a beginning and therefore requires a cause. But God has no beginning since He is beyond time. So God does not need a cause. There is nothing illogical about an eternal Being who has always existed even though it might be difficult to fully understand. You might argue, “But that means I have to accept...

Words: 2748 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Islam Worksheet

...the Arabic root “asalama” which literally means peace, purity and submission. Thus Islam means “surrender to the Almighty” and Muslim means “one who is in a state of submission”. It is understood that this submission is to the Will of God, as is laid down in the Quran. This tenet is unequivocally accepted by all sects of Islam be they Shia, Sunni or Sufis. 2. Explain the basic concepts of Islam. Islam is an unerringly monotheistic religion. It enjoins the existence of one God, his prophet Muhammad who is the Last Prophet in a long line of prophets sent throughout time and to every civilization, and the Quran as the Word of God revealed to Muhammad through the angel Jibrael. Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable and the purpose of life is to worship him and to adhere to his word, as laid down in the Quran, and in Sunnah , as closely as possible. They believe that Islam is the final, completed and universal version of a faith revealed too many prophets before; most notably Abraham, Moses and Jesus, but whose message has now been distorted. 3. Describe the practices of Islam. The practices of Islam are based on the ubiquitous “Five Pillars”. These are, in order of importance, Shahadah or acceptance of One-ness of God, Salat or five daily Prayers, Saum or Fasting in the month of Ramadan, Zakat or obligatory Alms-giving, Hajj or Pilgrimage to...

Words: 1258 - Pages: 6