Replies

Here again we see that Jesus clearly, consistently, openly said he was "Son of God", "Son of Man", Messiah/Christ.
He never explicitly claimed to be God Himself.

Obviously, you are stating we cannot prove Jesus is God.

It may surprise you, but I agree that we cannot prove to your satisfaction Jesus is God.

Evidence is objective and proof subjective. We have presented considerable evidence that Jesus is God, and even used His own words in the process. You have to decide if the evidence presented rises to the level of proof, and if it does you are responsible to respond in faith to Christ. However, you do not have the final say in this matter, because the Lord knows if you are rejecting the light or not, and He will judge you on that basis. (John 3:19)

You state, “Here again we see that Jesus clearly, consistently, openly said he was "Son of God", "Son of Man", Messiah/Christ”

You are willing to accept Him as only a man, and that goes to the heart of the problem. When your Jesus speaks he voices an opinion…nothing more. He is simply a philosopher, with empty words.

The Jesus of the Bible is totally different. His words are eternal and always true. He speaks with an authority lacking in your Jesus.

I do not have the right to judge your heart or final destination. However, I will emphatically state your views are heretical and have no place in Christianity, and from everything I have studied and read unless you repent you will be damned.

GarySpFc: "Obviously, you are stating we cannot prove Jesus is God.
It may surprise you, but I agree that we cannot prove to your satisfaction Jesus is God."

FRiend, Gary, you have it backwards.
I'm not asking you to prove anything to me.
I'm not here hoping to prove anything to you.
I'm here to request that people who hold views similar to our Founding Fathers, and "restorationists" Christians today, be treated with forbearance and respect on Free Republic's News/Activism forum.

GarySpFc: "Evidence is objective and proof subjective.
We have presented considerable evidence that Jesus is God, and even used His own words in the process."

But in fact, you've presented no evidence and quoted no words to support your case.
The evidence and words you do present support mine.

I, of course, am totally satisfied with your understandings -- they work for you, and they are not a problem for me.
I don't reject you, I don't condemn you, I don't call you "God Damned Heretics", I know you are sincere and well intentioned in your Christian beliefs.

I am only here to request the same forbearance and respect for those who -- as many Founders and "restorationists" -- believe(d) differently.

GarySpFc: "You are willing to accept Him as only a man, and that goes to the heart of the problem.
When your Jesus speaks he voices an opinion…nothing more.
He is simply a philosopher, with empty words."

FRiend, I've said no such things, you are only imagining them.
What I actually believe is what I think the New Testament clearly presents: the divinity of Christ (Son of God) and the Unity of God.
Yes, I "get" that from some theological perspective or other, this might be a problem for some people.
That's why I don't ask you to accept my beliefs.

But I am here to ask that you treat such understandings with forbearance and respect, especially on Free Republic's News/Activism forum.