" But, "John" is writing it... :) o, why do you believe John?"
All that matters is what Jesus said and whether I believe that. That's all I'm concerned with. If what He said doesn't make sense and doesn't provide a logically perfect reference that's a key to knowing and understanding all the rest of what was said in the Book, then I have no faith in what any of them said.
"I am not lost reading Homer's Iliad, but I don't believe it it historically factual either."
Irrelevant.
"Paul was "all thing to all men" so he told them what they wanted to hear. But one thing he does make sure is not to confuse Jesus with God. For example, (Phil 2:6) "who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped" A form of God? That's like image of God; it ain't God."
Phil 2:6,7, " 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
OR Young's literal trans: "6who, being in the form of God, thought [it] not robbery to be equal to God, 7but did empty himself, the form of a servant having taken, in the likeness of men having been made, "
You must have missed the equality with God part. All men are in the Image of God, but not all are equal to God. Jesus = God is a claim being made in that passage.
"Paul makes sure we understand...
Paul's not God, Jesus is. The words of Jesus carry more weight than Paul.
"John, likewise, does not confuse "being one" with the Father (like the disciples being "one" with Jesus) does not make Jesus God the Father.
John 1:1, " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14, "14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
The fact that John thought Jesus was God Himself, in Person could not be more clear.
"John quotes Jesus as saying not only that the Father is greater than Jesus (John 14:28)but that Jesus actually refers to the Father his God (John 20:17). God calling God his God? Get real."
John 20:17, "Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
What part of it don't you like? Is it where God acknowledges the Father as His own and calls Him God as one of His fraternal brothers? Maybe you think He should have distanced Himself from such a bunch and have been a much more arrogant son.
What you believe is your business. It doesn't prove that it's true, and repeating that you believe it is not going to prove it either.
All men are in the Image of God, but not all are equal to God. Jesus = God is a claim being made in that passage
No, the only claim is that he was in "the form" of God, just as humans are in "the image" of God. Everywhere else, Paul makes it clear that he is not equal to God. That much is clear.
The words of Jesus carry more weight than Paul.
Sure, but Jesus never said he was equal to God. To the contrary, he said he was the Father is greater than he is and even called the Father his God.
John 1:1, " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14, "14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." The fact that John thought Jesus was God Himself, in Person could not be more clear.
Well, to use your own argument with Paul, John is no Jesus. I have already asked you why do you believe men, like John (when it suits you) and what matters is only what Jesus (is quoted to) have said?
How does John know what was in the "beginning"? And the "with God" in Greek reads "towards God", and the "he was God" in Greek reads "he was a God." [Greek also didn't have capitals]
How can God be "with" God? And if the Father and the Son are the same person, as you claim, then not only did the Son become flesh but also the Father according to Spunketism 101.
The fact that John thought Jesus was God Himself, in Person could not be more clear
But it also couldn;t be more clear that Jesus stated the Father (who in your convoluted theology is the same person as the Son) is greater than he is! It's like spunkets saying spunkets is greater than spunkets!
What part of it don't you like? Is it where God acknowledges the Father as His own and calls Him God as one of His fraternal brothers?
If Jesus is the same God (and you say person) as the Father then he can't call the Father "his God".