The Problem of Jesus

1. Jesus' life and teachings challenge our understanding of God and ourselves

Jesus is after followership. He is not merely interested in saving our souls, meeting our needs, and healing our hurts. He intends that we operate under His authority for the rest of our lives and for all eternity.

Jesus redefined God. He presented a vision of God that was radically different from the prevailing religious and philosophical ideas of his time. Rather than a distant, impersonal deity or a harsh, judgmental figure, Jesus revealed God as a loving Father who seeks relationship with humanity.

Jesus challenged human nature. He taught that true fulfillment comes not from self-actualization or adherence to religious rules, but from self-denial and following him. This paradoxical teaching upends our natural inclinations and cultural norms.

Jesus confronted societal norms. He associated with outcasts, challenged religious authorities, and redefined ideas of power and success. His life and teachings continue to provoke and inspire, forcing us to reconsider our assumptions about God, ourselves, and the world.

2. The historical evidence for Jesus' existence is compelling

To simply "give some shrewd moral teaching to the world? . . . We may be forgiven for thinking [that] a little lame. It also seems quite untrue to Jesus' own understanding of his vocation and work.

Multiple sources confirm Jesus' existence. Non-Christian historical sources, including Roman and Jewish writers, mention Jesus and provide corroborating evidence for key events in his life.

Archaeological discoveries support Gospel accounts. Numerous archaeological findings have confirmed details about places, people, and customs mentioned in the Gospels, lending credibility to their historical accuracy.

Early Christian writings are consistent. The earliest Christian writings, including Paul's letters and the Gospels, present a coherent picture of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, despite being written by different authors for different audiences.

3. Jesus claimed to be God through words and actions

Jesus offered membership in the renewed people of the covenant God on his own authority and by his own process.

Divine titles and attributes. Jesus used divine titles for himself, such as "I AM" (echoing God's name in Exodus), and claimed attributes that only God possesses, like the ability to forgive sins and judge the world.

Miraculous actions. Jesus performed miracles that demonstrated divine power over nature, sickness, and death, often in ways that echoed Old Testament descriptions of God's actions.

Implicit claims. Many of Jesus' teachings and actions implicitly claimed divine authority, such as reinterpreting the Law of Moses and accepting worship from his followers.

4. Jesus' parables reveal profound truths about God's kingdom

Jesus told stories because, if his audience had ears to hear, their "old souls" would hear a call from a land they had not visited, but one they somehow knew.

Subversive storytelling. Jesus used parables to challenge prevailing assumptions about God, morality, and human nature. These stories often had surprising twists that forced listeners to reconsider their beliefs.

Accessible yet profound. The parables use everyday scenarios and objects to convey deep spiritual truths, making complex ideas accessible to a wide audience while still challenging deep thinkers.

Multi-layered meanings. Many of Jesus' parables operate on multiple levels, offering immediate lessons while also pointing to larger themes of God's kingdom, human nature, and spiritual realities.

5. The miracles of Jesus point to a deeper spiritual reality

Every physical healing pointed back to a time in Eden when physical bodies did not go blind, get crippled, or bleed nonstop for twelve years—and also pointed forward to a time of re-creation to come.

Signs of God's kingdom. Jesus' miracles were not mere displays of power but signs that God's kingdom was breaking into the world, reversing the effects of sin and brokenness.

Restoration of wholeness. Many of Jesus' healings restored people not just physically but socially and spiritually, reintegrating them into community and relationship with God.

Prophetic actions. Miracles like feeding the multitudes and calming storms echoed Old Testament prophetic actions, demonstrating Jesus' divine authority and fulfillment of messianic expectations.

6. Jesus' death on the cross was the ultimate act of love and sacrifice

Jesus saves us from our "pagan secularism," as well as our conservative, family-based, religious lifestyle. Both are characterized by slavery to selfish desires, but for different reasons.

Substitutionary atonement. Jesus' death was not just a tragic martyrdom but a purposeful sacrifice to bear the punishment for human sin and reconcile humanity to God.

Demonstration of God's love. The cross reveals the depth of God's love for humanity, willing to suffer and die to restore relationship with his creation.

Victory over evil. Through his death, Jesus defeated the powers of sin, death, and evil, setting in motion the redemption of all creation.

7. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christian faith

Christianity was born into a world where its central claim was known to be false.

Historical evidence. The empty tomb, post-resurrection appearances, and transformation of the disciples provide compelling evidence for the resurrection as a historical event.

Unique claim. The resurrection of Jesus was unprecedented in ancient thought, challenging both Jewish and Greco-Roman worldviews and requiring explanation.

Cornerstone of faith. The resurrection validates Jesus' claims about himself and his mission, serving as the foundation for Christian theology and hope.

8. Following Jesus requires a radical reorientation of one's life

The way to disengage the heart from the love of one great object is to fasten it to another. It's not about exposing the worthlessness of the old affection but exposing the worth and excellence of the new one.

Denial of self. Jesus calls his followers to deny their own desires and ambitions, placing his will and kingdom first in their lives.

New identity. Following Jesus means adopting a new identity as a child of God and member of his kingdom, transcending cultural, ethnic, and social boundaries.

Lifelong process. Discipleship is not a one-time decision but a ongoing journey of transformation, requiring continual surrender and growth.

9. Christianity offers a unique perspective on suffering and hope

There are many reasons why, but they all come down to one: we don't really believe that the best is yet to come. We lack faith that the future Jesus promises is real . . .

Redemptive suffering. Christianity sees suffering not as meaningless but as potentially redemptive, with Christ's own suffering providing the ultimate example.

Present and future hope. The Christian message offers hope both for the present life (through God's presence and power) and for eternity (through resurrection and new creation).

Transformed perspective. The gospel reframes our understanding of success, failure, and purpose, allowing believers to find meaning and joy even in difficult circumstances.

10. The exclusivity of Jesus as the way to God is both scandalous and logical

Jesus offered membership in the renewed people of the covenant God on his own authority and by his own process.

Unique claims. Jesus' claim to be the only way to God is consistent with his other claims about his identity and mission, making it logically coherent within Christian theology.

Universal offer. While exclusive in its claims, Christianity is inclusive in its invitation, offering salvation to people of all backgrounds and cultures.

Implications for other worldviews. The exclusivity of Jesus challenges other religious and philosophical systems, requiring thoughtful engagement and response.

Last updated: July 25, 2024