Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ

John 8:58 Before Abraham Was Born, I Am

At the climax of a rather heated exchange between Jesus and certain antagonistic Jews, Jesus uttered what has become for some, a proof text of his preexistence in heaven as God.John 8:58-59 (NASB) Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. (emphasis added)When the above passage is read, especially without the preceding context, it appears the Jews…

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June 4, 2019

Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ

The Father and I are One: An Examination of John 10:30

One of the more popular verses quoted in an attempt to prove the deity of Christ, and subsequently the doctrine of the Trinity, consists of six simple words: John 10:30 (NASB) "I and the Father are one." Is Jesus is claiming that he and the Father share the same essence; that they are both God? We'll examine the context in which this verse appears, as well as the original Psalm that Jesus quotes in defense of his claim. We'll also consult with Trinitarian scholars to…

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May 28, 2019

Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ / How to Read the Bible / Preexistence

Jesus Came Down From Heaven

The Importance of Understanding Jewish Idioms What could be more clear? When Jesus said he came down from heaven, it's obvious proof that he preexisted in heaven. John 6:38 (NASB) "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (emphasis added) But is this what Jesus was trying to convey? Is it possible that the first century Jewish audience would have understood his statement to mean something other than a literal pre-existence in…

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May 14, 2019

Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ / Church History / Dual Natures of Christ / Preexistence

John 1:1 The Jewish Mind vs Greek Philosophy (Part 3)

The Jewish Mind vs Greek PhilosophyIn part 1 and part 2 of this series we looked at three textual considerations having to do with grammar and the translators' bias in the prologue to John's gospel. First, we saw that "Word" (logos) was incorrectly capitalized, inferring that it was a person that pre-existed with God. Second, we learned that the translators failed to follow standard translation methods when they referred to "word" (logos) as a "he" and "him" instead of an "it" which the English calls for…

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May 8, 2019

Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ / Dual Natures of Christ / Preexistence

John 1:1 The Jewish Mind vs The Translators’ Bias (Part 2)

In part 1 of The Jewish Mind vs The Translators' Bias, we began our examination of what is commonly viewed as the quintessential proof text for Jesus' pre-existence: the prologue to John's gospel. John 1:1-3 (NASB) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. The Translators' Bias…

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April 26, 2019

Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ / Dual Natures of Christ / Preexistence

John 1:1 The Jewish Mind vs The Translators’ Bias (Part 1)

Invariably Trinitarians point to John 1:1-3 as the key passage in their defense of Jesus' deity and by extension, the doctrine of the Trinity. This article begins a multi-part treatment of John's prologue in which we will compare what his Jewish contemporaries would have understood it to mean versus how Trinitarian scholars translated it centuries later. Begin With the End in MindOne of the habits Steven Covey wrote about in his popular book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is that we should, "Begin with…

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April 23, 2019

Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ / Guest Posts / How to Read the Bible / Preexistence

John 1:1 – Fifty Plus English Translations

by Sir Anthony Buzzard Reprinted with permission: FocusOnTheKingdom.org John 1:1 - Fifty Plus English Translations The opening verses of the Gospel of John have proven to be, unfortunately, a veritable battleground and storm center of theological argument. Translators have often edited John to make him fit much later systems of theology. John had never heard of the “Trinity,” the mystifying proposition that God is one and yet three. Jesus knew nothing of that teaching. Jesus was a Jew and he publicly affirmed, as…

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April 23, 2019

Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ / Who is Jesus

Son of God: Proof of Jesus’ Deity?

Scripture reveals Jesus to be a man of many titles. For example, one of the most frequent titles used in relation to Jesus is Son of God. But what does this designation mean? Can it be used synonymously with the title God the Son as is so often the case in Churches today? Indeed, under the instruction of Trinitarian pastors, teachers and leaders, we have become accustomed to treating these two titles as equivalent. This tradition is so pervasive that often when we read the…

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April 19, 2019