The Doctrine of the Divinity of Jesus was an Addition to Christianity c. 80-100 C.E.

Thanks to my opponent for a very concise and well thought out second round! I must admit, I have debated this topic more than a few times with those who were not so well versed as my opponent appears. I commend him for that! Nonetheless, I've taken great pleasure in debating this issue with both Jews and Muslims alike. In their view, Jesus cannot be God 'YHWH' due to a variety of reasons that I ultimately find troublesome... Hopefully in this round, I will best display why I think otherwise. *Note: I will be adopting the Instigators form of organization in order to keep the rounds better structured. C). The Divinity of Jesus is compatible with Judaism in the first century and today1). Doctrine of the Trinity does not contradict the Shema/OT depiction of unity To begin, we must have a solid understanding of God's Triune nature as depicted in Christian theology.. Here is its essence in its most simplistic form:"the Christian Godhead as one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."That is, God exists as one being in three personsa being is the "what"a person is the "who"Therefore, when we say God exists as Father, Son, and Holy spirit. We are not alluding to 3 separate beings, but rather, 3 "who's" is 1 "what". Here is an illustration to further our understanding: It is EXTREMELY crucial to understand this point. My opponent as well as other "non divine" Jesus holders will point to instances were Jesus prays to God as proof that Jesus cannot be God. This again, lies a huge misunderstanding of the Trinity... While Jesus and the Father are both God ("what"), they are separate persons ("who").. Therefore, it does not prove a contradiction that Jesus prayed to the Father.. Just like the Father sending the Son into the world (John 3:16).. The Son does not send the Father.. Each "Person" performs a different role within the Godhead. The question now remains: Does the Trinity contradict the main tenets of the Shema "Hear O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one"? Not at all! Notice the word use to describe Gods Unity is 'ehad' (אֶחָד).. "The Lord is one(אֶחָד)". Does this mean an absolute unity or a complex unity?absolute - completely and wholly one without any distinctive partscomplex - multiple parts comprising a singular unitThe issue with the absolute unity hypothesis is use of 'ehad' in other biblical verse's that display a complex unity. Gen 2.24--the man and his wife will be one (ehad) flesh--clearly a complex unity.2 Samuel 2:25--many soldiers made themselves into one (ehad) group Joshua 9.2 -- the western kings agree to fight Joshua as "one (ehad) force"In all of these examples, we see the word 'ehad' used to describe oneness within multiple parts. Therefore, the Shema does not limit us to an absolute unity of God.2). Divine incarnations in the OT Now, in Jewish understanding, It is impossible for God to cease to be God and inhabit a human form (Jesus) in which, seeing Jesus would literally mean seeing God in his exact nature. It is however, possible for the Jews to believe that God is capable of revealing Himself in the "tent of a human body while remaining in heaven.Its interesting that in multiple passages in the OT, we find this exact thing happening. I.e God revealing Himself in a specific form. Exodus 24:9-11 - Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and 70 of Israel's elders, and they saw the God of Israel. . . . God did not harm the Israelite nobles; they saw Him, and they ate and drank.We see that the God of Israel actually ate and drank with the Israelites, they actually saw Him! How can this be if it is impossible for God to inhabit a form? Their are also numerous passages of "The angel of the Lord" where this angel is worshipped as God and proclaimed as God.. Jacob stayed apart by himself, and a man wrestled with him until dawn broke. -He said to Jacob, “What’s your name?” and he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name won’t be Jacob any longer, but Israel, because you struggled with God and with men and won.” 29 Jacob also asked and said, “Tell me your name.” But he said, “Why do you ask for my name?” and he blessed Jacob there. 30 Jacob named the place Peniel, “because I’ve seen God face-to-face, and my life has been saved.” Interesting that after Jacob wrestles with the Angel, he claims to have seen God face to face... 14 He said, “Neither! I’m the commander of the Lord’s heavenly force. Now I have arrived!” Then Joshua fell flat on his face and worshipped. Joshua said to him, “What is my master saying to his servant?” - Joshua 5:14 This angel is worshipped as the Lord? How can that be since other angels would never dare accept worship... This all starts to make sense when we look back to Genesis in which God is seen inhabiting the form of an angel:The Lord appeared to Abraham at the oaks of Mamre while he sat at the entrance of his tent in the day’s heat. - but Abraham remained standing in front of the Lord. - they ate and drank" Genesis 18This verse couldn't be any more clear, we see that the Lord had dust feet (Genesis 18:8) and literally ate and drank with Abraham and Sarah.. This is no more different from the doctrine of the incarnation, in which, God reveals Himself in the form of Jesus Christ while also remaining God of the universe. The Trinity then stands perfectly in line with Jewish thought. D). The New Testament claims divinity for Jesus 1). Pauline Christology It is understood that the 13 Pauline epistles (including Philippians, Ephesians, Romans) were generally written earlier than even the gospels themselves.. Mostly in the range of 50-60A.D. They provide the earliest attestation to the Christian conception of Jesus and are pinnacle scriptures regarding early church history.. Lets take a look at what they display: (Jesus) who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped. - Philippians 2:6 I want to stress the importance of this verse.. This again, is an early Christian creed/hymn that Paul is quoting in his exhortation to the Philippians which MODERN SECULAR scholars date to within 3-4 years after Jesus death! Paul is clearly identifying Jesus as "in the form of God"! How much more closer to a divine depiction can you get? “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” - Colossians 1:15-18 We see here that Jesus is said to be "the firstborn of all creation".. In which all things are made. Sounds like a eternally divine depiction does it not? We also see many, many instances where Paul inserts certain phrases which are attributed to YHWH in the OT to Jesus.. Take for example Philippians 2:10- God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.This is a direct reference to Isaiah 45 in which YHWH proclaims that every knee will bow to His glory.. It is extremely clear that Paul saw Jesus as more than an angel or some heavily being.. but rather, Lord of all creation. YHWH Himself.2). Hebrews Christology To further understand NT Christology, we will look at the book of Hebrews. The writer of this book is anonymous and is dated to about 64 A.D.. Lets look at what it proclaims.. All we have to do is look at the first chapter..Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.We also see: "After making purification of Sins, he sat down at the right hand of Majesty on high." All of these verse's show the context in which Jesus is to be seen in Hebrew's Christology. Namely, that Jesus is superior to the angels and is the only begotten Son of God.. In whom, the entire world is created and upholded by HIS word of power. Very clear indeed. Conclusion:Getting off of my theological soap box.. I sincerely hope I portrayed both the NT view of Jesus and Jewish doctrinal connections to Christianity as objectively and accurately as possible. I want to leave this round with the main 'take a ways' that I think we should keep fresh in our minds... D). The Divinity of Jesus is compatible with Judaism1). Understanding the Trinity2). the Trinity does not contradict the Shema 3). Previous incarnations in the OT displays how its possible for Jesus to be God and man in Jewish understanding E). NT claims Divinity of Jesus1). Pauline Christology displays Jesus as YHWH and Creator. 2). Hebrew Christology displays Jesus as the Son of God and Creator, in line with Pauline Christology Lets also note that taking the entire NT into context, we find that it is impossible to make a case for a "non-divine" Jesus and have the NT be inherent in its very nature.. I will display this in the later rounds. Thanks for reading! Back to Pro