Phoenix tribune., 1923-02-24
THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST


Owing to the fact that many of our readers, are in
erested in the discussion that is going in the public
press because of certain denas of the fundamental ten
cts of the Christian faith by individuals of prominence
here and there ii only wise that The Tribune should
present certain facts that may clarity any confusion that
may have arisen in their minds. One very common as
seron is to the effect that the Snoptc Gospels that is
to say, St Matthew ST. Mark and ST. Luke, contain no
statements that indicate prove that Blessed Lord
believed Himself to be God Such writer's and speakers
virtually reject the authority of the 4th Gospel that
cording to St John because of its unmstakabe teaching
concerning Chrst's Diety. There are, however many
passages in the Synoptics which implicitly and
picty, strong those in st. John Here then a
few of these passages which reue the assertion that
Christ has no claim to being divine.
''When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Phil
ppi He asked His disciples saying, Whom do say
that the Son of man ans? And they said Some say that
Thou John the Baptist; some, Elias; and Others Jer
emas of the prophets He said unto them, But
whom say We that am?' And Simon Peter answered and
said Thou the Christ the Son of the Living God
And Jesus answered and said unto him. Blessed art thou
Simon Balona for flesh and blood hath not revealed
unto thee but My Father which is in Heaven ST. Mat
thew 16:13-17.
Our Lord here raises the question as to Who and
What He is 1t involves the assertion that He is the Son
of Man 1t is a sechosen name, which Jesus applies to
Himself With only two exceptions Acts So and Rev
144 He is the only One in the New Testament who ap
plies this title to Himself What does it mean? To all
who heard Him clear assertion and claim of Mes
siahship. And the Messanic idea and ideal involves a
vast deal than estical relationship to God But
note St Peters reply: ''THOU ART THE CHRIST
THE son OF THE LIVING GOD Not merely of
the great prophets with their human limitations but one
whose personality ranscends theirs Jesus accepts ST.
Peters confession the true acknowledgement of His
divine personality, comends him for it and traces his
enlightenment concerning this great mystery of His,
Chiss being, to its Source direct revelation from the
Father in Heaven Had ST. Peters statement meant
merely to sOnshp by virtue of membership in the old
Thcocacv there would have been nothing distinctive
about it. to ake it impossible for 'flesh and blood
to have drawn this conclusion Such obvious inference
would not have made special divine revelation necessary
1t because it involved infinitely than this that
it elected the significant commendation of the Master
and His profound words concerning the establishment OF
His lnca1naOn against which the gates of hell shall not
prevail
Space forbds enlargement upon this passage, except
to that its teachings cannot be confined to any mere
humanlsc view OF Christ 1t involves stupendous claims
and authority upon the part of Jesus of Nazareth which
only be justified upon the assumption that He is D
vine. ''Son of Man. yes Very of very ''Son
of Cod yes. Very God of very God. Two whole and
perfect natures united in One Divine Person All of
this is involved in Lords question and in ST. Peters
answer And this from St Matthew, one of the three
Synoptc Gospels.
In His trial before the High Priest as recorded by ST.
Mark these significant words: Again the High
Priest asked Him and said unto Him. Art Thou the Christ
the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, am; and ye
shall the Son of Man sitting the right hand of pow
and coming in the clouds of Heaven St Mark 14:6
So "Ye have heard the blasphemy' replied the high
priest What think ye?" And they all condemned Him
guilty Of death His blasphemy' consisted in making
claims of EQUALITY WITH GOD in other Words be
ing God. This of course, is blasphemy if not true.
Throughout the Snoptic Gospels Jesus claims author
ty to forgive SINS absolve from guilt pentent sinners
This is admittedly Divine prerogative, which brought
Him frequently into conflict with His hearers who raised
this question: 'Who can forgive sins but God?'' And
vet Jesus mhesitangly claimed this power
The Synoptic Gospels SITS Matthew, Mark anc Luke
contain passage after passage, in which Jesus implicitly
and explicitly lays claim to being God These stipend
bV (TOSDel of