This post has been prompted by some recent messages that I have heard, as well as a few sermons that I have read in GARBC circles. As you read this post, please do so with an open mind regardless of what preconceived notions or opinions you may have. As always, comments and insight are welcome!
There have been a surge of messages, possibly because of the season, about the incarnation of Christ. During these messages Pastors have stated repeatedly that Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. Any grade school child can tell you that if something is already 100% of any quality there is no room left for any other quality, or the percentage must change. This is mathematical and scientific fact. Before you berate me for this, let us consider what the Bible asserts on this matter. I know as well as you that with God all things are possible, but is this a 100% thing a claim that the Bible itself makes, or is it the invention of man?
Let me also say that I recognize how popular this assertion has become. Men that I greatly respect (some of whom I will leave unnamed) have been making this assertion for years. Some of these men are quite thorough in supplying verses to their claim. We will take a few minutes to examine these.
Jesus’ Human Body
It is clear enough from the New Testament that Jesus has a human body. John 1:14: “The Word became flesh.” Jesus’ humanity is one of the first tests of orthodoxy (1 John 4:2; 2 John 7). Jesus was born (Luke 2:7). He grew (Luke 2:40, 52). He grew tired (John 4:6) and got thirsty (John 19:28). He got hungry (Matthew 4:2) and was physically weak (Matthew 4:11; Luke 23:26). He died (Luke 23:46). And he had a real human body after his resurrection (Luke 24:39; John 20:20, 27).
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus clearly displays human emotions. When Jesus heard the centurion’s words of faith, “he marveled” (Matthew 8:10). He says in Matthew 26:38 that his “soul is very sorrowful, even to death.” In John 11:33-35, Jesus is “deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” and even weeps. John 12:27 says, “Now is my soul troubled,” and in John 13:21, he is “troubled in his spirit.” The author to the Hebrews writes that “Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears” (Hebrews 5:7) John Calvin memorably summed it up: “Christ has put on our feelings along with our flesh.”
Jesus also has a human mind. Two key texts make this undeniable:
Luke 2:52: “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.”
Mark 13:32: “Concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Those are the statements of John Piper on his website. http://www.desiringgod.org/ Those were an excerpt from his message on Jesus being fully human. I am not disagreeing with any of John's claims here, however, his conclusion is suspect. You cannot make the jump from Jesus having a human body, emotions (which John never proves are human - God has emotions), and a human brain to the idea that Jesus was fully human. (or 100% human as others claim). The reason for this is that the Bible teaches us that man is more than just flesh and blood.
In I Thess. 5:23 Paul tells us what being human comprises. "23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
From this verse we can clearly see that being human requires three human parts. The spirit returns to God upon death. Ecc. 12:7 "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." This also tells us that the body goes to the grave. What about our soul? Well we all know the answer to that, some go to heaven, some to hell. You can refer to Luke 16:19-31 to see where those were when Christ was on earth.
What else does the Bible say about being human? Genesis 4:1 "And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD." The Bible teaches that it takes a man and a woman to make a human child. Who was the father of Jesus? Luke 1:35 teaches that it was the Holy Ghost. And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. We could spend some time talking about the sin nature here as I believe it is passed down through the fathers. Jeremiah 32:18 Thou showest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name, Exodus 20:5 and 34:7 as well as Num. 14:18 and Deut. 5:9 all address this same thing.
We know that Christ had no sin nature, no earthly father, and the Bible never ascribes Him with a human soul. How, after all this, can we teach that He was 100% human? I believe that when we teach this doctrine, we are bordering on heresy!
Philippians 2:6-11 " 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
The Bible says that He took on the "likeness of men." He was "in fashion as a man,"
This is critical. Christ had to take on human form to be the sacrifice. God doesn't bleed. Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." The Bible also says in Hebrews 10:4-5 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. 5Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
Jesus having a human body in no way teaches that he was "100%" or "fully" human. If this has been your teaching I would ask that you reconsider in the light of clear scriptural evidence to the contrary. With loving respect, Jon
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8 comments:
Food for thought, certainly. This is a subject in which I had always wondered about and yet hadn't taken the time to study for myself. I've heard many a sermon on this subject and the "100% human and yet 100% God" always sat uneasily with me.
So how do we reconcile that Jesus was perfect, yet able to sin (if He had no sin nature -- not being born of a human father). And if He wasn't able to sin, how does that fit into our theology in that he knows our temptations etc.? Or do you think He was incapable of sinning since He is God and God cannot abide sin.
The theology that He knows our temptations because He had a human body is flawed before we ever consider whether or not He was tempted to sin. Remember, even before he became flesh He was part of the Trinity. This means He was God.
Do you think that God needed to become flesh to know what you are going through? What about the people who lived 4,000 years before Christ came? Did God not understand what they were going through?
Our God is omniscient. He did not have to take on flesh to know what we experience or to understand how we feel.
As far as whether or not Jesus was tempted to sin...James 1:13 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
Our thinking that He could be tempted by sin rests soley on Hebrews 4:15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
(or, not by sin)
"16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
It is the writers objective here for us to understand that Jesus experienced the frailty of a human body. I do not believe it was the writers intent to teach that Christ had a desire to sin or even could sin. He hates sin. He does however know what it is like to desire a drink. He has been thirsty.
". . . but was in all points tempted like as we are . . ." refers only to the frailty of his body? "But in all points" seems to indicate in "every way." Which would include temptations of all kinds.
And do I assume that you believe that Jesus was only 2/3rds of a man or thereabouts since He didn't/doesn't have the soul of a man?
What you are saying makes sense to me, don't misunderstand, please. I am just trying to reconcile what I've always been taught or thought I was being taught with what you are teaching.
"Was in all points...yet without sin" This means that he was not tempted by sin. I know that some people think that it means he didn't sin. Well we know that he didn't sin, but that is not all this verse means. He was tempted, yet not to sin.
We cannot interpret it any other way or it contradicts a variety of other scriptures. No prophecy (verse is of any private interpretation.
I haven't heard anyone else interpret "yet without sin" as "not by sin." I guess that was what was tripping me up in my last comments. In light of other verses, though, it makes more sense. Otherwise James 1:14 and Hebrews 4:15 seem to contradict. How did you come to understand that "yet without sin" means "not by sin?" Just curious.
I recognize that everyone reads and interprets things a little differently. This is not necessarily bad unless your interpretation contradicts with other scripture. When you find that it does, it is time to revisit these verses with an open mind, and an attitude of prayer. The Lord is longing for each of us to discover spiritual truths through His Spirit, rather than being spoon fed by others. When we approach our study in this manner, it strengthens our relationship with Him, and increases our understanding.
Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
I hate tomatoes! You can tempt me with all types of food, yet without tomatoes. (I cannot be tempted by tomatoes)
Thanks for the conversation. I appreciate your insight and will be back often for more.
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