Was Jesus Really the Son of God?

"I must confess, that a man is guilty of unpardonable arrogance, who concludes, because an argument has escaped his own investigation, that therefore it does not really exist. I must also confess that, though all the learned, for several ages, should have employed themselves in fruitless search upon any subject, it may still, perhaps, be rash to conclude positively that the subject must, therefore, pass all human comprehension. Even though we examine all the sources of our knowledge, and conclude them unfit for such a subject, there may still remain a suspicion, that the enumeration is not complete, or the examination is not accurate. But with regard to the present subject, there are some considerations which seem to remove all this accusation of arrogance or suspicion of mistake." (page 39 of "An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding" by David Hume)

"Black Jesus" by Tupac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmNjHV6f8Fw

I first posted this essay as a Facebook note in the summer of 2009. I would be remiss if I did not express my appreciation to all those who contributed to the many spirited conversations. Thank you. :-)

In the Gospels, Jesus consistently refers to himself as the Son of Man. He even places the Holy Ghost above him. “And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him, but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come” (Matthew 12:32) This verse is essentially repeated in Mark 3:28 and in Luke 12:10.

Interestingly, in the Gospel of John, those verses are noticeably absent. Instead, one will find arguably the most famous verse in the New Testament, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

If Jesus is God’s only son, how can we also be children of God? If Jesus is God’s only son, we would essentially be God’s nieces and nephews. It seems more likely that we are all God’s children, including Jesus. However, unlike the rest of us, Jesus was not born into sin. “…His mother Mary was engaged to be married to Joseph, and before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 1:18)

Let us not forget the Holy Ghost did not make Jesus entirely unique. John the Baptist also had unusual circumstances surrounding his birth. “…He shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.” (Luke 1:15)

Jesus asks, "Why call ye me Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46) How can we focus on the divinity of Jesus and his teachings at the same time? Is not a double minded man unstable in all his ways? (James 1:8)

The more time we spend preaching matters of faith as in the divinity of Jesus and his resurrection, there is less time to preach his message; simply, love all as he loved all and being as little children to enter the kingdom of God. Would Jesus want us to worship and praise him on Sunday, or would he want us to perform good deeds, blessing those who wronged us 7 days a week?

Jesus was simply an Apostle of God, a man, and tempted to sin like we all are. Why would we pray to Jesus for strength and guidance, when Jesus prayed to God to be strengthened by the Holy Ghost which gave him the power to perform miracles and to speak the Word of God?

In Revelation 21:7, God said "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; And I will be his God, And he shall be my son." I sincerely believe God was speaking about all of us and not only Jesus.