Is Jesus a Liar, a Lunatic, or Lord?
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Caravaggio's The Incredulity of Saint Thomas
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In his famous "trilemma," CS Lewis presented three options regarding Jesus: liar, lunatic, or Lord. However, in more recent times, a fourth option has emerged—legend. This notion suggests that Jesus may have been a mere mortal whose story later became embellished into legend. But is this really the case? Today, we'll delve into 1 John 1:1-4 to explore three reasons why Jesus is not just a legend, and why this matters for us.
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The Apostles Were Eyewitnesses of Jesus: John, the author of this letter, emphasizes the importance of eyewitness testimony. He asserts that what they heard, saw, and touched concerning Jesus is foundational to their message. This is not blind faith but a testimony based on tangible experience. John's aim is not to persuade hardened skeptics but to affirm the truth to believers. The Apostles' firsthand encounters with Jesus refute the notion that he was merely a legend.
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The Apostles Had a High View of Jesus: Contrary to the belief that Jesus' divinity was a later development, John's language in 1 John 1:1-4 indicates a high Christology from the beginning. He refers to Jesus as "the Word of Life," connecting him with divine attributes. This early recognition of Jesus as the Son of God challenges the idea of a late legendary embellishment. The Apostles' belief in Jesus' divine nature is evident from the earliest Christian writings.
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The Apostles Gave Their Lives for Jesus: The ultimate testimony to the Apostles' conviction is their willingness to sacrifice everything for the sake of spreading the Gospel. They endured persecution, ridicule, and martyrdom to proclaim the truth about Jesus. Their commitment to the message of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection speaks volumes about their sincerity. It is inconceivable that they would devote their lives to a fabrication or legend.
Conclusion: As we reflect on the evidence presented in 1 John 1:1-4, we are confronted with a choice: Was Jesus a liar, a lunatic, a legend, or is He truly Lord? The Apostles' unwavering testimony challenges us to consider the reality of Jesus' identity. Perhaps, even now, Jesus is calling out to us, inviting us to embrace Him as Lord and Savior. The truth of Jesus' life and teachings offers hope and salvation to all who would believe.
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This article content is sourced from a sermon written by Mat Alexander, Pastor of First Baptist Church Gadsden.
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In the coming months, Skeptics Welcome will be updating this space to share more about the good news found in Christ. We hope to be a place for resources and information that will be useful for people in any stage of their journey.
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For now, during this Easter season, we would like to encourage people to visit a church to learn more about or reconnect with the Gospel. There are links below to several churches in the Gadsden area:
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