“Jesus was just a good moral teacher.” “he was a very wise religious leader.”
In response to this lazy opinion, C.S Lewis-Professor at Cambridge and once agnostic-argues “a man who was merely a man and said the sorts of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.” Going on to say he would either be a lunatic-on par with a man who claims to be a poached egg-or else he would be extremely wicked and deceitful. “…let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.”
Liar:
He claimed to be God and the only way to salvation. The sceptics obviously don’t believe this so instantly he has told a mistruth in their view, making him a liar or lunatic. How in the name of logic, common sense and experience, could an impostor-that is a deceitful, selfish, depraved man- have invented and consistently maintained from beginning to end the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality. And why would such an impostor be ready to suffer threats, persecution and eventually be tortured to death over a lie? It can’t have been because of ego because it would have been far easier to be worshiped as God literally anywhere else in the world, but instead he preached to the most deeply and strictly religious community there was. He could have had more success and more importantly, safety.
Lunatic:
The teachings of a supposed madman, over the course of 3 years have undoubtedly been the most influential and wisest truths for all of history. Teachings that have fulfilled thousands of years old prophecies (reach all nations). Teachings that so positively change lives all throughout history, where ever Jesus has been preached, nations improve, thieves are made honest, alcoholics are cured, hateful people are made loving, corrupt become just, miracles occur! The testimonies of Roman Gutiérrez and Fritz Helg (among thousands of others online) are prime examples of how Jesus can break chains and transform. William Lecky one of Great Britain’s most noted historians, political theorists and opponent of Christianity “it was reserved for Christianity to present to the world an ideal character which through all the changes of 18 centuries has inspired the hearts of men with an impassioned love, has shown itself capable of acting on all ages, nations, temperaments, and conditions: has been not only the highest pattern of virtue but the strongest incentive to its practice. The simple record of these 3 short years of active life has done more to regenerate and soften mankind than all the disquisitions of philosophers and all the exhortations of moralists.” His poise and composure were miraculous if he were a madman. Theologian Clark H Pinnock “again, the skill and depth of his teachings support the case for his total mental soundness.” Historian Philip Schaff “self-deception in a matter so momentous and with an intellect in all respects so clear and so sound is equally out of the question. He never lost the balance of his mind, sailed serenely over all the troubles and persecution, always returned the wisest answers to tempting questions, calmly and deliberately predicted his death and resurrection and the destruction of Jerusalem (70AD). A character so original, complete, uniformly consistent, perfect. It would take more than Jesus to invent Jesus” and “is such an intellect-clear as the sky, bracing as the mountain air, sharp and penetrating as a sword, thoroughly healthy and vigorous, always ready and always self-possessed-liable to a radical and most serious delusion concerning his own character and mission? Preposterous imagination!”
This only leaves one option. As always, feel free to contact us with any questions.
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