Discussion Reply 2_More Than a Carpenter_CHPL655

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Discussion Reply 2: More Than A Carpenter After completing the Learn items for this Module: Week, submit a thread answering the 2 following questions. 1. According to McDowell, Jesus was not a liar and was not a lunatic (insane); therefore, He must be the Son of God. Explain how you would respond to an individual claiming Jesus was a lunatic. Support your position using Scripture, and you may reference McDowell’s text. 2. Using Scripture and McDowell’s text, respond to the following question: If God is such a loving God, why will He not accept all people just the way they are? Hi Whitfield, thank you for your thread. Expanding on the claim of Jesus being a lunatic, it is important to consider the impact of his miracles and supernatural abilities. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus performing extraordinary acts, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, and even calming the stormy sea (Matt. 8:6, 9:23-25, 15:30; Luke 6:18, 7:13-15, 8:24 English Standard Version). These miraculous displays of power demonstrate not only his authority but also his divine nature. McDowell’s analysis reminds us that lunacy cannot explain such extraordinary abilities and the profound impact Jesus had on people’s lives. 1 Furthermore, Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies adds another layer of credibility to his claims and teachings. In A History of Christianity, Kenneth Scott Latourette wrote that “Jesus’ teachings concerning the kingdom of God, human conduct, and the divine were of profound importance, yet they could not be divorced from his personhood without, from his vantage point, compromising their essence and significance.” 2 McDowell’s book highlights how Jesus perfectly fulfilled numerous prophecies, including his birthplace (Micah 5:2), his betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (Zech. 11:12-13), and his crucifixion alongside criminals (Isa.53:12). These fulfillments testify to the divine nature of Jesus and provide evidence against the notion of him being a lunatic. Turning to the question of God’s love and acceptance, McDowell’s perspective on the transformative aspect of a relationship with God aligns with the teachings of the apostle Paul. In Romans 12:2, Paul urges believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This transformation is a process that occurs through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and our willingness to surrender to God’s will. McDowell’s insights emphasize the invitation for personal growth and the ongoing journey of becoming more like Christ. Additionally, Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith and not by our own works. This underscores the unconditional love of God and his desire for everyone to be saved. However, as McDowell points out, acceptance into a deeper relationship with God involves repentance and a turning away from sin. This aligns with the biblical concept of genuine faith being accompanied by a transformation of heart and actions (James 2:14-26). The insights shared shed light on the rationality of Jesus’ identity and the balance between God’s 1 Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, More Than a Carpenter (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2005). 2 Kenneth Scott Latourette, A History of Christianity (New York: Harper & Row, 1953), 44, 48.

unconditional love and the transformative nature of a relationship with Him. Thank you, again. Blessings, Rebecca

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