Jesus Christ: Son of God? Son of Man? Messiah? Who Was He? Does it Matter?

Paul Derengowski, ThM

"But who do you say that I am?" That question asked of Peter by Jesus and has engendered more responses down through history than any other question asked by man. The reason is that there has been more written about Jesus Christ than any other human being who has ever lived. Yet, while some have answered the question—"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"—others have remained skeptical, if not militant and combative, over the identity of Jesus. But why? What is it about the person of Jesus that has drawn so much interest, as well as so much controversy. Just who was Jesus? Was he God? Was he merely a man? Did Jesus even exist? Depending on how one answers the question has eternal consequences. For all judgment has been rendered to him by none other than God Almighty himself (Jn. 5:22).

Therefore, it is extremely important that if one claims to be a follower of Christ to not only correctly identify him, but to be aware that there all kinds of "Jesus's" out there, along with a bevy of religious authorities who also claim to speak for him. The problem is, those individuals are either imposters or proclaim a false gospel which lead people astray. Jesus warned about them (Matt. 7:15) and predicted that as the day approached for his return, the world would see a proliferation of men claiming to be him (Mt. 24:5).

The following articles are presented to help the reader understand just who Jesus is and who he claimed to be. Was he God or a mere man? Or was he a sort of demigod that had divine qualities about him, but was not really God at all. Did Jesus travel abroad learning from some Indian guru or did he grow up as most Jewish boys did and then when it was his time become a revolutionary like no one in human history had, has, or ever will become? You decide. Just remember, the decision made about Jesus will determine your eternal destiny.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father, but through me" (Jn. 14:6).