In the Gospels, a rich, young man approached Jesus and said to him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus gave the infamous reply,“Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” This story is
found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke; critics of Jesus’ claims to deity often use it as ammunition in their case for a non-
divine Jesus. It seems, they argue, that
Jesus is denying deity here by refusing
the title ‘GOOD’ as it is something reserved solely for God. I contend that even a surface-level reading of this narrative does not even remotely support that conclusion.
I don’t see how Jesus’ clarification of
God’s nature is equivalent to him
denying deity. This is akin to someone
coming to me and calling me, “Dr. Paul.” I respond by saying, “Why do you call me
doctor? No man can be a doctor, only he
who holds a doctorate.”

I can either mean one of two things:

1. No one can be a doctor unless he
holds a doctorate.
2. I do not hold a doctorate.
3. Therefore, I am not a doctor.


or…

1. No one can be a doctor unless he
holds a doctorate.
2. I hold a doctorate.
3. Therefore, I am a doctor.

By asking “Why do you call me doctor?”,
am I denying my title? Of course not. I
am simply clarifying what the title
means. I am neither validating nor
rejecting the title. In any case, I don’t
have a doctorate (yet!) but the point still
stands.

You can see how such reasoning is
completely absurd, and yet this is what
we see when critics use Jesus’ words in
this passage to try to show his non deity. Having said all of that, let’s have another look at what Jesus said in this passage.

He only said two statements:

1. Why do you call me good?
2. No one is good except God

The only piece of information that Jesus
gave is this: No one is good but God.
There are 2 ways to understand his
statement:

1. Only God is good.
2. I am not good.
3. Therefore, I am not God.

or

1. Only God is good.
2. I am good.
3. Therefore, I am God.

In this specific instance, from these
words alone, Jesus does make known to
us which of these he meant. It is both
ignorant and presumptive of anyone to
use this passage, alone, to argue for
Jesus’ non-deity. Why should the first
reading be the desirable one over the
second reading? Jesus’ statement that
only God is good does not, itself, tell us
whether he was affirming or denying
being God.

But if we keep reading, we find that
Jesus sheds some light on what he
meant. Jesus answers the man’s original
question about obtaining eternal life
with this“You know the commandments:

‘You shall not murder, you shall not
commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.'”

The man responds :”Teacher, I have kept all of these since I was a boy.”

Then Jesus finishes with: “One thing you
lack. Go, sell everything you have then
come, follow me.”

To summarize: In response to the man’s
question, “What must I do to gain eternal life?”, Jesus responds by telling him to
follow the commandments. But which
commandments does Jesus list?
Notice that Jesus only lists the
commandments that dealt with civil
affairs. The Ten Commandments of
Moses were divided into 2 parts: Laws on
dealing with God and Laws on dealing
with others. Respectively, these were the
moral and civil laws. Jesus names the
civil law for the young man and the
young man responds like any good Jew
would, These I have kept since I was
young.” The man was doing great on
keeping the civil law, but not so much
with the moral law. Instead of then
quoting the first four commandments to
the young man,the commandments that
dealt with man’s relationship with God, Jesus told the young man, “Sell your
possessions and follow me.” In other
words, “Your god is your money. Get rid
of that and follow me.” Jesus is equating
obeying the moral law with following
himself. The manner in which men can
obtain eternal life is by getting rid of the
false gods in their lives and following
Jesus , replacing them with him!
This claim is monumental! And it gives us
an answer to our initial dilemma. Did
Jesus deny or affirm his deity in asking,
“Why do you call me good?” I think the
answer is clear in light of the rest of that
conversation with the young man. Jesus
equated following himself with keeping
the moral law and obeying the
commandments that governed man’s
relationship with God. Thus, in bringing
up this passage as ammunition for a
non-divine Jesus, the critic shoots
himself in the foot by bringing to the
table a text in which Jesus clearly claims
deity.

Malvisguy212 , in as much as I enjoyed reading the above analogy , i disagree .

- when Jesus say " God" , he is refering to His Father .

For example : john 14:1 " exercise faith in God, exercise faith also in me"

The big question is : who did he identify as God ? Himself ? Of course , not himself but his father .

Bro , nobody is good except God ( The Father)

Exercise Faith In God ( The Father) - John 14:1

Jozzy4:
Malvisguy212 , in as much as I enjoyed reading the above analogy , i disagree .

- when Jesus say " God" , he is refering to His Father .

For example : john 14:1 " exercise faith in God, exercise faith also in me"

The big question is : who did he identify as God ? Himself ? Of course , not himself but his father .

Bro , nobody is good except God ( The Father)

Exercise Faith In God ( The Father) - John 14:1

Jesus christ is a man who was possessed by God Himself, that is why He say "I and the Father are ONE" why dint you quote the rest of John 14?

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t
know where you are going, so how can
we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the
truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me. 7 If you really
know me, you will know[b] my Father as
well. From now on, you do know him and
have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father
and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me,
Philip, even after I have been among you
such a long time? Anyone who has seen
me has seen the Father. How can you
say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you
believe that I am in the Father, and that
the Father is in me? The words I say to
you I do not speak on my own authority.
Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who
is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I
say that I am in the Father and the
Father is in me; or at least believe on the
evidence of the works themselves. 12
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in
me will do the works I have been doing,
and they will do even greater things than
these, because I am going to the Father.
13 And I will do whatever you ask in my
name, so that the Father may be glorified
in the Son. 14 You may ask me for
anything in my name, and I will do it

malvisguy212:
Jesus christ is a man who was possessed by God Himself, that is why He say "I and the Father are ONE" why dint you quote the rest of John 14?

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t
know where you are going, so how can
we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the
truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me. 7 If you really
know me, you will know[b] my Father as
well. From now on, you do know him and
have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father
and that will be enough for us.”
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me,
Philip, even after I have been among you
such a long time? Anyone who has seen
me has seen the Father. How can you
say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you
believe that I am in the Father, and that
the Father is in me? The words I say to
you I do not speak on my own authority.

Simple question : who did Jesus call " God" at john 14:1 ?

Jozzy4:


Simple question : who did Jesus call " God" at john 14:1 ?

Jesus, his human nature, call God His father on many occasions. What did Jesus mean when He say "I and the father are ONE? " further more, what did He means in this conversation with Philip;
John 14.
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know
me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority.

I want you to carefully notice the last statement "The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority" what does this indicate? Jesus did not speak on His own authority, why ? Because it was the Father(God) who dwell in Him speak. (just like A demon possessed man do not speak on his own authority)

Dont let us divert the topic , the focus is who did Jesus Call God when he said : " nobody is good except God"

malvisguy212:
Jesus, his human nature, call God His father on many occasions. What did Jesus mean when He say "I and the father are ONE? " further more, what did He means in this conversation with Philip;
John 14.
9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know
me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority.

I want you to carefully notice the last statement "The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority" what does this indicate? Jesus did not speak on His own authority, why ? Because it was the Father(God) who dwell in Him speak.

@ bold , you confirmed it that Jesus use God for his father . Thats the point

Jozzy4:
Dont let us divert the topic , the focus is who did Jesus Call God when he said : " nobody is good except God"




@ bold , you confirmed it that Jesus use God for his father . Thats the point

you are picking word that suit you and ignored the rest, did you not read were I say "Jesus in his HUMAN nature called God His father?". Did I say in his Divine nature ? You need to go back and read the 4 gospel again, not just read but with the help of the spirit.

malvisguy212:
you are picking word that suit you and ignored the rest, did you not read were I say "Jesus in his HUMAN nature called God His father?". Did I say in his Divine nature ? You need to go back and read the 4 gospel again, not just read but with the help of the spirit.

Absolute crap ! That means we men call God our father because of human nature ? When they become partakers of the divine nature , they wont acknowledge him as Father again ?

Jesus Call God his father even in the divine nature - Rev 3:5b

Jozzy4:


Absolute crap ! That means we men call God our father because of human nature ? When they become partakers of the divine nature , they wont acknowledge him as Father again ?

Jesus Call God his father even in the divine nature - Rev 3:5b

then you should be able to answer my questions. Analyze John 14:9-11.

malvisguy212:
then you should be able to answer my questions. Analyze John 14:9-11.

1. Jesus is not the Father .

2 . The Father in me doesnt mean the Father dwells in Jesus , not a literal statement

Take for example john 17:21

" that they may be in us" , does it mean the apostles will dissapear to literally dwell inside Jesus and his father in heaven ?

Jozzy4:


1. Jesus is not the Father .

2 . The Father in me doesnt mean the Father dwells in Jesus , not a literal statement

Take for example john 17:21

" that they may be in us" , does it mean the apostles will dissapear to literally dwell inside Jesus and his father in heaven ?

why do you keep on believing in false doctrine? Who say Jesus is the father? Let us quote the John 17:21-23

21 that all of them may be one, Father, JUST as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

This verse is a prayer to all believers. In verse 21 the word "just" indicate it was an EXAMPLE , just as God is in Jesus, Jesus urge the believers to be ONE , Jesus was teaching how the disciples can have relationship with God,

malvisguy212:
why do you keep on believing in false doctrine? Who say Jesus is the father? Let us quote the John 17:21-23

21 that all of them may be one, Father, JUST as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

This verse is a prayer to all believers. In verse 21 the word "just" indicate it was an EXAMPLE , just as God is in Jesus, Jesus urge the believers to be ONE , Jesus was teaching how the disciples can have relationship with God,

okay

malvisguy212:
why do you keep on believing in false doctrine? Who say Jesus is the father? Let us quote the John 17:21-23

21 that all of them may be one, Father, JUST as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

This verse is a prayer to all believers. In verse 21 the word "just" indicate it was an EXAMPLE , just as God is in Jesus, Jesus urge the believers to be ONE , Jesus was teaching how the disciples can have relationship with God,

If Jesus is not the Father, who is He? We know that the Father is Yahweh God Almighty? Who then is Jesus?

Hell fire will so much roast some people.Jesus is clearly implying he ain't God yet you pagans who call yourselves xtians choose to twist his words to justify your idolatory.

plappville:


If Jesus is not the Father, who is He? We know that the Father is Yahweh God Almighty? Who then is Jesus?

He is the SLAVE of Allah

malvisguy212:
you are picking word that suit you and ignored the rest, did you not read were I say "Jesus in his HUMAN nature called God His father?". Did I say in his Divine nature ? You need to go back and read the 4 gospel again, not just read but with the help of the spirit.

Jesus in his HUMAN nature also said that I and my Father are one.

crusadistic:
He is the SLAVE of Allah

Shut up!! Allah is idol. Allah cannot see thé food poison that killed Muhammad (may problèm be upon him) as families world's wide are weeping/crying in pains.

crusadistic:
Hell fire will so much roast some people.Jesus is clearly implying he ain't God yet you pagans who call yourselves xtians choose to twist his words to justify your idolatory.

Those who believe Jesus is God are far better than you who denied his death...

plappville:


Those who believe Jesus is God are far better than you who denied his death...

so those who believe Jesus is not God and wasnt crucified like a criminal are less better than those who bow to the creation rather than the creator

tartar9:
so those who believe Jesus is not God and wasnt crucified like a criminal are less better than those who bow to the creation rather than the creator

You got it wrong. Those who believe in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. And that He is the son of God. To them given Power to be called Sons of God. But those who rejected the mentioned above are led by the spirit of The anti-Christ... Islam fits in..

JMAN05:


Jesus in his HUMAN nature also said that I and my Father are one.

Just as the Father called the Son God:
But to the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.
Hebrews 1:8

likewise in Isaiah 9

plappville:


If Jesus is not the Father, who is He? We know that the Father is Yahweh God Almighty? Who then is Jesus?

1. Jesus has two natures, He is God
and man.
2. Each nature is full and complete ,
He is fully God and fully man.
3. Each nature remains distinct.
4. Christ is only one Person.
5. Things that are true of only one
nature are nonetheless true of the
Person of Christ.

Jesus is a man. A man who was possessed by God.

crusadistic:
Hell fire will so much roast some people.Jesus is clearly implying he ain't God yet you pagans who call yourselves xtians choose to twist his words to justify your idolatory.

tartar9 this thread is not for your like, learn to established some boundary.

Scholar8200:
Just as the Father called the Son God:
But to the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.
Hebrews 1:8

likewise in Isaiah 9

God bless you my brother.

malvisguy212:
God bless you my brother.

Amen; and you too.

malvisguy212:
In the Gospels, a rich, young man approached Jesus and said to him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus gave the infamous reply,“Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” This story is
found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke; critics of Jesus’ claims to deity often use it as ammunition in their case for a non-
divine Jesus. It seems, they argue, that
Jesus is denying deity here by refusing
the title ‘GOOD’ as it is something reserved solely for God. I contend that even a surface-level reading of this narrative does not even remotely support that conclusion.
I don’t see how Jesus’ clarification of
God’s nature is equivalent to him
denying deity. This is akin to someone
coming to me and calling me, “Dr. Paul.” I respond by saying, “Why do you call me
doctor? No man can be a doctor, only he
who holds a doctorate.”

I can either mean one of two things:

1. No one can be a doctor unless he
holds a doctorate.
2. I do not hold a doctorate.
3. Therefore, I am not a doctor.


or…

1. No one can be a doctor unless he
holds a doctorate.
2. I hold a doctorate.
3. Therefore, I am a doctor.

By asking “Why do you call me doctor?”,
am I denying my title? Of course not. I
am simply clarifying what the title
means. I am neither validating nor
rejecting the title. In any case, I don’t
have a doctorate (yet!) but the point still
stands.

You can see how such reasoning is
completely absurd, and yet this is what
we see when critics use Jesus’ words in
this passage to try to show his non deity. Having said all of that, let’s have another look at what Jesus said in this passage.

He only said two statements:

1. Why do you call me good?
2. No one is good except God

The only piece of information that Jesus
gave is this: No one is good but God.
There are 2 ways to understand his
statement:

1. Only God is good.
2. I am not good.
3. Therefore, I am not God.

or

1. Only God is good.
2. I am good.
3. Therefore, I am God.

In this specific instance, from these
words alone, Jesus does make known to
us which of these he meant. It is both
ignorant and presumptive of anyone to
use this passage, alone, to argue for
Jesus’ non-deity. Why should the first
reading be the desirable one over the
second reading? Jesus’ statement that
only God is good does not, itself, tell us
whether he was affirming or denying
being God.

But if we keep reading, we find that
Jesus sheds some light on what he
meant. Jesus answers the man’s original
question about obtaining eternal life
with this“You know the commandments:

‘You shall not murder, you shall not
commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.'”

The man responds :”Teacher, I have kept all of these since I was a boy.”

Then Jesus finishes with: “One thing you
lack. Go, sell everything you have then
come, follow me.”

To summarize: In response to the man’s
question, “What must I do to gain eternal life?”, Jesus responds by telling him to
follow the commandments. But which
commandments does Jesus list?
Notice that Jesus only lists the
commandments that dealt with civil
affairs. The Ten Commandments of
Moses were divided into 2 parts: Laws on
dealing with God and Laws on dealing
with others. Respectively, these were the
moral and civil laws. Jesus names the
civil law for the young man and the
young man responds like any good Jew
would, These I have kept since I was
young.” The man was doing great on
keeping the civil law, but not so much
with the moral law. Instead of then
quoting the first four commandments to
the young man,the commandments that
dealt with man’s relationship with God, Jesus told the young man, “Sell your
possessions and follow me.” In other
words, “Your god is your money. Get rid
of that and follow me.” Jesus is equating
obeying the moral law with following
himself. The manner in which men can
obtain eternal life is by getting rid of the
false gods in their lives and following
Jesus , replacing them with him!
This claim is monumental! And it gives us
an answer to our initial dilemma. Did
Jesus deny or affirm his deity in asking,
“Why do you call me good?” I think the
answer is clear in light of the rest of that
conversation with the young man. Jesus
equated following himself with keeping
the moral law and obeying the
commandments that governed man’s
relationship with God. Thus, in bringing
up this passage as ammunition for a
non-divine Jesus, the critic shoots
himself in the foot by bringing to the
table a text in which Jesus clearly claims
deity.

Acts 20:28
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all
the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath
made you overseers, to feed the church of God,
which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

malvisguy212:
God bless you my brother.

God bless u big

If Jesus was good then the question makes no sense

SamjohnnyB:
God bless u big

and you too my brother

Vecto:
If Jesus was good then the question makes no sense

is Jesus a bad person?

Scholar8200:
Just as the Father called the Son God:
But to the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.
Hebrews 1:8

likewise in Isaiah 9

How does this tie with the purpose of that my comment? Or want to call my attention to a verse u think is ur best shot?

Will you then be fair and say the same thing to that person whom the words was first applied? Can u do that?

malvisguy212:
God bless you my brother.

Oga go and respond to my comment to u, and u are here blessing him when his comment didn't solve ur problem.