Our Confession to the World

Jesus raised this question to His disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” and the responses that followed revealed the lack of understanding among the people:

Matthew 16:14: 14. And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”

For myself, I would be deeply complimented to be compared to such men, but for the sinless, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent Son of God, this simply would not do. Thus, Christ narrowed the question, and asked: “But who do you say that I am?” The response of faith that followed became the confessional bedrock upon which the true church has stood for generations: “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” (Matt 16:16). This is another way of saying – You are the Son of God and You are like no-one who has ever walked the face of the earth. This is the same confession which the Apostle John gives us in his gospel:  “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” (John 1:18).

Who does Jesus act like? Answer: God.

How could such a concept ever be confused? Well, in the interview below, Mr. Keller’s expressed agenda to “get out of the way” of Mark’s Gospel was quickly derailed by himself:

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I was simply dumbfounded when Mr. Keller likened the matchless Son of God to that of “Mother Theresa.” He did at one moment state that Jesus was God, but whatever good this achieved was quickly corrupted by what followed. I know precious little about Mr. Keller, and have not read any of his books, but this public opportunity to get out of the way and deliver the true church’s confession was squandered by such a disastrous comparison. I must ask though: If Mr. Keller is willing to herald a questionable character like Mother Theresa in this manner, what does this say about his view of the Gospel in relation to that which is a mere Social Gospel? Is he heralding his views of social justice to such an extent that the Gospel should suffer under such comparisons?
 
Finally, an oft repeated expression in the O.T. has to do with God’s absolute singularity and supremacy: Jeremiah 10:6 “There is none like You, O Lord.” and Psalm 113:5 “Who is like the Lord our God, Who is enthroned on hight?” Even the Hebrew names Michael (miyka-‘el) and Micaiah (miykeyahu) are based upon this same question: Who is like God (‘El) and Jehovah (yahu). This was a very basic and primitive lesson delivered to Israel, generation after generation. It was a repeated message throughout the ages, because the nation forgot it again and again. When considering the Lord’s glory and majesty, as compared to mere mortals, the Lord is truly incomparable.
 
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