Chapter 4: Identifying the Creator (Part 1)
To this point we have simply identified the Creator as "God." That is, after all, how the account of creation begins in the first book of the Bible:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1).
As we have already said, the Bible is divided into two parts commonly known as the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament was written between the approximate dates of 1450 and 400 BC, while the New Testament was written by men who lived during Jesus' lifetime. The first books of the New Testament were written approximately 20 years after Jesus was killed by crucifixion and came back to life (through resurrection) in 33 AD[1]. The last book (the Gospel of John) was written in approximately 98 AD when the Apostle John—the last of Jesus' surviving Apostles—was an old man.
[1]In 525 AD Pope John 1 commissioned Dionysius to prepare a standard calendar for the Western Church. Because the history of the day was not certain, a number of critical dates were altered. As a result, the Western calendar gives an inaccurate date for Jesus' birth, placing it later than it probably occurred. (Jesus was likely born in 5 or 4 BC.) However, this error in the traditional calendar has no bearing on the veracity of the biblical accounts. In order to avoid confusion, we will continue to use the traditional year 1 AD as the date of his birth.
God progressively revealed who he was as the Bible was written. God gives less detailed descriptions of himself in the Old Testament as compared with the more complete descriptions he gives of himself in the New Testament.
The view of God in the Old Testament
It is clear that God describes himself in the Old Testament as being a God of unity[2]. Variations of the following quotation appear many times in both the Old and New Testaments:
[2]God is unity in that each of his attributes is represented completely and only in himself. For example, only God is eternal, only God is all-powerful, only God is all-knowing, and so on. Though God has created man in his image and has thus given human beings capacities that are modeled after his attributes, only God fully possesses these attributes. God is also unity in that his purpose is never divided or in internal conflict between the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit.
Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one (Deuteronomy 6:4).
The following Old Testament passages also declare that there is only one God:
[Moses] said [to Pharaoh], "Be it according to your word, that you may know that there is none like Yahweh our God" (Exodus 8:10). …according to all that Yahweh your God did for you in Egypt…It was shown to you so that you might know that Yahweh is God. There is no one else besides him (Deuteronomy 4:34-35). Know therefore this day, and lay it to your heart, that Yahweh he is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is none else (Deuteronomy 4:39). Therefore you are great, Yahweh God. For there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you (2 Samuel 7:22). For who is God, besides Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God? God is my strong fortress (2 Samuel 22:32-33). May Yahweh our God be with us…that all the peoples of the earth may know that Yahweh, he is God. There is none else (1 Kings 8:57, 60). Hezekiah prayed before Yahweh, and said, "Yahweh, the God of Israel…you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth" (2 Kings 19:15).
Yahweh, there is none like you, neither is there any God besides you (1 Chronicles 17:20). You are Yahweh, even you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their army, the earth and all things that are on it, the seas and all that is in them, and you preserve them all. The army of heaven worships you (Nehemiah 9:6). For who is God, except Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God (Psalm 18:31). "Now therefore, Yahweh our God, save us from [the king of Assyria's] hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are Yahweh, even you only" (Isaiah 37:20). "You are my witnesses," says Yahweh, "With my servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. Before me there was no God formed, neither will there be after me. I myself am Yahweh; and besides me there is no savior" (Isaiah 43:10-11). This is what Yahweh…says: "I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God" (Isaiah 44:6). Don't fear, neither be afraid. Haven't I declared it to you long ago…? Is there a God besides me? Indeed, there is not (Isaiah 44:8). I am Yahweh, and there is none else. Besides me, there is no God (Isaiah 45:5). Surely God is in you; and there is none else. There is no other god (Isaiah 45:14). For thus says Yahweh who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn't create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am Yahweh; and there is no other" (Isaiah 45:18). Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven't I, Yahweh? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior; There is no one besides me (Isaiah 45:21). …for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me (Isaiah 46:9). Yahweh will be King over all the earth. In that day Yahweh will be one, and his name one (Zechariah 14:9).
One in number or one in unity?
English does not have two separate words that make a distinction between one in number and one in purpose. (We make that distinction in English by adding other descriptive words to the word one.) Apparently the Hebrew language does have two distinct words that convey these two meanings. Anyone reading the English translation of Genesis 2:24 which says, "Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh" understands that the man and woman do not become a single person after marriage. The reader understands that they become one in a metaphorical sense in their purpose or unity.
Interestingly, the verse, "Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one: and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), uses the same Hebrew word for "one" as the verse describing marriage uses for the man and his wife becoming "one" (Genesis 2:24). Thus, it is apparent that the verses describing God as "one" in the Old Testament are emphasizing the unity of God in the sense of his being "one" in his actions and purpose.
The expanded view of God in the New Testament
Jesus, as well as other writers in the New Testament, continued to make the statement that God is one. Jesus said:
One of the scribes…asked him, "Which commandment is the greatest of all?" Jesus answered, "The greatest is, 'Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one' " (Mark 12:28-29). How can you believe…and you don't seek the glory that comes from the only God? (John 5:44). This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ (John 17:3).
Other writers in the New Testament also said that God is one. The Apostle Paul frequently made this statement:
…since indeed there is one God… (Romans 3:30). …to the only wise God… (Romans 16:27). We know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no other God but one (1 Corinthians 8:4). Now a mediator is not between one, but God is one (Galatians 3:20). Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever (1 Timothy 1:17).
On the other hand, Jesus also asserted his full equality with God:
John 10:22 It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. 10:23 It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon's porch. 10:24 The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, "How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 10:25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you don't believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, these testify about me… 10:30 I and the Father are one." 10:31 Therefore Jews took up stones again to stone him. 10:32 Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?" 10:33 The Jews answered him, "We don't stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy: because you, being a man, make yourself God."…10:36 [Jesus answered them] "Do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You blaspheme,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God?' " (John 10:22-25, 30-33, 36).
Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father..." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, 'Show us the Father?' " (John 14:8-9). [Jesus speaking to the Father said] "The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one" (John 17:22). For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, "My Father is still working, so I am working, too." For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God (John 5:16-18).
John 8:19 They said therefore to him, "Where is your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither me, nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also…8:23 You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. 8:24 I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins." 8:25 They said…"Who are you?"…8:28 Jesus therefore said to them, "When you have lifted up [crucified] the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things. 8:29 He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn't left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him." 8:30 As he spoke these things, many believed in him…8:54 [Jesus said] "It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. 8:55 You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, 'I don't know him,' I would be like you, a liar. But I know him, and keep his word. 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad." 8:57 The Jews therefore said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM." 8:59 Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden, and went out of the temple, having gone through their midst (John 8:19, 23-25, 28-30, 54-59).
Other writers also stated that Jesus is equal with God:
Philippians 2:5 …Christ Jesus, 2:6 who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped [held unto], 2:7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. 2:8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. 2:9 Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name[3]; 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:5-11).
[3]"The name which is above every name" is the name Yahweh. The statement, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess" is true only of Yahweh in the Old Testament. (See Isaiah 45:22-23 which quotes Yahweh as saying "For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by myself, the word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not return, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath.")
"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8). "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!" (Revelation 4:11). "We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and reigned" (Revelation 11:17).
The Apostle John's perspective
Jesus trained twelve men during the three years in which he taught publicly. He also knew that one of them would betray him and that it would result in his arrest and execution. That follower, Judas Iscariot, committed suicide when he realized what he had done. Ten of the original twelve followers died as martyrs. One, however, was severely persecuted and imprisoned, though he was later released and lived to be a very old man. This one follower who died a natural death was the Apostle John who was probably in his late 90s when he died.
The Apostle John wrote five books in the New Testament. Two are very short letters (2 John and 3 John). One is a longer letter and is a significant book in its own right (1 John). His two longest books, however, are extremely important.
The first of these two longer books we now know as the last book of the New Testament. It was written about 96 AD while John was a prisoner of the Roman Emperor on the Island of Patmos. This small island is now held by Greece. Today, John's first longer book is commonly known as the book of Revelation because it is John's account of a revelation Jesus gave to him. In that revelation, John was shown future events and how Jesus would some day rule the perfect, redeemed world as its king. When Jesus was on earth, John knew him as a man, but also believed that he was God. In Jesus' revelation of himself to John, however, John saw Jesus in his full glory as Sovereign, Eternal God who had become man.
It is not surprising, then, that when John wrote the Gospel of John two years later in approximately 98 AD, he often reported many of the things Jesus did as a man from his new perspective after having seen Jesus as glorified God in Heaven.
It is with that perspective that John began his Gospel by saying:
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God. 1:3 All things were made through him. Without him was not anything made that has been made. 1:4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome it.
1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn't recognize him. 1:11 He came to his own, and those who were his own didn't receive him. 1:12 But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God's children, to those who believe in his name: 1:13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 1:14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5, 10-14).
The grammar behind John's statement
John used very
precise grammar when he wrote these verses[4]. Figure 1 is a graphic
representation of what he said. He identified a precise
point in time with the statement "In the beginning." The
beginning was John's starting point. There was
nothing he could describe before this time. Then John made
the assertion that at that point in time before anything
could be described, "The Word was [continually existing]
with God" (The Word is defined as Jesus in verse 14
and fully identified as such in the remaining verses of the
chapter.) According to the grammar rules of John's day, he
said two things in verse 1:1: "In the beginning the Word
was continually existing," and "the Word was continually
with God."
[4]The English translation properly reflects what John wrote in Greek. What is important, however, is John's letter-by-letter spelling. John used the Greek verb eimi (to be) twice in this sentence and it was translated both times into English with the word was. The tense of a Greek verb can express the time of the action (past, present or future) and the kind of action (continuous, completed or action at a defined time). The tense of this Greek verb makes its action continuous. Therefore, this Greek verb to be in John 1:1 has the sense of was continually existing. For a more complete description of Greek verbs see www.ntgreek.org/learn_nt_greek/verbs1.htm.
John thus made an incredibly important assertion. He said that Jesus was eternal. That is, the beginning was as far back as John could describe. Yet, at that earliest point in time—at the beginning—the Word (Jesus) was continually existing and was continually with God.
John made another assertion which was equally significant. He said that "All things were made through him" (him is the Word who is later identified as Jesus). "Without him was not anything made that has been made." John was therefore saying that Jesus was entirely outside of creation because he was the one who created everything.
Notice in Figure 1 that creation was placed on the right side of "In the beginning." That is, according to John's description, creation started during the time after the beginning, whereas Jesus was continually existing with God before time had even begun.
In the next chapter we will explain more about Jesus as the Creator. For now, however, note that John asserted that Jesus (the Word) is eternal in the same sense in which God is eternal:
First, at the earliest point of time, Jesus was already continually existing and was with God.
Second, Jesus created everything, and without him, nothing was created. In John's description, therefore, Jesus was outside of anything which was created. He himself could not have been created. Thus, Jesus was identified as being eternally existent.
We are left with an inescapable conclusion from both the Old and New Testaments, including the statements of Jesus himself. There is a sense of unity in which God can be described as "one." At the same time, as a person entirely unique from God the Father, Jesus can be described as being eternal and existing continuously with God and as fully equal to God.[5]
[5]First and second century Christians understood John's description of Jesus to mean exactly what the Apostle John said-that Jesus was eternal and outside of creation. Therefore, they understood that God is described as being one in unity, while at the same time he consists of three persons: the Father, Jesus, and the Spirit. Among the early Christians, there was never the suggestion, however, that there were three Gods. The first debates as to the nature of Jesus-that is, as to whether Jesus was truly God or was himself created-did not begin until the third and fourth centuries. The debate centered on whether Jesus was God or whether he was created. The name for the initial heresy claiming that Jesus was not eternal God is Arianism, named after Arius who lived between 250 and 336 AD. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arianism.
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