HI
im a Christian but I dont accept the divinity of Jesus (unitarian) and NO IM NOT Jehovas witness, but i dont believe in the trinity and in fact, quite a few Christians (trinitarian) have said outright that im not a Christian. Oh well, im ok with that, i know what I believe.
unfortunately, they're right. in order to truly be a Christian, one must recognize that Christ is Divine, part of the Godhead, come in human form to die for our sins, and accept that gift through faith. if your beliefs fall outside of that, you cannot truly be called a Christian. even a Muslim believes what you believe about Jesus. we wouldn't call them Christians.
Deut 6:4 Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is One Lord.
Jesus even refers to this passage in Matthew 22:37, recognizing its truth, and yet making Himself equal with God (John 10:30, John 10:33).
Isaiah 43:11 I, even I am Lord and besides me there is no saviour
this quote demonstrates the opposite of what you're talking about. Jehovah is here saying that He is the only Saviour. Christ claims that He is the Saviour of the world (John 3:17). so in order for Jesus to be our Saviour, He must be our God.
I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me
Isaiah 46:9 I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me
Exodus 20:3-5 Thou shall have no other Gods besides me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.
Deut 5:7-9 You shall not have other gods besides me. You shall not carve idols for yourselves in the shape of anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the waters beneath the earth. you shall not bow down before them or worship them. For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God...
this is perfectly true, under the correct understaning of the Trinity. Jesus isn't another "God". He's Divine, part of the ONE Godhead, along with the Father and Holy Spirit.
1. John 14:28 My Father is greater than I2. John 10:29 My Father is greater than ALL
and in verse 30 He claims to be one with the Father. how can this be if He's not Divine?
this also misunderstands Jesus' humanity. He was fully human and He was made a little lower than the angels for a time in order to fulfill the plan of redemption through His sacrifice.
3. Matt 12:28 I cast out Devil with the Spirit of God
4. Luke 11:20 I with the finger of God cast out devils
5. John 5:30 I can of my own self do nothing. As i hear I judge and my judgement is just because I seek not my will but the will of my Father who has sent me
God will Judge the ends of the earth (1 Samuel 2:10). if Jesus has been given all authority to judge (John 5:25-27), He must be Divine.
6. Matt 5:17-20 Think not that I am come do destroy the law and the Prophets, I have come not to destroy, but to fulfil for verily I say unto you till the heaven and earth pass one jot or one tittle shall not pass from the law until all be fulfilled. And whosoever therefore shall break one of the least comandments and teach men to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. And whosoever shall keep them and teach them so the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For verily, unless your righteousness exceeds the righteusness of the scribes and the pharisees, in no way shall you enter the kingdom of heaven.
the book of Hebrews explains the law and the Prophets and the necessity for Jesus' sacrifice (Hebrews 9:22).
John 14:24 The words that you hear are not mine but it's my Father's who has sent me John 17:3This is eternal life so that you may know that there is one true God and Jesus Christ who thou hast sent.
Matt 19:16-17 Good master, what good things shall i do that i may attain eternal life, And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, [that is], GOD: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Acts 2:22 O men of Israel. Jesus of Nazareth a man approved by God amongst you by miracles and wonders and signs which God did by him in your prescence as you know.
Mark 12:29 Hear O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.
you need to understand Jesus' humanity. He became FULLY human, and submitted Himself to the will of the Father.
when Jesus says to the man "Why do you call me good? There is none good but God?" He's saying to the man: "Are you calling me God? And if you are, are you willing to listen to my words?"
Dont just quote something else, it doesnt make these statements go away!
I look forward to hearing your comments.
Thanks
good questions. my answers aren't exhaustive, i don't have the time right now, but i hope we have clarified a little something at least.
respond with any objections you have and we can deal with them. thanks.