humanity of Christ.

The Nicene Creed (325)

states the uniformbelief of all orthodox Christianity
that Christ was fully God and fully man inone
person. All heresies regarding Christ deny one or
both of thesepropositions. This as a claim alone
makes him unique above all other
religiousleaders or persons who have ever lived,
and it can be backed up with factualevidence.
The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ Some of this evidence is seen in other aspects of
Dr Norman Geisler Christ’s uniqueness.

The Supernatural Nature of Christ.

Unique in Messianic Prophecies. Jesus lived a

Orthodox Christians believe that Jesus is the miracle-filled and supernaturally empowered
unique Son of God in human flesh.However, existencefrom his conception to his ascension.
some unbelievers, who may or may not believe Centuries before his birth he was foretoldby
Jesus existed, do notbelieve that Jesus was supernatural prophecy.
necessarily a wise or a particularly good man.
Others,such as Muslims, think that Jesus was a The Old Testament, which even the most
prophet,along with other prophets. Hinduism ardentcritic acknowledges was in existence
depicts Christ as one among many greatgurus. centuries before Christ, predicted the where (
Liberal Christians and many others hold Christ as Micah 5:2 ), the when ( Dan. 9:26 ), and the how (
a good human being anda great moral example. Isa. 7:14 ) of Christ’s entry intothe world. He would
be born of a woman ( Gen. 3:15 ) from the line of
In his essay 'Why I Am Not a Christian,' Adam’s sonSeth ( Gen. 4:26 ), through Noah’s son
theagnostic Bertrand Russell wrote, 'Historically it Shem ( Gen. 9:26–27 ), and Abraham ( Gen.12:3 ;
is quite doubtful whetherChrist ever existed at all, 15:5 ). He would come through the tribe of Judah
and if he did we know nothing about him.' As ( Gen. 49:10 ) and wouldbe the son of David ( 2
toChrist’s character, he said, 'I cannot myself feel Sam. 7:12f .). The Old Testament predicted that
that either in the matter ofwisdom or in the matter Christwould die for our sins ( Psalm 22 ; Isaiah 53
of virtue Christ stands quite as high as some ; Dan. 9:26 ; Zech. 12:10 ) andwould rise from the
otherpeople known to history. I think I should put dead ( Pss. 2:7 ; 16:10 ).
Buddha and Socrates above him inthose
respects' (Russell, Why I Am Not aChristian ). All of these supernatural prophecies wereuniquely
fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This is not true of any
Deity and Humanity great religiousleader or person who has ever
lived, including Muhammad.
Christianity is uniqueamong world religions, and
Christ’s true uniqueness is the centerpiece Unique inConception. Christ was not
ofChristianity. The truth about Christ is based onlysupernaturally anticipated; he was also
primarily on the New Testamentdocuments which miraculously conceived. While announcinghis
have been shown elsewhere to be authentic. The virgin conception, Matthew ( 1:22–23 ) points to the
New Testament record, especially the Gospels, is prophecy of Isaiah (7:14 ). Luke, a physician,
one of themost reliable documents from the records this miraculous inception of human life
ancient world. From these documents we (Luke 1:26f .); Paul alludes to it in Galatians 4:4 .
learnthat numerous facets of Christ are absolutely Of all human conceptions,Jesus’ stands as unique
unique. and miraculous.

Jesus Christ was unique in that he alone, ofall Unique inLife. From his very first miracle in Cana
who ever lived, was both God and man. The New ofGalilee ( John 2:11 ), Jesus’ ministry was
Testament teaches the fullyunified deity and marked by its miracles (cf. John 3:2; Acts 2:22 ).
These were not healings of delusional illnesses,

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 nor were theyexplainable on natural grounds. was not only predicted in the Old Testament (
They were unique in that they were Psalms 2 , 16 ),but Jesus himself predicted it from
immediate,always successful, had no known re the very beginning of his ministry: He said,'
lapses, and healed illnesses that wereincurable ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in
by medicine, such as persons born blind ( John 9 three days.’ . . . But thetemple he had spoken of
). Jesus even raisedseveral people from the dead, was his body' ( John 2:19 , 21 ; Matt. 12:40–42 ;
including Lazarus whose body was already to 17:9). Jesus demonstrated the reality of his
thepoint of rotting ( John 11:39 ). resurrection in twelve appearances overforty days
to more than 500 people.
Jesus turned water to wine ( John 2:7f .),walked
on water ( Matt. 14:25 ), multiplied bread ( John Unique in theAscension. Just like his entrance
6:11f .), opened theeyes of the blind ( John 9:7f .), into thisworld, Jesus’ departure was also
made the lame to walk ( Mark 2:3f .), cast miraculous. After commissioning his disciples,'he
outdemons ( Mark 3:10f .), healed all kinds of was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud
sicknesses ( Matt. 9:35 ), includingleprosy ( Mark hid him from their sight.They were looking intently
1:40–42 ), and even raised the dead to life on up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly
several occasions( Mark 5:35f .; Luke 7:11–15 ; twomen dressed in white stood beside them' (
John 11:43–44 ). When asked if he was Acts 1:10 ). Contrary to the view ofsome, this was
theMessiah, he used his miracles as evidence to not a 'parable' but a literal bodily ascensioninto
support the claim saying, 'Go backand report to heaven from which he will return in the same
John what you hear and see: The blind receive literal body to reign in thisworld ( Acts 1:11 ; Rev.
sight, the lamewalk, those who have leprosy are 1:7 , 19–20 ). The great Christian creeds
cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised' (Matt. clearlyemphasize the miraculous bodily ascension
11:4–5 ). This outpouring of miracles was set forth of Christ.
ahead of time byprophets as a special sign that
Messiah had come (see Isa. 35:5–6 ). Unique inSinlessness. Some of Jesus’ enemies
Nicodemuseven said, 'Rabbi, we know you are a broughtfalse accusations against him, but the
teacher who has come from God. For no verdict of Pilate at his trial has beenthe verdict of
onecould perform the miraculous signs you are history: 'I find no basis for a charge against this
doing if God were not with him' (John 3:2 ). man' ( Luke23:4 ). A soldier at the cross agreed
saying, 'Surely this was a righteous man'( Luke
Unique inDeath. Events surrounding Christ’s 23:47 ), and the thief on the cross next to Jesus
death weremiraculous. This included thedarkness said, 'This man hasdone nothing wrong' ( Luke
from noon to 3 p . m . ( Mark 15:33 ) and the 23:41 ).
earthquakethat opened the tombs and rent the
temple veil ( Matt. 27:51–54 ). The manner inwhich For a description of what those closest toJesus
he suffered the excruciating torture of crucifixion thought of his character, Hebrews says that he
was miraculous. Theattitude he maintained was tempted as a man 'yetwithout sinning' ( 4:15
toward his mockers and executioners was ). Jesus himself once challenged his accusers,
miraculous,saying, 'Father forgive them, for they 'Which ofyou convicts me of sin?' ( John 8:46 ),
do not know what they are doing' ( Luke23:34 ). but no one was able to find him guiltyof anything.
The way in which he actually died was This being the case, the impeccable character of
miraculous. As Jesus said, 'I laydown my life—only Christ gives adouble testimony to the truth of his
to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I claim. Jesus’ sinlessness wasunique.
lay itdown of my own accord' ( John 10:18 ). At
the very moment of his departure, hewas not TheCharacter of Christ Is Unique.
overcome by death. Rather, he voluntarily
dismissed his spirit. 'Jesussaid, ‘It is finished.’ With Christ’scharacter was unique in other ways. To a
that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit' perfect degree he manifested the bestof virtues.
(John 19:30 ). He also combined seemingly opposing traits.

Unique in theResurrection. The crowning miracle In ExemplifyingVirtues. Even Bertrand Russell ,

of Jesus’earthly mission was the resurrection. It who fanciedhe saw flaws in Christ’s character,

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 confessed nonetheless that 'What the worldneeds taught was not new, the form and the manner in
is love, Christian love, or compassion.' But this which hetaught it was unique. The Sermon on the
belies a belief in whatmost others acknowledge, Mount employs a fresh teachingmethod.
namely, that Christ was the perfect manifestation
ofthe virtue of love. The vivid parables, such as the goodSamaritan (
Luke 10 ), the prodigal son ( Luke 15 ), and the
Jesus’ willing submission to the lost sheep ( Luke15:4f .), are masterpieces of
ignominioussuffering and death by crucifixion, communication. Parables stand at the heart
while he maintained love and forgivenesstoward ofJesus’ teaching style. By drawing on the
those killing him is proof of this virtue ( Luke 23:34 lifestyles of the people to illustratethe truths he
, 43 ). He alonelived perfectly what he taught in wished to convey, Jesus communicated truth and
the Sermon on the Mount ( Matt. 5–7 ). He didnot refuted error.Also, by speaking in parables he
retaliate against his enemies; instead, he forgave could avoid 'casting pearls before swine.' Hecould
them. He rebuked hisdisciples for misusing the confound and confuse those who did not wish to
sword ( Matt. 26:52 ), and miraculously believe (the outsider), yetilluminate those who did
reattachedand healed the amputated ear of one desire to believe (the insider). While the use
of the mob who came to take him to his death( ofallegories and parables themselves was not
Luke 22:50 ). unique, the manner in which Jesusemployed
parables was. He brought the art of teaching
Jesus was the perfect example of eternal mystery in termsof everyday experience to
patience,kindness, and compassion. He had a new height. The 'laws of teaching' identified
compassion on the multitudes ( Matt. 9:36 ), tothe bymodern pedagogues (Shafer, SevenLaws ),
point of weeping over Jerusalem ( Matt. 23:37 ). were practiced perfectly in Jesus’ teachingstyle.
Even though he justlycondemned (in no uncertain
terms) the Pharisees who misled the innocent ( The manner in which Jesus taught was
Matt.23 ), he did not hesitate to speak with Jewish unique.The Jewish intellectuals admitted, 'No one
leaders who showed interest (John 3 ). ever spoke the way this man does' (John 7:46 ).
As he taught in parables, he was thronged by the
In Combining SeeminglyOpposite Traits. One of multitudes ( Matt.13:34 ). As a lad, he impressed
the unique thingsabout Christ is the way he even the rabbis in the temple. For 'Everyone
brought together in his person characteristics whoheard him was amazed at his understanding
thatin anyone else would seem impossible. He and his answers' ( Luke 2:47 ). Later,he
was a perfect example of humility, tothe extent of confounded those who attempted to trick him so
washing his disciples’ feet ( John 15 ). Yet he that 'No one could say a wordin reply, and from
made bold claimsto deity, such as, 'I and the that day on no one dared to ask him any more
Father are One' ( John 10:30 ) and 'before questions' (Matt. 22:46 ).
Abrahamwas, I AM' ( John 8:58 ; cf. Exod. 3:14 ).
The claim, 'I am meek and lowly inheart' ( Matt. ChristIs Superior.
11:29 ) sounds arrogant, but he backed his words
among littlechildren ( Matthew 18 ). Yet he was so Jesus Christ was unique inevery way. From his
strong as to overturn the tables of thosewho complete deity to his perfect humanity; from his
merchandised God’s house, cracking a whip to miraculousconception to his supernatural
chase away their animals ( John2 ). Jesus was ascension; from his impeccable character to
known for the virtue of kindness, yet he was hisincomparable teaching—Jesus stands above all
severe withhypocrites who misled the innocent ( other religious or moralteachers.
Matthew 23 ).
Christ Is Superior toMoses. As a Jew himself,
Life andTeaching. As Jesus himself declared, Jesus had noargument with Moses, the prophet
thesubstance of what he taught finds its roots in who brought the Jewish law and led theIsraelites
the Old Testament ( Matt. 5:17–18). He out of Egyptian bondage to freedom as an
condemned meaningless traditions and independent nation. Mosesand Jesus were
misinterpretations of the OldTestament ( Matt. prophets of the same God, and Jesus said that he
5:21f ., 15:3–5 ). Though theessence of what he did not come toabolish the law (found in the

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 writings of Moses) but to fulfill it ( Matt. 5:17).
Jesus implies that Moses’ words are God’s words Christ’s claims aresuperior to those of Moses.
(compare Matt. 19:4–5 withGen. 2:24 ). However, Moses never madea claim to be God and did
in many respects, we find that Jesus is superior nothing other than fulfill his role as a
toMoses. prophet.Jesus did claim to be God and predicted
his own resurrection to proveit.
Christ is a superiorprophet to Moses. In
Deuteronomy 18:15–19 ,Moses predicted that God Christ IsSuperior to Muhammad. Muhammad, the
would raise up a Jewish Prophet with a special founderof Islam agreed with Jesus and Moses
message.Anyone who did not believe this prophet that God is one, that he created the universe,and
would be judged by God. This passage hasbeen that he is beyond the universe. There is
traditionally interpreted as referring to Messiah. considerable agreement over theevents of the
Genesis 3:15 is alsounderstood by many to refer first sixteen chapters of Genesis, to the point
to Jesus as the seed of the woman who would where Hagar wascast out from Abram’s house.
crushthe head of the serpent. After this, the Bible focuses on Isaac while Islamis
concerned with what happened to their forefather,
Christ’s revelation issuperior to that of Moses. Ishmael. The teaching ofMuhammad may be
'The Law was giventhrough Moses; Grace and summarized in the five doctrines:
truth were realized through Jesus Christ' ( John
1:17). While Moses set up the moral and social 1. Allah is the one trueGod.
structures which guided the nation,the law could 2. Allah has sent manyprophets, including Moses
not save anyone from the penalty of their sins, and Jesus, but Muhammad is the last andgreatest.
which is death. AsPaul says, 'by the works of the 3. The Qur’an is the supreme religious book,taking
law no flesh will be justified in his sight; forthrough priority over the Law, the Psalms, and the Injil
the law comes the knowledge of sin' ( Rom. 3:20 (Gospels) ofJesus.
). The revelation whichcame through Jesus, 4. There are manyintermediate beings between
though, was one in which the sins which the law God and us (angels), some of whom are good
made knownare forgiven, 'being justified as a gift and someevil.
by his grace through the redemptionwhich is in 5. Each man’s deeds will be weighed to determine
Christ Jesus' ( Rom. 3:24 ). Christ’s revelation who will go to heaven and hell atthe resurrection.
builds on thefoundation of Moses by solving the The way to gain salvation includes reciting the
problem of which the law made usaware. Shahadahseveral times a day ('There is no God
but Allah; and Muhammad is his
Christ’s position issuperior to that of Moses. prophet.'),praying five times a day, fasting a
Moses is thegreatest of the Old Testament month each year, almsgiving, and
prophets, but Jesus is more than a prophet. As makingpilgrimages to Mecca.
theEpistle to the Hebrews says, 'Moses was
faithful in all his house as a servant, for Christ offers a superiormessage. Jesus made
atestimony of those things which were to be superior claims to thosemade by Muhammad.
spoken later; but Christ was faithfulas a Son over Jesus claimed to be God.Muhammad claimed
his house' ( Heb.3:5–6 ). While Moses served God, only to be a mere man who was a prophet.
Jesus was declared to be the Son of God withthe IfJesus, then, is not God, he is certainly no
right to rule over all servants. prophet. Jesus offered a superiorconfirmation for
his claims. Jesus performed numerous miracles.
Christ’s miracles aresuperior to those of Moses. Muhammadperformed no miracles and admitted
Moses performedgreat miracles, but Christ’s in the Qur’an that Jesus did many. Only Jesusdied
miracles were greater in degree. Moses liftedthe and rose from the dead.
bronze serpent to give healing to those who
would look, but in this he wasmerely following Christ offers a betterway of salvation. Unlike the
instructions. He never made the blind to see, or God of Islam,the God of the Bible reached out to
the deaf tohear. Also, there is nothing in Moses’ us by sending his Son to earth to die forour sins.
ministry to compare with the resurrectionof Muhammad offered no sure hope for salvation,
Lazarus or of Christ. only guidelines forworking oneself into Allah’s

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 favor. Christ provided all that is needed to get suffer, because it is their destiny, asdetermined
usto heaven in his death, 'For Christ also died by karma . Jesus said,'Love your neighbor as
once for all, the just for theunjust, in order that he yourself.' He defined neighbor as anyone in need
might bring us to God' ( 1 Peter 3:18 ). of help.John said, 'But whoever has the world’s
goods, and sees his brother in need andcloses
Christ offers a superiormodel life. Muhammad his heart against him, how does the love of God
spent the last ten yearsof his life at war. As a abide in him?' ( 1 John3:17 ). Also, many, if not
polygamist he exceeding even the number of most, gurus use their esteemed position to
wives (four)he had prescribed for his religion. He exploittheir followers financially and sexually. The
also violated his own law by plunderingcaravans Bagwan Sri Rajneesh accumulateddozens of
coming to Mecca, some of whom were on Rolls Royces as gifts from his followers. The
pilgrimage. He engaged inretaliation and revenge, Beatles becamedisenchanted with the Maharishi
contrary to his own teaching. Mahesh Yogi when they learned that he was
muchmore interested in the body of one of the
Jesus Is Superior toHindu Gurus. In Hinduism a women in their party than with any oftheir spirits.
guru is a teacher. The Hindu scripturescannot be They admitted, 'We made a mistake.' Even the
understood by reading; they must be learned from respected guruMahatma Gandhi slept with
a guru. These holymen are worshiped even after women other than his wife.
their deaths as supposed incarnations of the
gods.What they teach is that humans need Jesus gives a superiorpath to enlightenment.
liberation from the endless cycle ofreincarnation ( While the gurus arenecessary to understand the
samsara ) whichis brought on by karma , sacred writings of Bhagavad Gita and the
theeffects of all words, deeds, and actions in the Upanishads , there is no esoteric orhidden truth in
present and all former lives.Liberation ( moksha ) the Bible that must be explained apart from
is obtainedwhen the individual expands his being ordinaryunderstanding. Christian meditation is not
and consciousness to an infinite level andrealizes an effort to empty the mind, butrather to fill it with
that atman (the self) isthe same as Brahman (the the truth of Scriptural principles ( Psalm 1 ).
oneabsolute being from which all multiplicity Inwardmeditation is like peeling an onion; you
comes). keep tearing off layer after layeruntil, when you
reach the middle, you find that there is nothing
In other words, each Hindu must realizepersonal there.Meditation on God’s Word begins with
godhood. Such a realization can only be achieved content and opens up the meaning until ityields
by following Jnana Yoga— salvation by knowledge contentment of soul.
of theancient writings and inward meditation;
Bhakti Yoga— salvation by devotion to oneof the Christ teaches a betterway of salvation. The
many deities; Karma Yoga— salvation by works, Hindu is lost in thekarmic cycle of reincarnation
such as ceremonies, sacrifices, fasting, and until he reaches moksha and is left to work the
pilgrimages,which must be done without thought way out ofthis maze alone. Jesus promised that
of rewards. Each of these methods will tosome we would be saved by faith ( Eph. 2:8–9 ;Titus 3:5–7
extent include Raja Yoga , ameditation technique ), and that we could know that our salvation is
involving control over the body, breathing, guaranteed ( Eph.1:13–14 ; 1 John 5:13 ).
andthoughts.
Christ IsSuperior to Buddha. Siddhartha
Hinduism as it is actually practiced consistslargely Gautama( Buddha is a title meaning'enlightened
of superstition, legendary stories about the gods, one') is inferior to Christ. Buddhism began as a
occult practices, anddemon worship. reformationmovement within Hinduism, which had
become a system of speculation andsuperstition.
Christ teaches a superiorworldview. Jesus To correct this, Gautama rejected the rituals and
teaches a theistic worldview. But pantheism, the occultism anddeveloped an essentially atheistic
realizationof godhood, is the heart of Hinduism. religion (though later forms of Buddhismreturned
to the Hindu gods). His basic beliefs are summed
Christ’s teaching ismorally superior. Orthodox in the Four NobleTruths:
Hinduism insiststhat suffering people be left to

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 1. Life issuffering. Jesus is a betterChrist. Jesus claimed and proved
2. Suffering is caused bydesires for pleasure and to be God inhuman flesh. Buddha was a mere
prosperity. mortal man who died and never rose again.
3. Suffering can beovercome by eliminating Jesus,however, rose bodily from the grave.
desires. Gautama simply wanted to bring
4. Desire can be eliminated by the Eightfold Path. his'enlightenment' to others to help them to
nirvana, where all desires andindividual existence
The Eightfold Path is both a system of is lost.
religiouseducation and the moral precepts of
Buddhism . It includes (1) right knowledge('Four Christ Is Superior toSocrates. Although Socrates
Noble Truths'), (2) right intentions, (3) right never started areligion, he has attracted a great
speech, (4) right conduct(no killing, drinking, following. Socrates never wrote anything, butPlato
stealing, lying, or adultery), (5) right , his disciple, wrote a great deal about him,
occupation(which causes no suffering), (6) right although these accounts maybe as much Plato’s
effort, (7) right mindfulness (denial ofthe finite ideas as the thought of Socrates. Plato presents
self), and (8) right meditation ( Raja Yoga ). Socrates asa man convinced that God has
appointed him to the task of promoting truth
The goal of all Buddhists is not heaven orbeing andgoodness by making humans examine their
with God, for there is no God in Gautama’s words and deeds to see if they are trueand good.
teaching. Rather they seeknirvana, the elimination Vice, in his opinion, was merely ignorance, and
of all suffering, desires, and the illusion ofself- knowledge led tovirtue. He is credited as the first
existence. While a liberal branch of Buddhism person to recognize a need to develop
(Mahayana Buddhism) now hasdeified Gautama asystematic approach to discovering truth, though
as a savior, Theravada Buddhism stays closer to the system itself was finallyformulated by
Gautama’steachings and maintains that he never Aristotle—a disciple of Plato’s.
claimed divinity. As to his being asavior, it is
reported that Buddha’s last words were, 'Buddhas Like Christ, Socrates was condemned to deathon
do but point theway; work out your salvation with the basis of false accusations from authorities
diligence.' As a variant form of who were threatened by histeaching. He could
Hinduism,Buddhism is subject to all of the have been acquitted if he had not insisted on
criticisms mentioned above. Jesus’ teaching making hisaccusers and judges examine their
issuperior. Further: own statements and lives, which they
wereunwilling to do. He was content to die,
Christ fills life withmore hope. Jesus’ teaching is knowing that he had carried out hismission to the
superior toBuddha’s in that Jesus taught hope in end, and that death, whether a dreamless sleep
life, while Buddhism sees life only assuffering and or a wonderfulfellowship of great men, was good.
selfhood as something to be eradicated. Jesus
taught that life isa gift of God to be enjoyed ( John Christ has a superiorbasis for truth. Jesus, like
10:10 ) and that the individual is to behonored Socrates, oftenused questions to make his
supremely ( Matt. 5:22 ). Furthermore, he hearers examine themselves, but his basis for
promised hope in the life tocome ( John 14:6 ). knowingthe truth about human beings and God
was rooted in the fact that he was theall-knowing
Christ offers a betterway of salvation. The God. He said of himself, 'I am the way, the truth,
Buddhist also teachesreincarnation as the means and the life.' Hewas, in his very being, the fount
of salvation. However, in this form the self from which all truth ultimately flowed.Likewise, as
orindividuality of the soul is eradicated at the end God, he was the absolute Goodness by which all
of each life. So even thoughyou live on, it is not other goodness ismeasured. He once asked a
you as an individual who has any hope of young man to examine his words by saying, 'Why
attainingnirvana. Jesus promised hope to each do youcall me good? No one is good except God
man and woman as an individual ( John 14:3) and alone.' Jesus was the very truth andgood which
said to the thief on the cross beside him, 'Today Socrates wanted to understand.
you shall be with me inparadise' ( Luke 23:43 ).
Christ gives more certainknowledge. While

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 Socrates taught some trueprinciples, he often was questions as, 'What is the sound of one hand
left to speculate about many important issues, clapping?' or'If a tree falls in the forest when no
such aswhat happens at death. Jesus gave a one is there to hear it, does it make asound?' One
sureanswer to such questions, because he had should be at peace with nature and avoid all
certain knowledge of the humandestination ( John forms of violence. Thissystem of philosophy has
5:19–29 ; 11:25–26 ). Where reason (Socrates) many similarities with Zen Buddhism.
hasinsufficient evidence to make a definite
conclusion, revelation (Jesus) givesanswers Christ brings superiorfreedom. Jesus allows
which might never be anticipated. humans to use theirreason. In fact, he commands
them to do so ( Matt. 22:37 ; cf. 1 Peter 3:15
Christ’s death was morenoble. Socrates died for a );Taoism does not, at least on the highest level.
cause and did sowith courage, which is certainly Taoism engages in the claim that'Reason does
to be commended. However, Jesus died as not apply to reality.' That statement itself is self-
asubstitute for others ( Mark 10:45 ) to pay the defeating, forit is a reasonable statement about
penalty that they deserved. Notonly did he die for reality. It is either true or false about theway
his friends, but also for those that were, and things really are, and not contradictory, yet it
would remain,his enemies ( Rom. 5:6–7 ). Such a claims that ultimatelytruth lies in contradiction.
demonstration of love is unequaled by Jesus commanded: 'Love the Lord your God with
anyphilosopher or philanthropist. allyour heart, and with all your soul, and withall
your mind . This is the great and foremost
Christ’s proof of hismessage is superior. Rational commandment' ( Matt.22:37–38 , emphasis
proofs are goodwhen there is sound evidence for added). God says, 'Come now, and let us reason
their conclusions. But Socrates cannotsupport his together,' (Isa. 1:18 ). Peter exhorts us to 'give a
claim to be sent by God with anything that reason for the hope that you have' ( 1Peter 3:15b
compares to the miraclesof Christ and his ).
resurrection. Pagan prophets and prophetesses,
such as the Oracle of Delphi, donot compare with Jesus encouraged the use of freedom tochoose,
the precise biblical prediction and miracles. never imposing himself on the unwilling ( Matt.
Inthese acts there is a superior proof that Jesus’ 23:37 ). Taoism askseach follower to set will on
message was authenticated byGod as true. the shelf; to give up the power to change
things.Jesus says that each person has a choice
Christ Is Superior to LaoTse (Taoism). Modern and that this choice makes thedifference. Each
Taoism is a religion ofwitchcraft, superstition, and chooses to believe or not believe ( John 3:18 ), to
polytheism, but it was originally a system obey ordisobey ( John 15:14 ), to change the
ofphilosophy, and that is how it is being presented world or be changed by it ( Matt. 5:13–16).
to Western culture today. LaoTse built this system
around one principle which explained everything Jesus allows each person the freedom to
in theuniverse and guided it all. That principle is besaved. Taoism offers only a way to resign
called the Tao. There is no simpleway to explain oneself to the way things are. Christoffers a way
the Tao. The world is fullof conflicting to change both who we are and what we are, so
opposites—good and evil, male and female, light that we might knowthe joys of life. Rather than
and dark, yes andno. All oppositions are accepting death as an inevitable end,
manifestations of the conflict between Yin and Christprovides a way to conquer death by his
Yang . But in ultimate reality Yin and Yang are resurrection. Lao Tse can make no suchclaim.
completely intertwined andperfectly balanced.
That balance is the mystery called the Tao. To Conclusion. Christ is absolutely unique among
understandthe Tao is to realize that all opposites all whoever lived. Heis unique in his supernatural
are one and that truth lies incontradiction, not in nature, in his superlative character, and in hislife
resolution. and teaching. No other worldteacher has claimed
to be God. Even when the followers of some
Taoism goes beyond this to urge living inharmony prophet deifiedtheir teacher, there is no proof
with the Tao. A person should enter a life of given for that claim that can be compared tothe
complete passiveness andreflection on such fulfillment of prophecy, the sinless and miraculous

© Dr Norman Geisler 2007

Source: http://www.bethinking.org/resource.php?ID=258
 life, and theresurrection. No other religious leader
(except some who copied Christ) offeredsalvation
by faith, apart from works, based on acting to take
away the guilt forhuman sin. No religious or
philosophical leader has displayed the love
forpeople that Jesus did in dying for the sins of
the world ( John 15:13 ; Rom.5:6–8 ). Jesus is
absolutely unique among all human beings who
everlived.

Sources

J. N. D. Anderson, The World’s Religions

H. Bushnell, The Supernaturalness ofChrist
N. L. Geisler, The Battle for theResurrection
——— and R. Brooks, When Skeptics Ask
M. J. Harris, From Grave to Glory
C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
B. Russell, Why I Am Not a Christian
C. Shafer, The Seven Laws ofTeaching

This is an excerpt from Wesley Owen bookshops.

© Dr Norman Geisler 2007

Source: http://www.bethinking.org/resource.php?ID=258