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WHO IS JESUS .. REALLY?

Moody Publishers

Contents

1. Coffeehouse Showdown.................................................92. Jesus Changing Rock Stars............................................123. The Surprise.........................................................194. A Skeptic Wants Historical Evidence..................................245. Andrea...............................................................276. Wednesday Night at the Caruth Haven Coffeehouse......................297. Jesus Christ as a Man of History.....................................378. Do You Believe Anything in History?..................................459. Jamal's Debate.......................................................5110. Atheism, David Hume, and the Denial of Miracles.....................5711. The Possibility of Miracles.........................................6112. A New Chapter for the Petersons.....................................6713. Nick and Jessica....................................................7014. The Deity of Christ in the Book of Mark.............................7415. What Did Others Say about Jesus?....................................8516. Dr. Ingraham Is Not Pleased.........................................9317. Dr. Peterson's Lecture on Jesus.....................................9718. Jesus and His Father................................................10319. Who Do You Say I Am?................................................10720. Was Jesus a Liar?...................................................11021. Was Jesus a Lunatic?................................................11422. Questions from Atheists and Skeptics................................11723. Can You Prove It to Me Scientifically?..............................12024. Good News at the Petersons'.........................................123Notes...................................................................126Acknowledgments.........................................................131

Chapter One

Late September Opal School of Religion Dallas, TX

THE AUDITORIUM was packed. Hundreds of students, faculty, and donors turned out for the humanitarian dinner, and Dr. William Peterson, professor emeritus at Opal School of Religion, was about to deliver the keynote. He walked onstage to hearty applause, spread his notes on the lectern, and made eye contact with friends.

"Thank you for that very gracious welcome. Honestly, the students who organized this event deserve all the recognition, and I'll be asking one of them to join me up here in just a moment. First, let me highlight an important upcoming event here at the school of religion.

"We're pleased to announce an exciting new lecture series entitled 'The Historical Christ: Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up.' Beginning October 8, right here in Wesley Auditorium, three professors—including two of our own—will be exploring and debating the historicity of Jesus Christ. This is something you won't want to miss."

Nick, sitting at a front table, nodded at his friend and instructor, Jamal Washington. Jamal would be one of those speakers, and Nick couldn't wait.

Dr. Peterson went on to recognize several teams of students who spent their summer months working with orphans and refugees in Majority World countries. Then, turning to his right, he invited one of them, Jessica Friesen, to join him at the podium and describe this year's student-led humanitarian campaign. Nick's heart pounded as Jessica crossed the stage. She looked stunning. He noted how long her hair looked when she wore it down, and how fit she looked, probably from her marathon training. If only I'd acted differently she might still be interested in me, he mused. Maybe I should have ... huh? His friend Jared was shoving a note under his elbow. He unfolded it and read, "Hey—dose your mouth, chump!"

Nick smiled at him, and then turned back toward Jessica. She had been completely transformed since coming to faith in Christ five months ago. All she ever talked about was Jesus. No more getting wasted with the girls at the bars on McKinney and Lower Greenville. She even turned him down one night when he asked her out for Tex-Mex. What was that about? She loved Tex-Mex. Nick was offended because her rejection seemed personal. Although she expressed genuine gratitude for his influence in leading her to trust Christ, the more she grew in her relationship with God, the less time she made for her relationship with him.

Then again, she was busy. Between her nineteen credit hours, leading the Sudan project for girls, and training for the marathon, the only time he saw her was at the weekly I am Second campus Bible study. He shook his head. Months ago he was the one resisting a romantic relationship because of her disinterest in Christianity. Now she was avoiding him! It just didn't make sense.

Jessica closed with a story about the Opal students who had traveled to Sudan during the summer. The audience was moved by her emotional appeal and responded with a round of applause and cheering as she returned to her seat.

Throughout Dr. Peterson's lecture Nick glanced at Jessica and reflected on their times together. At one point, her eyes met his and she smiled before quickly looking back at Professor Peterson. She seemed to be moving on, and Nick felt convicted that he should be thinking more about the children in Sudan.

Chapter Two

IT WAS TUESDAY NIGHT and two hundred students were packed into McCulloch Coffee House for the weekly I am Second Bible study. Following a strong set of worship songs from the band, Nick mounted the stage while everyone else found seats. He wore a black T-shirt with bold white letters proclaiming I am Second. Grabbing the microphone he spoke with clarity and confidence. "I am second, and so are you! We're second because Jesus Christ is first!" At these simple words the students broke out in applause. One thing was for certain—this group didn't lack for enthusiasm.

Nick continued, "Before we show this week's video, I'm going to read you one of the all-time greatest descriptions of Jesus Christ ever written. It's from the apostle Paul's letter to the Colossians."

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

As soon as Nick finished reading, Jessica stepped onstage and led the students in a prayer. On her "amen," the lights dimmed and the I am Second video began. Nick was pumped. This powerful story was bound to get some feedback!

The video kicked off with eerie music in a totally dark...