May 16. Jesus as First Rate Thinker. 
Part 1. (adapted from an article entitled Jesus: Philosopher and Apologist by
Douglas Groothuis in Christian Research Journal. Vol. 25. No.2

  1. Jesus embodies the rational communication (Word) of God’s Truth. (John 1:1,14)
  2. Jesus was not a philosopher in the sense of trying to build a philosophical system from a finite human mind. He appealed to God’s previous revelation in the Hebrew Scriptures (Matthew 5:17-19; John 10:31) and issued authoritative revelation of His own as God Incarnate.
  3. On the other hand, Jesus reasoned carefully about the things that matter most—a handy definition of philosophy. As an Apologist for God’s Truth, He defended the truth of the Hebrew Scriptures as well as His own teachings and actions.
  4. We are called to walk as He walked (1 John 2:6)
  5. If the founder of Christianity is a great thinker, His followers should never demean the human mind. (Matthew 22:37-39; Romans 8:1-2)
  6. Jesus’ statement in Matthew 18: 3-5 does not mean we should become uncritical and unthinking.

 May 23 Jesus as First Rate Thinker. Part 2.

  1. Escaping the horns of a dilemma. (Matthew 22:23-28)
  2. A Fortiori arguments (John 7:21-24; Luke 13:10-17)—will only cover one.
  3. Modus Ponens (Matthew 11:4-6; see also Luke 7:22)
  4. Other Appeals to Evidence.—will just refer to the list on outline. 

1. He acts in the same manner as the Father by giving life to the dead (John 5:19-21).

2. He judges as a representative of the Father and with His authority (5:22,27).

3. If He is not honored, God the Father is not honored (5:23).

4. The one who believes in Jesus believes also in God (5:24-25).

5. Like God (see Deut. 30:19-20), He has life in Himself (5:26).

6. He is in complete agreement with the Father, whom He perfectly pleased - a claim no Jew in the Hebrew Scriptures ever made (5:30).

7. John the Baptist, a respected prophet, testified to Jesus' identity (John 5:31-35).

8. Jesus' miraculous works also testified to His identity (5:36).

9. The Father testified to Jesus' identity (5:37).

10. The Scriptures likewise testified to His identity (5:39). 

11. Moses testified to who Jesus is (5:46).

  1. Reductio Ad Absurdum arguments (Matthew 22:41-46; 12:25-27)—will cover only one.
  2. Final points—2 Timothy 3:15-17, John 16:12-15, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
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