In the light of the other things we know about Jesus, it's hard to
imagine that he was mentally disturbed. Here is a man who spoke some
of the most proound sayings ever recorded. His instructions have
liberated many individuals in mental burden. Clark H. Pinnock asks:
'Was he deluded about his greatness, a paranoid, an unintentional
deceiver, a schizophrenic? Again, the skill and depth of his teachings
support the case only for his total mental soundness. If only we were
as sane as he! A student at California university told me that his
psychology professor had said in class that 'all he has to do is pick
up the Bible and read portions of Christ's teaching to many of his
patients. That's all the counselling they need.'
Was He Lord?
I cannot personally conclude that Jesus was a liar or a lunatic. The
only other alternative is that he was the Christ, the Son of God, as
he claimed.
When I discuss this with most Jewish people, it's interesting how they respond.
They usually tell me that Jesus was a moral, upright, religious leader,
a good man, or some kind of prophet. I then share with them the claims
Jesus made about himself and then the material in this chapter on the
trilemma (liar, lunatic, or Lord). When I ask if they believe Jesus was
a liar, there is a sharp 'No!' Then I ask 'Do you believe he was a
lunatic?' The reply is 'Of course not.' 'Do you believe he is God?'
Before I can get a breath in edgewise, there is a resounding
'Absolutely not.' Yet one has only so many choices.
The issus with these three alternatives is not which is possible, for
it is obvious that all three are possible. But rather, the question is
'Which is more probable?' Who you decide Jesus Christ is must not be an
idle intellectual exercise. You cannot put him on the shelf as a great
moral teacher. That is not a valid option. He is either a liar, a
lunatic, or Lord and God. You must make a choice. 'But,' as the Apostle
John wrote, 'these have been written that you may believe that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God; and' - more important 'that believing
you might have life in His name' (John 20:31).
The evidence is clearly in favour of Jesus as Lord. Some people,
however, reject this clear evidence because of moral implications
involved. They don't want to face up to the responsibility or
implications of calling him Lord.
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