Deity of Christ
Jesus only existed in God's foreknowledge and did not have a personal preexistence before creation.
Quick answer
The Christian response emphasizes that the New Testament clearly indicates Jesus' actual prehuman existence with the Father, rather than merely existing in God's foreknowledge. The language used by the New Testament authors does not support the idea that Jesus was only foreknown; instead, it affirms his preexistence.
Full argument
The article argues against the claim that Jesus merely existed in God's foreknowledge by highlighting that the New Testament writers could have used specific terms like 'foreknew' or 'foreknowledge' if that were their intent. Instead, they speak plainly about Jesus' prehuman existence with God. Verses such as 1 Peter 1:20 indicate that Christ was 'foreknown before the foundation of the world,' suggesting a personal existence prior to creation. Furthermore, the absence of language that would imply mere foreknowledge strengthens the argument for Jesus' actual preexistence. The article concludes that the New Testament consistently affirms this doctrine, countering the claims made by Muslim apologists like Badawi.
Key verses
1 Peter 1:20bible
For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world...
John 1:1bible
In the beginning was the Word...
Romans 8:29-30bible
For those God foreknew he also predestined...
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