Deity of Christ
If being called God proves that Jesus is the Almighty, wouldn't the same hold for Moses?
Quick answer
The distinction lies in how the term 'God' is used in reference to Jesus versus Moses. While Moses is called God as a representative or spokesperson for God, Jesus is identified as God in essence, as affirmed by the New Testament writers.
Full argument
The problem with the question is that it isn’t merely that Christ is called God which leads Christians to believe that Jesus is fully God in essence. Rather, it is the way in which the NT writers use the term God for Jesus which indicates that the inspired authors truly believed and were convinced that he is the Lord God Almighty. When we examine the specific passages which call Moses God, it becomes clear that the term is used in a different context. For instance, in Exodus 4:10-17, Moses is called God in the sense that he is Yahweh’s spokesperson, given divine authority to speak on God's behalf. Similarly, in Exodus 6:28-30, Moses is made like God to Pharaoh, indicating his role as an agent rather than a claim to divinity. Therefore, Moses being called God does not imply he shares the same divine essence as Jesus. In contrast, the New Testament presents Jesus as God's supreme Agent, who acts in perfect accord with the Father’s will, thus affirming his divine nature and essence.
Key verses
John 1:1bible
In the beginning was the Word...
Romans 9:5bible
Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever.
Hebrews 1:8bible
But of the Son he says, 'Your throne, O God, is forever and ever...'
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