CHRIST THE SON OF GOD?

No, it’s not farfetched to me. Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: he was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn’t allow you that. He doesn’t let you off that hook. Christ says: No. I’m not saying I’m a teacher, don’t call me teacher. I’m not saying I’m a prophet. I’m saying: “I’m the Messiah.” I’m saying: “I am God incarnate.” And people say: No, no, please, just be a prophet. A prophet, we can take. You’re a bit eccentric. We’ve had John the Baptist eating locusts and wild honey, we can handle that. But don’t mention the “M” word! Because, you know, we’re gonna have to crucify you. And he goes: No, no. I know you’re expecting me to come back with an army, and set you free from these creeps, but actually I am the Messiah. At this point, everyone starts staring at their shoes, and says: Oh, my God, he’s gonna keep saying this. 2005 ー Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas
 
…either Christ was who He said He was the Messiah or a complete nutcase. I mean, we’re talking nutcase on the level of Charles Manson… This man was strapping himself to a bomb, and had “King of the Jews” on his head, and, as they were putting him up on the Cross, was going: OK, martyrdom, here we go. Bring on the pain! I can take it. I’m not joking here. The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me, that’s farfetched… 2005 ー Bono: In Conversation with Michka Assayas

So Jesus died on a cross with "King of the Jews," as the Messiah. In fact, if he'd just given that bit up, you know, [he] would not have had the crucifixion. And Pilate was saying it's unnecessary. Everyone was: "this is kind of mad." Because when people say: "good teacher," "prophet," "really nice guy” ー this is not how Jesus thought of himself. June 25, 2013 – Interview with Jim Daly (Focus on the Family)

So you're left with a challenge in that, which is either Jesus was who He said He was, or a complete and utter nutcase. You have to make a choice on that. And I believe that Jesus was the Son of God. June 25, 2013 – Interview with Jim Daly (Focus on the Family)

I think it’s a defining question for a Christian: is who was Christ? And I don’t think you’re let off easily by saying a great thinker, or a great philosopher… because, actually, he went round saying he was the Messiah – that’s why he was crucified. He was crucified because he said he was the Son of God. So, he either in my view, was the Son of God, or he was… nuts. Forget rock ’n’ roll messianic complexes. This is like… Charlie Manson type dilerium. And I find it hard to accept that whole millions and millions of lives – half the earth – for two thousand years, have been touched, have felt their lives touched and inspired, by some nutter. I just don’t believe it. June 25, 2013 – Interview with Gay Byrne “The Meaning of Life” (RTE One, Ireland TV)
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Christ's Victory