UCC 107, The Uniqueness of Jesus

Instructor: Mrs. Levina Mulandi.

My Report, with Summary and Reflection, on Josh McDowells book, More Than a Carpenter

Benson Karanja,
Student No. 2961,
bensonkaranja@icloud.com, +254 733 749 777
Submission Date: June 21, 2016.

UCC 107, The Uniqueness of Jesus

Introduction

In Summary

My Reflection

Confirmation of Authorship

Introduction
My Report, highlights my observation on the journey that has been the reading of More
Than a Carpenter, authored by Josh McDowell. I will, chapter by chapter highlight the
What? in my attempt to detail what this thought provoking author communicates, and
within the framework of So What? mindset - guided by what influences me the most. In
reflection, the Now What? frame of mind will dictate as detailed, my state of life in respect
to knowledge, my intellect and visibility (sight) with the celebrating departure of the nativity
thought process that has been my shameful Christian walk.

In Summary
Josh McDowell, in his book, is unsettled with the largely agreeable fact that Jesus Christ
was a great religious leader; believing that He was much more, examining why His name is
irritative. The author differentiates Jesus from other religious leaders and documents that Jesus
claimed to be God. Jesus Christ is actually a name and title, a fact that J. McDowell goes
ahead to unveil, followed by a deep dive into the New Testament where he highlights 20
Scriptural references that present Jesus Christ as God. Least you think that these can only be
attributed to others, the author concludes after several references that Not only did Jesus
claim equity with God as His Father, but he also asserted that He was one with the Father.
Blasphemous to the Jews, confirmed by Jesus Christ in his trial, and declared by the chief
priests, elders and scribes, the authors helps me to see the truth as it is: Jesus Christ is GOD.

The author of More Than a Carpenter is categorical that Jesus claimed to be God,
leaving no other options open. He interrogates Jesus claim as intended or unintended
falsification that would imply deliberate lying or lunacy respectively. Jesus walk, talk and
subsequent death discounts him from any lying, while the skill and depth of his teachings
support the case only for his total mental soundness - Clark H. Pinnock. Josh McDowell
cannot 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, this despite the rejection by many people because of
moral implications involved, the author explains.

The writer now deals with the obstructive issue of scientific proof, which is based on
showing that something is a fact by repeating the event in the presence of the person
questioning the fact - in a controlled environment where observations can be made, data
drawn, and hypothesis empirically verified, explains Josh McDowell. He documents that the
scientific method is in adequate for proving historical events or persons, and recommends the
use of legal-historical proof - interrogating evidence beyond reasonable doubt. In closing, the
author highlights intelligent faith that is in no way ignorant, promising to look at the evidence
for the reliability of the written documents, and for the credibility of the oral testimony and
eyewitness accounts of Jesus in the succeeding chapters.

Josh McDowell negates the view by many that the New Testament was written long
after Christ. He quotes William Albright (the worlds foremost biblical archaeologist: We can
already say emphatically that there is no longer any solid basis for dating any book of the New
Testament after about A.D. 80.. In my opinion, every book of the New Testament was
written by a baptized Jew between the forties and the eighties of the first century A.D..The
author has 3 tests that the New Testament, just like any piece of literature of history, should be
subject to in determining historical reliability: the Bibliographical test, the Internal Evidence
test, and the External Evidence test. Based on the application of the same tests on any
historical literature, whether secular or Biblical, the writer is of the believe that, the Bible is
trustworthy and historically reliable in its witness about Jesus.

In keeping with his promising to look at the evidence for the reliability of the written
documents, and for the credibility of the oral testimony and eyewitness accounts of Jesus the
author now looks at how the changes lives of Jesus apostles validate His claims. Josh
McDowell trusts the apostles testimonies because of those men, eleven died martyrss death
on the basis of two things: the resurrection of Christ, and their belief in him as the Son of
God. In as much as people have died for a lie thinking it was the truth, the writer of More
Than a Carpenter argues that the apostles spoke and wrote as eyewitnesses of the events they
described, and that they had to be convinced of Jesus resurrection, in many ways - the tipping
point. He quotes Kenneth Scott Latofurettes writings: The effects of the resurrection and the
coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples were . . . .of major importance. From
discouraged, disillusioned men and women . . . . . they were made over into a company of
enthusiastic witnesses. The steadfastness of the apostles even to death cannot be explained
away, concludes the author.

The death of Jesus Christ, the forewarning and crucifixion was beyond comprehension
for his disciples, that is before the resurrection. The Messiah would bring victory and
prosperity to the Jewish nation. Josh McDowell explains: . the apostles attitude towards
Christ: their expectation of a reigning Messiah.The writer is of the view that with Calvary,
all hopes departed of Jesus being their Messiah. Discouraged, they returned to their
homes. The author concludes that only the resurrection and resultant contact with Christ
convinced his followers he was the Messiah. To this they testified not only with their lips and
lives, but with their deaths.

The writer continues with the promise look at the evidence for the reliability of the
written documents..), with key highlights of the Saul to Paul transformative journey. He
paints the picture of an highly schooled zealous religious leader living an elitist life as a
Roman citizen, with access to instruments of power to bound and detained the followers of the

Way. On being blinded in his encounter with Jesus, the author explains that: The
announcement that is was Jesus of Nazareth left him trembling and astonished, radically
affecting Sauls character, his relationship with the followers of Jesus, his message and his
mission. Josh McDowell explains: .. Paul was so convinced of Christs resurrection from
the dead that he, too, died a martyrs death for his beliefs.

Professor McDowell, as referred by one student, poses two questions: Does

Christianity have a historically accountable basis? Is sufficient evidence available to warrant
belief in the resurrection? In dealing with the question: Did the resurrection really happen?,
the writer examines Jesuss burial, the empty tomb, the theory of the wrong tomb, the swoon
theory, and the theory of the stolen body. Josh McDowell documents the observations of
various legal experts, and the presents the three pointed relevancy of the Christs resurrection
in ones life: First of all, he can know that his sins are forgiven. Second, he can be assured of
eternal life and his own resurrection from he grave. Third, he can be released from a
meaningless and empty life and be transformed into a new creature in Jesus Christ.

The author deals with the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus life, stating that: .there
are 60 major messianic prophecies and approximately 270 ramifications that were fulfilled in
one person, Jesus Christ. He is categorical that: ..God wrote an address in history to
single out his Son, the Messiah, the Savior of mankind, from anyone who has ever lived in
history - past, present, future. Two objections are highlighted by the writer, one being that the
prophecy was coincidental; the other being that Jesus deliberately attempted to fulfill the
Jewish prophecies. He explains that God wanted Jesus Christ to have all the credentials he
needed when he came into the world and he alone can fulfill the greatest prophecy of all
for those who will accept it - the promise of new life.

Josh McDowell ponders on the question: why one has to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord
in order to have a relationship with God and experience the forgiveness of sin?. He is of the
opinion that there is a misunderstanding of Gods basic nature and character, and is of the view
that Christ not only died for us but he also died for the Father. In concluding, the author
explains that God forgives, but was willing as well to pay the price through the cross because
forgiveness has a price.
The writers life is changed, and he owes this to the risen Christ Jesus. Josh McDowell
details the journey and struggle: like a boat out in the ocean being tossed back and forth by
the waves, the circumstances. The turning point, was when his friends challenged him to
examine the claims that Jesus Christ is Gods Son. Then the change happened, he explains,as
he prayed four things to establish a relationship with the resurrected, living Christ..,
gratitude for Jesus death for him, confessing the unpleasing things to God and seeking

forgiveness, deciding to open the door of his heart and life entrusting Jesus as Savior and
Lord, and thanking Him for coming into my life by faith - faith upon evidence, facts of
history and Gods Word. The writer is of the view that Jesus Christ is in the business of
changing lives.

My Reflection
In many ways, my thoughts were, and are disturbed. My world view is disrupted. My
mind is refreshed with the truth, accepting intellectual stimulation to accommodate historical
facts, (such as Pilates Letter to Caesar: Actipalate, http://runholy.com/pilates-letter-tocaesar/), secular evidence and continued examination and unapologetic of Jesus centric Gods
Word. I am becoming less judgmental, less rushy to criticize the unbelievers, more patient as
it hits me that God owns the time - and has the time to engage the required due process in
effecting a sustainable relationship with those around me. When all is said and done, I am
grateful to God for the forgiveness of my sin at the heavy associated cost, and that He is Lord
Jesus, Savior to me a walk of faith, but until now, factual faith. This is the Now What?.

Confirmation of Authorship
I hereby formally declare that the work submitted is entirely my own and does not
involve any additional human assistance. I also confirm that it has not been submitted for
credit before, neither as a whole nor in part and neither by myself nor by any other person.
All quotations and paraphrases but also information and ideas that have been taken from
sources used are cited appropriately.
Violation of these terms will result in failure of the seminar and no credits will be
awarded. I am aware that plagiarism is serious academic misconduct which can lead to further
sanctions on reoccurrence.
Benson Karanja,
Student No. 2961,
June 21st, 2016.