C.S. Lewis' Trilemma: Jesus as Liar, Lunatic, or Lord & Theological Concepts

Liar

Jesus claimed to be God (John 10:30: 'I and the Father are one'). If He knew this was false, He would be deceiving millions — yet His teachings are morally perfect and self-sacrificial. His willingness to die for truth contradicts the idea of deceit.

Lunatic

If Jesus believed He was God but wasn't, He would be delusional. Yet His teachings are wise, coherent, and transformative. He inspired the greatest moral and spiritual movement in history — not the work of a madman.

Lord

Jesus fulfilled prophecies (Isaiah 53, Micah 5:2). He performed miracles (Mark 2:5-12, John 11:43-44). He rose from the dead (Luke 24:6-7) — the ultimate confirmation of His divinity.

Incarnation

Jesus is God in human form. He forgives sins (Mark 2:5-7), accepts worship (John 20:28), and claims unity with the Father (John 10:30). The resurrection confirms his divinity (Romans 1:4).

Unique Event of Incarnation

The unique and altogether singular event of the Incarnation of the Son of God does not mean that Jesus Christ is part God and part man. He became truly man while remaining truly God.

God's Love Revelation

His life, death, and resurrection are the ultimate revelation of God's love. God is not one being among many. He is Being itself — the source of all that exists.

Divine Claim

When Jesus claims divinity, He is not claiming to be a powerful creature, but the very ground of all being — God made flesh.

John 1:1, 14

'In the beginning was the Word... and the Word became flesh.'

Philippians 2:6-7

'Though He was in the form of God... He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant.'

Hebrews 4:15

'We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.'

Colossians 2:9

'In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.'

Council of Chalcedon

Declared Jesus is one person in two natures — fully divine and fully human.

Hypostatic Union

Defined at the Council of Chalcedon (451 AD): Jesus is one person with two natures — divine and human — 'without confusion, change, division, or separation.'

Wave-Particle Duality

In physics, light and matter can behave as both waves and particles — two seemingly contradictory realities coexisting.

Messianic Prophecies

Daniel and Isaiah both prophesied the coming of Jesus with remarkable clarity.

Seventy Weeks Prophecy

Daniel 9:24-27: The angel Gabriel tells Daniel that 'seventy sevens' (490 years) are decreed to bring an end to sin and usher in righteousness.

Isaiah 7:14

'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel.' Fulfilled in Jesus' birth through Mary.

Immanuel

'Immanuel' means 'God with us,' affirming Jesus' divine nature.

Isaiah 9:6-7

'For to us a child is born...'

Wonderful Counselor

A title reflecting Jesus' divine authority and eternal reign.

Mighty God

A title reflecting Jesus' divine authority and eternal reign.

Everlasting Father

A title reflecting Jesus' divine authority and eternal reign.

Prince of Peace

A title reflecting Jesus' divine authority and eternal reign.

Anointed One (Messiah)

Refers to the prophesied deliverer in Christian theology.

Decree to rebuild Jerusalem

Issued in 445 BC by Artaxerxes, marking the beginning of a prophetic timeline.

483 years

The time calculated from the decree to rebuild Jerusalem to the arrival of the Messiah.

Suffering Servant

Describes a man in Isaiah 53 who is 'despised and rejected' and 'pierced for our transgressions.'

Messiah 'Cut Off'

Refers to Daniel 9:26, indicating the Messiah's death without earthly inheritance.

Pascal Mystery

Refers to Christ's saving work through his passion, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Pesach

The Jewish Passover meal celebrating the Israelites' salvation from slavery in Egypt.

Tacitus

A Roman historian who wrote about Jesus suffering the extreme penalty during Tiberius' reign.

Josephus

A Jewish historian who wrote about Jesus in 'Antiquities of the Jews.'

Church Fathers

Early Christian writers who had close connections to the apostles and spoke of Jesus.

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Central to the Catholic faith, demonstrating that Jesus is God.

The Holy Trinity

The Christian belief in one God made up of three distinct persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit

Attributes that are produced in the life of a believer through the Holy Spirit.

Love

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Joy

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Peace

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Patience

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Kindness

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Goodness

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Generosity

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Gentleness

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Faithfulness

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Modesty

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Self Control

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.

Chastity

One of the Twelve Fruits Of The Holy Spirit.