criticisms of jesus as a liberator

• Criticisms of the view that Jesus was SOLELY a liberator from political or religious oppression
• Many essay questions on this topic will ask which of the three interpretations of Jesus is most valid – as Son of God, as a teacher of wisdom, or as a political liberator
• The strength of the view that Jesus was divine can be used as criticism of the view that Jesus was only a moral teacher
• Biblical passages that support the belief that Jesus was Divine and not simply a political liberator


  • 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.' (John 14.6)
  • 'The Father and I are one' (John 10; 30)
  • 'Whoever has seen me has seen the Father' (John 14.9)
• The resurrection of Jesus


  • It indicates that Jesus was divine, and not simply a political liberator
• Jesus' miracles


  • They are evidence of his divine status, and not simply a political liberator
• Occasions when God states that Jesus is the Son of God

  • The annunciation
  • When Jesus is baptised by John the Baptist
  • The transfiguration
• Something clearly transformed the tiny Jesus movement, and this was unlikely to have solely been his role as a political liberator
• Belief in Jesus' divinity as the Son of God


  It is needed to explain his authority for Christians. He would not have the same authority simply as a political liberator
• If Jesus was only a political liberator

  Claims about the incarnation and the resurrection are false
• If the incarnation and resurrection are false, then there can be no salvation
• Salvation depends upon the incarnation, according to Bonhoeffer
• Without the resurrection, your faith is futile, according to St Paul
• Believing in Jesus as the Son of God is an essential part of Christian belief, as supported by the Apostle's creed