"Does It Matter If Jesus Is God?"
#92-17Presented on The Lutheran Hour on December 22, 2024
By Rev. Dr. Michael Zeigler, Lutheran Hour Speaker
Copyright 2025 Lutheran Hour Ministries
No bonus material MP3
Text: Luke 2:10-11
It's Christmas Eve in London—we can't be sure of the year, 1851, perhaps—in the home of England's most famous novelist, Mr. Charles Dickens. Still a relatively young man, Mr. Dickens was just about to turn 40. It's been eight years since he wrote his famous (story) A Christmas Carol, about old Ebenezer Scrooge, a story made famous by Dickens' own dramatic, public readings of the book.
But tonight, Christmas Eve, at home with his eight young children, Dickens is reading a different story for them, the original Christmas Story about the birth of Jesus, or at least a version of it. It wasn't exactly from the Bible, but based on it. It was a 124-page biography of Jesus that Dickens himself had hand-written for his children.
Opening to the first page of his book, sitting next to a crackling fire in his high-back chair, Mr. Dickens begins: "My dear children, I am very anxious that you should know something about the History of Jesus Christ. For everyone ought to know about Him. No one ever lived who was so good [as He was] ... so kind, so gentle, and so sorry for all the people who did wrong, or were in any way ill or miserable."
After a brief introduction, Mr. Dickens gets to the story proper, telling about Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, about his mother Mary and father Joseph and the trip from Nazareth. Then he comes to the part when the angel appears to the shepherds: "[the] shepherds who were watching sheep in the fields, saw an angel from God, all light and beautiful, come, moving over the grass towards them. At first, they were afraid and fell down and hid their faces. But it said, 'There is a child born today in the city of Bethlehem near here, who will grow up to be so good that God will love him as His own son; and he will teach men to love one another, and not to quarrel and hurt one another; and his name will be Jesus Christ; and people will put that name in their prayers, because they will know God loves it, and will know that they should love it too.'"i
You might recognize that as a creative rendering of the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2. Maybe you also noticed that he changed some parts and omitted others. In Mr. Dickens' account of Christmas, there's nothing about Jesus' miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit, nothing about how Joseph couldn't properly be called Jesus' father (because he hadn't known Mary in that way yet), nothing about Jesus being the long-awaited Messiah, the descendant of King David, the Word of God made flesh, God with us, as it's said in the Bible. Instead, Mr. Dickens says that Jesus "will grow up to be so good that God will love him as His own son." So, why does he say it that way?
Some people think it's because Dickens had once joined a religious group in England called the Unitarians. They called themselves "Unitarian" because they rejected the traditional Trinitarian belief in God. They believed that God was One, solitary, all by Himself—and that Jesus was not truly God's Son, but just a super good guy. And some think Dickens was a Unitarian.
Others, however, argue that Dickens was a Trinitarian Christian in the traditional sense, that he believed God is Three-in-One—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and that Jesus is God's true Son become human to save us.
I'm no expert on Charles Dickens, but I am interested in this question about Jesus, that is: does it matter if Jesus is truly God?
Now, if you are a Christian, or were raised a Christian, or know much about Christians, you'll know that this is one of the most basic teachings of our faith, that Jesus is truly God, the Son of God. He's not just some guy who was "called" God's Son because He was such a good person. No, His nature is God's nature, and now, because of His incarnation and birth, He also has a human nature. That's what we're taught, because that's what the New Testament teaches.
But when I read something like this from a famous author like Charles Dickens, it makes me stop and ask, "Does it really matter that we say Jesus is truly God? And if so, why does it matter?" Because what if we were to say: "No, it doesn't matter if you say Jesus is truly God, as long as you still follow Jesus as your example." Consider a guy like Charles Dickens: he read and studied the New Testament. And in that book about Jesus that he wrote for his children he said that everyone should know about Jesus. And he said that Christianity is concerned with doing good. He taught his children in that same book, quote: "It is Christianity to love our neighbors as ourself ... to be gentle, merciful, and forgiving, and to keep those qualities quiet in our own hearts, and never make a boast of them, or of our prayers or of our love of God, but always to show that we love Him by humbly trying to do right in everything." ii
Dickens even wrote a prayer for his children. It went like this: "O God, who has made everything, and is so kind and merciful to every(one) He made who tries to be good and to deserve it ... Make me a good little child, and never let me be naughty and tell a lie, which is a mean and shameful thing ... and let me never be cruel ... for if I am cruel to anything, even to a poor little fly, God, who is so good, will never love me ... God bless and preserve us all ... through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen." iii
Clearly, Mr. Dickens thought Jesus is important because He sets us such a good example. But this overlooks one critical point, and Mr. Dickens ought to know better... because examples don't help dead people! Charles Dickens' own character from A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge, illustrates this well. Remember? The ghosts of Christmas past and present showed Scrooge the negative example of himself, how he chose to serve his greed, his ambition, his arrogance, but neglected the people around him. And, the ghosts showed Scrooge positive examples: Old Mr. Fezziwig, his former boss, who ran a successful business, and knew how to care for people, and also how to throw a rockin' Christmas party. Then, there's the example of Scrooge's nephew, Fred, who loves his uncle even though the old humbug doesn't deserve it, and still invites him to dinner no matter how many times Scrooge refuses. And, of course, there's the positive example of Tiny Tim, with a heart as good as gold.
And these good examples are not without effect on Scrooge. Before the story's half-way through, Scrooge is ready to turn over a new leaf and never to be cruel again, not even to a fly. And all that after only two ghosts. So why does he need the third—the ghost of the future? Because this one shows him his true problem. It's not his bad behavior problem. It's his being-dead problem.
If you read chapter 4 of the book, Dickens does a marvelous job of making you feel torn between feeling sorry for Scrooge and wanting to laugh at him because he can't see what everyone else can see. Scrooge can't see it, because he thinks he's a good man now. He doesn't realize that the dead man they're talking about, whose passing nobody mourns, whose belongings they're hawking at the pawn shop, is him. He's oblivious because he's still looking for good examples for himself. But he's dead. That's the truth that needs to grip him before an example can help him.
And that's the truth of our situation, according to the New Testament. In the letter to the Ephesians, chapter 2, it says, "And you—you all—when you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you used walk." Dead, it says. "Dead as a doornail," to use Dickens' phrase. Not physically dead yet, but spiritually dead, which is worse and is the cause of physical death. Spiritually dead means dead in our relationship to God. Dead, thinking that we can save ourselves without God, if only we had enough positive role models and pithy tutorials on YouTube. But examples don't help dead people. Only God, our Creator, can make us alive again. If God's solution were to find the best of us humans, and then to give this human the honorary title of "son," and then tell the world, "Okay, everyone, I want you all to act like Him, or else I won't love you"—that would be no solution. But Jesus is more than a good example. Jesus is God's true Son. Even before He was human, from eternity past, He's always been God's Son. And His Father has always loved Him. There was no trial period for Jesus to earn the Father's love. God loves His Son because God is love. And that's how God feels toward us. God knows our situation, our being-dead problem. That's why He sent His Son to be born and became human, to take our sin and death into Himself and die for us on the cross—so that He could make us alive by His Spirit and Word and baptize us as His children. God does this because he loves you. You don't have to make yourself worthy of His love. And you can't lose God's love, because God's love isn't the sort of thing that looks for something good, and then decides to love it. God's love makes us good. God's love makes us alive again. And then Jesus can be your example. But first He must make you alive. And only God can do that. So that's why it matters that Jesus is truly God.
But maybe you're still not sure. Because, what about all those people who believe in God, even if they don't believe that Jesus is God? But they still believe in God! Doesn't that count for something? Believing in God is a good start. But then you have to ask, "What God?" What sort of God? Because believing that Jesus is truly God—God's eternal Son—changes your picture of God. If Jesus isn't God's true Son, then the most your God can be is a powerful Creator, or maybe also a wise ruler, or a terrible tyrant and a fearful judge.
But if you trust that Jesus is God's true Son, then you know that God is a loving Father, first. Before He became a Creator, before He became a ruler, before He had to be the judge, God was and is a loving Father. And that's how God, at heart, relates to us. That's what the Gospel of Jesus reveals to us. That's why Christians are Trinitarian. Because we've met God's Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem, so that we could be re-born as God's children because He loves us. But if God is so loving—I often ask myself—why doesn't He do this for everyone, automatically? Why is Jesus the only way?
Let's let Scrooge be our illustration, again. In Dickens' tale, Scrooge is made alive to become part of a family. On Christmas Day, his nephew, Fred, invites him into his home. And Tiny Tim's family—later, they adopt Scrooge, too. They all give themselves to Scrooge—family is the gift that saves Scrooge. Scrooge is redeemed by these relationships. So also, with our story, the true story: Jesus—true God and true Man—is our invitation into God's family. Because being part of God's family in Jesus is salvation. But separating yourself from Jesus is damnation. God's love is unconditional, but your life isn't. You were made for life in God. Jesus has come to bring you in. And when we're in, when we're alive, when we're part of the family, Jesus also becomes our example. But that's not all He is. First, he's our gift. And of all the good gifts that God could possibly give us, this is the best. God gives us Himself. God gives us His Son, Jesus.
If you read about Charles Dickens' religious views, some people say he was a Unitarian. But one scholar argues that Dickens was a Christian. Dr. Gary Colledge argues this in his book titled, God and Charles Dickens: Recovering the Christian Voice of a Classic Author. Dr. Colledge acknowledges that Dickens—though a literary genius—was not an academic theologian. And Dickens did attend a few Unitarian meetings in his early 30s, but soon stopped. So, Colledge argues that Dickens' life and writings demonstrate that he was a flawed, heartfelt, Bible-believing, Jesus-centered, Trinitarian Christian. And maybe—in that Christmas re-telling he wrote for his children— maybe he was just trying to emphasize that Jesus is also truly human, without denying his divine nature.
Charles Dickens' faith may be an interesting academic question. But the more important question is not what he believed about Jesus, but what you believe. What do you say about Him? And how do you show what you believe in the way you treat other people? As a Christian preacher, I pray that you would confess and worship Jesus to be true God and true Man, God's gift of Himself to give you life. And I pray that you would strive to follow Jesus' example. And if you're looking for vivid examples of how to do this, and how not to, Charles Dickens' stories wouldn't be a bad place to start. Maybe start by reading his Christmas Carol.
But now I should follow Charles Dickens' advice and leave you with a better story. When he was 48, Dickens wrote some encouragement for Christian preachers of his day. He told them: "In the New Testament there is the most beautiful and affecting history conceivable ... and there are ... models for all prayer and for all preaching. As to the models, imitate them ... As to the history, tell it. Tell it," he says, "by setting forth the history in narrative with no fear of exhausting it. You will never preach so well, you will never move them so profoundly, you will never send them away with half so much to think of."iv
So here it is, an excerpt from what the 56-year-old Charles Dickens called the best book that "ever was or will be known in the world,"v set forth in the King's English, the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2:
"And it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David). [He went] to be taxed with Mary, who was betrothed to him to be his wife, and she being great with Child. And so it was that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should give birth. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not! For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ—the Messiah, the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.'
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!'
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, 'Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.'
And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." The Gospel of our Lord.
A Merry Christmas to you from all of us here at Lutheran Hour Ministries, and God bless us, everyone. Amen.
i Charles Dickens, The Life of Our Lord: Written for His Children During the Years 1846 to 1849. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1934), 13. Accessed Nov 4, 2024 at https://archive.org/details/lifeofourlordwri011897mbp/mode/2up
ii Ibid., 124.
iii Ibid., 128.
iv Charles Dickens, "Two Views of a Cheap Theater," in The Uncommercial Traveler (New York: Scribner's Sons, 1905). Accessed Nov 4, 2024 at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/914/914-h/914-h.htm).
v Charles Dickens, Letter to his son Edward, dated 1868, quoted in The Life of our Lord, 5.
Reflections for December 22, 2024
Title: Does It Matter if Jesus Is God?
No reflection segment this week.
Music Selections for this program:
"A Mighty Fortress" arr. Peter Prochnow. Used by permission.
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" arr. Carl Schalk. From Hymns for All Saints: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany (© 2005 Concordia Publishing House) Used by permission.
"Joy to the World" arr. S. Drummond Wolff. From Hymns for All Saints: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany (© 2005 Concordia Publishing House) Used by permission.
"Crucifer" by Sydney H. Nicholson, arr. Peter Prochnow. Used by permission.
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House) Used by permission.
