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• I always read that the resurrection is the cornerstone in our belief of Christ’s divinity. But when I read H.H. Pope Shenouda's book (Divinity of Christ), he mentioned things that Christ did while He was in the flesh and nothing about Jesus’ resurrection. The same applies to the late Bishop Youannis’ book (Christian Dogma of Christ). If the resurrection is the main point, how come neither one mentions it. Was it not enough to say that Jesus was born, fulfilled the prophesies about Himself, performed some miracles, died for us, then ROSE from the dead?
• Regarding the Jews’ rumor about the disciples steeling the body of the Christ, why did Jesus not appear publicly in Jerusalem to squash this rumor? Why did He limit the witnesses to around 600? When people talk about the health of Pope Shenouda, he simply appears on Aghapy TV to stop the spread of those rumors. Why then did Jesus not do the same, but left the door open for speculation whether His resurrection was true or a lie?
• We all know that the Old Testament is full of prophecies about the Christ, His birth, His ministry, His passion, and His resurrection. The O.T. also has some prophecies about the divinity of the Christ (the Lord said to my Lord, the God your God anointed You ..., etc). The Christ stated clearly that He was the Messiah (to the Samaritan woman). He also said clearly that Moses and the scriptures testify of him. The question now is from where did the doctrine of His Sonship to God come. For example, Nathaniel says, You are the king of Israel; You are the Son of God (he did not say you are God). Martha (Lazarus' sister) says, I believe, You are the Son of God (in a time where His divinity was about to be declared). The disciples worshiped Jesus after He calmed the storm, saying, You are truly the Son of God. Peter confesses to His divinity as the Son of God. The Jews themselves understood Jesus as being God every time He spoke of Himself as the Son of God (we stone You not because of good deeds but because You are a man and You make Yourself a God). The Jews' main charge against the Christ ... according to their law, He should die because He made Himself a Son of God. Jesus told the man born blind that He was the Son of God. How did the Jews know that the Son of God is God himself, especially if their understanding of the Messiah was limited to saving them from the Romans. Why did the Christ always refer to Himself as the Son of God in all times where His divinity was declared and not as God. H. H. Pope Shenouda III says that had He said so, the Jews would have stoned Him. Did not the Jews attempt to stone Him because He said He was the son of God ... why then did Jesus not clearly say He was God?