Mike said the following...
There's a clear aspect over the first hundred years or so of making things up as you go, and that's not surprising: You have to adapt to unfolding developments. The imminence of God's kingdom as preached by John the Baptist, and by Jesus, didn't pan out. Jesus, a possible candidate for the job of messiah, went and got himself killed, necessitating a revised understanding of what the "messiah" was supposed to be. The earliest three gospels—the "synoptics"—never actually claimed divine status for Jesus. The latest—John—definitely does. An evolving Christology tried to make sense of who Jesus was, and of his program. Non-Jews increasingly entered the fray, bringing their own theological baggage from across the ancient world. Much remained to be worked out. Gnosticism, and a host of other "heresies," had to be defeated. "Orthodoxy" (the name by which we now refer to what remained after the theological battles of the first couple of centuries) had to be defined. It was not until the third century that Tertullian explicitly referred to the Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It was not until the fourth century that the thing was codified in the Nicene Creed. Over time, Jesus actually became God, a development that may have surprised him.
Making things up? Really? What's your source, or is that something that you actually made up? Of course the early Church defended the divine nature of Jesus Christ from the heresies that falsified it. To defend something, you already have to know that it is true. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that.
464 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, nor does it imply that he is the result of a confused mixture of the divine and the human. He became truly man while remaining truly God. Jesus Christ is true God and true man. During the first centuries, the Church had to defend and clarify this truth of faith against the heresies that falsified it.
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p1.htm
Sure it took centuries for the Doctrine to develop. But that doesn't take away from the truth. Even the cannon of the Bible wasn't approved until A.D. 350 but we know that the books that were approved in that cannon existed 250 years earlier. That doesn't change the words that were written in those books. Time doesn't change the truths that are contained in those Doctrines and have been revealed to us. The following two links explain how doctrine is developed, that it comes from what has already been revealed to us, and with guidance from the Holy Spirit is presented to us as a response to false teaching such as the heresies. Hmm, same thing I'm doing here in response to the false teaching of a certain atheist.
https://www.ncregister.com/blog/development-of-catholic-doctrine-a-primer
https://scalar.usc.edu/works/god-man-and-the-universe-week-two/what-is-development-of-doctrine-and-how-does-it-take-place
Likewise the centuries between the time when the Church was defending the divinity of Jesus Christ and the first century when Jesus Christ lived and the Gospels were written doesn't change the words of those Gospels or the proclamations of the early church fathers who confirmed those truths.
Here's how we prove the divine power of Jesus Christ. The Baltimore Catechism answers the following questions...
Q. 324. How did Christ show and prove His divine power?
As Christ showed and proved His divine power chiefly by His miracles, which are extraordinary works that can be performed only by power received from God, and which have, therefore, His sanction and authority.
Q. 325. What, then, did the miracles of Jesus Christ prove?
A. The miracles of Jesus Christ proved that whatever He said was true, and that when He declared Himself to be the Son of God He really was what He claimed to be.
http://www.baltimore-catechism.com/lesson7.htm
Mike makes the claim that the Synoptic Gospels never claimed the divine status for Jesus. Really Mike? Who told you that? Maybe you need to learn how to interpret the Bible. Always start with a good orthodox source.
Here's what we know.
Karlo Broussard of Catholic Answers gives us two miracles from the Gospel of Mark.
The healing of the paralytic
Consider the healing of the paralytic in Mark 2:1-12, which is also recorded in Matthew and Luke (Matthew 9:1-8, Luke 5:17-26). Although details differ in each version, all of them agree in three essential points that pertain to Jesus’ claim to be God:
Jesus says he has the power to “forgive sins.”
The scribes charge him with blasphemy in the secret of their hearts, and Jesus is aware of it.
Jesus identifies himself as the “Son of Man.”
Why do the scribes charge Jesus with blasphemy? He claimed to do what only God can do—namely, forgive sins. This is why the scribes question in their hearts, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Mark 2:6). I would venture to say that Old Testament passages like Isaiah 43:25 were running through their minds: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”
It’s interesting to note that while Jesus is claiming to have the same power as God in forgiving sins, he’s manifesting another divine power, namely, the power to read hearts (see Jeremiah 17:10, 1 Kings 8:39).
Jesus doesn’t back down from the charge of blasphemy. Instead he affirms the scribes’ thoughts concerning his divine claim by saying “that you may know that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . rise take up your pallet and go home.” Jesus’ response is significant not only because he validates his claim with a miracle, but he refers to himself as “the Son of Man.” This is yet another clue in the narrative that suggests Jesus’ claim to be God.
The “Son of Man” is an allusion to the figure in Daniel 7 that is described as “one like a son of man” who comes “with the clouds of heaven” (v. 13). This figure is commonly seen as the messianic king, but, as New Testament scholar Brant Pitre argues in his book The Case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ, this king is not just a human king—he’s a divine one (143-145).
Pitre highlights two details that suggest the figure’s divinity. First, Daniel describes him as “coming on the clouds.” According to the Old Testament, this is something only God does (see Jeremiah 4:13). Second, Daniel doesn’t say, “He is a son of man,” but he is “like a son of man.” Dr. Pitre writes, “He appears to be a merely human figure but is in fact a heavenly being” (The Case for Jesus, 144; emphasis in original).
The contemporary Jewish scholar Daniel Boyarin describes this figure as a “second divine figure” (the first being the ancient of days) and “a God who looks like a human being” (The Jewish Gospels: The Story of the Jewish Christ, 32-33).
So, let’s recap. (1) Jesus claims to forgive sins and merits the charge of blasphemy. (2) He reads the hearts of the scribes, which is a power that belongs to God. (3) He claims to be the “Son of Man,” which is a reference to the divine figure of Daniel 7.
Twenty-first-century Americans may complain that Jesus could have made it clearer by saying, “Hey, I’m God.” But for first-century Jews, that’s exactly what they heard when Jesus claimed to be the Son of Man with power to forgive sins.
Walking on water
Another event in Mark’s Gospel that supports Jesus’ claim to be God is his walking on water (see Mark 6:45-51), which is also recorded by Matthew and John (see Matthew 14:22-23, John 6:16-21).
There are three things significant about this event that suggests Jesus’ divinity. First—which is common to all three accounts—Jesus says, “It is I, be not afraid.” The second detail, also common to all three accounts, is that Jesus walks on the sea and the winds subside when he enters the boat. Third, which is unique to Mark, Jesus meant to “pass them by.”
Let’s take the first detail. What’s the big deal with Jesus saying, “It is I?” Isn’t he just letting the apostles know it’s him and not a ghost? The Greek is ego eimi, which literally translates “I Am.”
Now, if you know anything about the Old Testament, you know that “I Am” is the divine name (see Exodus 3:14; Deuteronomy 32:39; Isaiah 41:4, 43:10-11). However, ego eimi can also be used in a way to identify oneself, which is the reason why the modern translations render it “It is I.” For example, in Luke 24:39, after the Resurrection, the disciples do not recognize Jesus, so he says, “It is myself” (Greek, ego eimi autos)—that is to say, “Hey guys, it’s me.”
Since the phrase by itself doesn’t convey the meaning, we must look to the context. Should ego eimi in Mark 6:50 be interpreted in the divine sense or as self-identification? I concur with Pitre and favor the former option.
Consider how Jesus says ego eimi within the context of manifesting his power over the wind and sea. This is significant in two ways. First, in the Old Testament, God is the one with power over the wind and sea (see Job 26:11-12, Psalms 104:1-7; 106:8-9; 107:23-30). Second, Jesus’ use of “I Am” within the context of walking on water parallels God’s use of “I Am” when talking to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3:14-15. Both involve the display of power over nature. Indeed, Jesus meant to identify who he was to the disciples when he said ego eimi. He was telling them, “I’m God!”
Another divine detail is Mark’s comment, “he meant to pass by them” (6:48). As Pitre explains (The Case for Jesus, 129-130), this expression is used to describe what God does when he appears to human beings (see Exodus 33:19, 22; 34:6; 1 Kings 19:11).
In fact, when God “passes by” Moses in Exodus 34:6, God proclaims his divine name: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious.” In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of Hebrew scriptures), “LORD” here is used in place of the divine name “I Am.”So, just as Yahweh passed by Moses and proclaimed his divine name, so to Jesus passes by the apostles and proclaims the divine name. I don’t think this is a coincidence. Mark is portraying Jesus as Yahweh.
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-divinity-of-jesus-according-to-mark
Other Miracles!
There are more, just like that, not only in the Gospel of John, but all 4 of the Gospels. The following article tells you about 34 of them, Jesus calming to sea, The Resurrection, healings, feeding thousands, bringing people back to life, etc.
https://www.christianity.com/jesus/life-of-jesus/miracles/what-miracles-did-jesus-perform.html
The following article contains a list of 44 miracles, all claims of the divinity of Jesus Christ
https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=34899
Not only did the Apostles and the Gospel writers believe that Jesus Christ was divine in nature, the early church fathers also recognized that Jesus Christ is God and were adamant in maintaining this precious truth. Their quotes are contained in the next 2 articles. No Mike, not making things up on the go. They definitely knew.
Here are a few of those...
Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius, also called Theophorus, to the Church at Ephesus in Asia . . . predestined from eternity for a glory that is lasting and unchanging, united and chosen through true suffering by the will of the Father in Jesus Christ our God (Letter to the Ephesians 1 [A.D. 110]).
To the Church beloved and enlightened after the love of Jesus Christ, our God, by the will of him that has willed everything which is (Letter to the Romans 1 [A.D. 110]).
Justin Martyr
And since they are compelled, they agree that some Scriptures which we mention to them, and which expressly prove that Christ was to suffer, to be worshipped, and [to be called] God (Dialogue with Trypho [A.D. 155]).
Irenaeus
For the Church, although dispersed throughout the whole world even to the ends of the earth, has received from the apostles and from their disciples the faith in one God, Father Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them; and in one Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became flesh for our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit, who announced through the prophets the dispensations and the comings, and the birth from a Virgin, and the passion, and the resurrection from the dead, and the bodily ascension into heaven of the beloved Christ Jesus our Lord, and his coming from heaven in the glory of the Father to reestablish all things; and the raising up again of all flesh of all humanity, in order that to Jesus Christ our Lord and God and Savior and King, in accord with the approval of the invisible Father, every knee shall bend of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth (Against Heresies 1:10:1 [A.D. 189]).
Clement of Alexandria
The Word, then, the Christ, is the cause both of our ancient beginning — for he was in God — and of our well-being. And now this same Word has appeared as man. He alone is both God and man, and the source of all our good things (Exhortation to the Greeks 1:7:1 [A.D. 190]).
Tertullian
The origins of both his substances display him as man and as God: From the one, born, and from the other, not born (The Flesh of Christ 5:6-7 [A.D. 210]).
Origen
Although he was God, he took flesh; and having been made man, he remained what he was: God (On First Principles 1:0:4 [A.D. 225]).
https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-divinity-of-christ
https://staycatholic.com/ecf-on-the-divinity-of-christ/
Even the apostles knew it. And Jesus told them that once they received the power of the Holy Spirit that should be His witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:6-11
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samar′ia and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Infact at Pentecost, just 50 days after the Resurrection, Peter in his first homily confirmed who Jesus Christ was. And note that 3,000 were baptized that day. Not centuries later as Mike leads us to believe, but days later!
Acts 2:32-41
32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at[g] the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’
36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah,[h] this Jesus whom you crucified.”
The First Converts
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers,[i] what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
And the numbers grew quickly. Acts 4:1-4 tells us that 5,000 were added.
4 While Peter and John[a] were speaking to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came to them, 2 much annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that in Jesus there is the resurrection of the dead. 3 So they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who heard the word believed; and they numbered about five thousand.
After Pentecost... the Apostles went out preaching, baptizing, and building the Church. Not centuries but within days they testified as to what they witnessed, the miracles, the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the numbers of new Christians continued to increase.
Now filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples boldly disbanded and began to proclaim the kingdom of God to the surrounding regions. The lives of people affected by their witness became revolutionary. Each day, those that were formerly lost were radically being impacted by the power of the gospel.
“And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47)
“And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number..” (Acts 4:17)
“The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7)
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.” (Acts 9:31)
“And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.” (Acts 11:21)
“So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily.” (Acts 16:5)
The following two articles describe where each of the apostles went to preach. They knew the truth of Jesus Christ because they had witnessed His miracles, and His death and Resurrection! What gives credence to their testimony. How about the fact that most of them died as martyrs as these articles point out? Would you die for a lie, Michael? No! Not made up! Not even close!
Check out this Creed by Paul
1 Corinthians 15:3-11
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Most historians agree that this was written within 3 years of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Unlike Mike who falls to give us any sources, this article has a list of historians, with their quotes, who believe that.
Infact Paul confirmed that in in Galatians 1:11-20
He tells us that it was revealed to him through Jesus Christ. He went into Arabia and Damascus, then after 3 years went to Jerusalem where he met with Peter and James for 15 days, to confirm that what he was preaching was the truth.
11h Now I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin.
12For I did not receive it from a human being, nor was I taught it, but it came through a revelation of Jesus Christ.*
13* For you heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it,i
14and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions.j
15But when [God], who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleasedk
16to reveal his Son to me,l so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood,*
17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia* and then returned to Damascus.
18* Then after three years* I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas and remained with him for fifteen days.m
19But I did not see any other of the apostles,n only James the brother of the Lord.*
20(As to what I am writing to you, behold, before God, I am not lying.)
No Mike, no surprise here. Nothing made up except in your fairy tale. Jesus knew exactly that He was God. So did the Apostles who were witnesses and so did the early church fathers who this was all passedon to. All you have to do is crack open your Bible. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this thing out. Even an atheist can see it!
Links to other posts in this series:
1. Answering an Atheist: Introduction
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