Bible 'expert' proclaims: Jesus is not God

Jesse Lee Peterson's radio show turned into a debate on whether the Bible says Jesus is God.

A national radio show discussing Bible truth took a heated turn Christmas Eve when a so-called biblical expert proclaimed that Jesus Christ is not God.

The assertion came during the Dec. 24 broadcast of the Jesse Lee Peterson Show, as Peterson had on several guests, one of whom was "the Bible Go-to Guy" who emphatically declared that Jesus is not really God.

"You are breaking some serious news here on this program if you're saying that [the Bible says] Jesus Christ is not God," said a stunned Joe Kovacs, author of "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told."

"It is serious news. And He is not [God]," responded the Bible Go-to Guy.

Kovacs immediately went into a strong scriptural defense of Jesus in fact being God, citing the very first verse of the Gospel of John in the New Testament.

"I'm just reading it for the words on the page," said Kovacs. "I'm trying to get people to just look at the words on the page without throwing their own spin on things. The Bible says, 'In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.' I take that to mean the Word was God."

The Bible Go-to Guy responded, "That was a misinterpretation and it should have been 'and the Word from God.'"

He continued: "In Scripture, it says that the Christ is the firstborn of creation. And then also Christ said of himself, that of myself, I can do nothing without the Father. And God cannot die. Christ died. God cannot die. It's impossible. He has lived forever. He cannot die. So God cannot die and Christ can. That was his sacrifice to us."

"This is silliness. He came as a man to die, that was His purpose – to take on our sins," Kovacs shot back. "Jesus Himself created the world. The Bible says, 'without him was not anything made that was made.'" (John 1:3)

"Jesus did not create the world," said the Bible Go-to Guy. "The world was created through Him. That's a difference."

"I'm reading right out of the Bible," said Kovacs. "He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.'' (John 1:10) "This is stunning that 'the Bible Guy' does not know that Jesus is God. I'm more shocked than I was when I wrote 'Shocked by the Bible.'"

"Well, we have our own version of 'Shocked by the Bible,'" said the Bible Go-to Guy.

Get the book that champions biblical truth and maintains that Jesus Christ of Nazareth is indeed God. Get "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told," personally autographed by the author. If you prefer ordering by phone, call WND's customer service line toll-free at 1-800-4WND-COM (1-800-496-3266) between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern, Monday through Friday.

A five-minute excerpt of the program that sparked the debate about whether or not Jesus is God can be heard by clicking the play button below:

Joe Kovacs defends Jesus as God on Jesse Lee Peterson Show

Kovacs' entire 43-minute appearance on Peterson's show can be heard here online, with Kovacs joining the program at the 1:44:14 mark explaining the details of Jesus' birth. The issue of the divine identity of Christ commences at the 2:06:00 mark.

"Everyone is certainly free to believe whatever they wish," says Kovacs. "If people don't think Jesus is God, that's their own choice. But let's not pretend the Bible doesn't say Jesus is God, because it does. When the Bible says 'the Word was God,' it means exactly what it says. Jesus, who is known as 'the Word,' was and is God. Even Jesus' other name of Emmanuel literally means 'God with us.' (Matthew 1:23)

"The Jews of His day even sought to kill Jesus because He called Himself "I AM," the actual name of God. (Exodus 3:14, John 8:58)

"Other verses in the Bible clearly reveal that Jesus is both God and the Creator of the universe, including: 'But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.' (Hebrews 1:8-10)

"And a famous Old Testament prohecy about Jesus makes no mistake about His identity: 'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God ... ." (Isaiah 9:6)

Earlier in the radio program, the Bible Go-to Guy admitted it was "eye-opening" to him when Kovacs informed him there were no wise men present at the manger scene the night Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He also was unaware that God sought to kill Moses shortly after instructing him to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. (Exodus 4:24) He did agree, though, that the Bible does not say Jesus died on a Friday or rose on a Sunday.

When asked for the real name and affiliation of the Bible Go-to Guy, the Jesse Lee Peterson Show said the man prefers to remain anonymous and use his pseudonym.

If you'd like to have your say on whether or not Jesus is God, take part in the WND poll.

Kovacs, the executive news editor of WND, champions the truth of the Bible in his best-selling book, and has been appearing on many radio shows across America in recent weeks. Five other programs can be heard here.

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Kovacs is hoping readers make the new year a time for stand up for the actual truth of Scripture.

"Why not make 2009 the year to champion Bible truth?" says Kovacs. "It's time to put an end to ancient fables, misconceptions and distortions of God's Word. All people need to do is crack open their own Bibles and see the words on the pages. They'll be stunned."

In "Shocked by the Bible," Kovacs explains that if people just read for themselves without any preconceived notions, they'd quickly discover:

• "Three Wise Men" are never mentioned in the story of Jesus' birth, and no wise men at all are shown present at the manger scene the night Jesus was born. (They showed up later at a house when Jesus was a young child)

• The Bible never outright declares the day, month, year or even season Jesus was born

• There's no mention of a Christmas tree or any tree in the gospels recording Jesus' birth. However, there is a custom mentioned in the Old Testament that shows people decorating trees with silver and gold. You might be astounded to find out what God says about such a practice

• The Bible never says Jesus died on a Friday or rose from the grave Sunday morning

• Scripture does not say Noah's Ark rested on "Mount Ararat"

• Noah brought a lot more than just two of certain animals aboard the Ark

• The word "Easter" vanished from modern Bible translations
  

• God sought to kill Moses, shortly after telling him to lead the Israelites to freedom
  

• Jesus did not come to make everyone understand His message, and personally said so

• Jesus made personal appearances in the Old Testament

• The worst case of hemorrhoids in history is recorded

And these are merely the beginning of hundreds of facts that will stun even those who thought they had a strong knowledge of the Bible and history.

"If you've never been into the Bible, or even if you have, there's no need to fear," says Kovacs. "I make it quick, easy and fun for you to find out the juiciest, most interesting stuff that never seems to get mentioned in church. And I'm not talking about trivial facts and difficult names no one can pronounce."

"Shocked by the Bible" has become an instant smash since its release, twice hitting No. 1 in three Bible-related categories on Amazon.com with readers giving it high praise.

"Shocked by the Bible" skyrocketed to three No.1 spots on Amazon.com before and after its official release

It reached the No. 1 spot on the WND Best-Seller list several times. International demand has even led to a deal to have "Shocked" translated into the Korean language.

"If you think you really know the Bible, better think again," warns Fox News' Bill O'Reilly. "Your parents never told you this stuff was in the Bible," adds radio talker and author Melanie Morgan. WND founder Joseph Farah simply says, "'Shocked by the Bible' is nothing short of genius."

Kovacs has written countless reports in his 25-year news career. Many have focused on biblical issues such as chariot wheels said to be found in the Red Sea, searches for Noah's Ark and the Ark of the Covenant, and controversies over Christmas and Easter holidays as well as the Saturday-vs.-Sunday Sabbath.

He has received many awards for news excellence from the Associated Press and United Press International. He's run television, radio and print newsrooms in the U.S., as well as Budapest, Hungary. Kovacs is also regarded as one of the premier creative headline writers in the news business today.

Find out what you've been missing. Get "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told" personally autographed by the author. It makes a brilliant gift that will be remembered for a lifetime.

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To interview Joe Kovacs, author of "Shocked by the Bible," please contact him.

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