Is the Messiah Divine? Unpacking the Controversy in Light of Jewish Thought
In this series, we will explore one of the most controversial ideas—one that has sparked massive conflict between Judaism and Christianity over the past 1,900 years. We will look at the idea of the 'Divinity of Messiah' in Jewish thought.
We are about to explore one of the most controversial topics. One that has sparked conflict between Judaism and Christianity for nearly 2,000 years. This topic has led to the persecution of many Jews, even to the point of death.
More than a simple theological difference, an idea that is anathema to one Biblical religion is the foundation of another.
We are talking about whether or not Messiah can be G_D.
Pre-Work
Having already laid the foundation through the exploration of the Shaliach, an agent sent on behalf of another, we will examine the texts of Jewish mysticism to see if any root ideas exist to shed some light.
It will be helpful for readers to have some familiarity with the concepts below before proceeding.
- The Shaliach: Divine Agency in Jewish Tradition.
- The Levels of the Soul
- The Unity of G_D
- The Soul of Messiah
A Few Parameters
There are a number of ways to approach this question. Did the Creator step into human form? Can a person become G_D? Before we look at these, let's acknowledge a few immovable boundaries set out by the Torah.