WAS JESUS A LUNATIC?
“SOMEONE WHO LIVED as Jesus lived, taught as Jesus taught, and died as Jesus died could not have been a liar. Let’s look at other alternatives. If we find it inconceivable that Jesus was a liar, then couldn’t He actually have mistakenly thought Himself to be God? After all, it’s possible to be both sincere and wrong. But we must remember that for someone to mistakenly think himself God, especially in the context of a fiercely monotheistic culture, and then to tell others that their eternal destiny depended on believing in him, is no small flight of fancy. It takes a raving lunatic to think such a thing. Is it possible that Jesus Christ was deranged?”82
“Yes!” yelled one of the students with a red atheist shirt.
“No, I’m afraid it’s not,” continued Dr. Peterson, remaining calm. “Today we would treat someone who believes himself to be God the same way we would treat someone who believes he is Napoleon. We would see him as deluded and self-deceived. We would hope he wouldn’t hurt himself or anyone else. Yet in Jesus we don’t observe the abnormalities and imbalances that accompany such derangement. If He was insane, His poise and composure was nothing short of amazing.83
“Let me read an observation from psychologist Gary R. Collins.”
Jesus was loving but didn’t let his compassion immobilize him; he didn’t have a bloated ego, even though he was often surrounded by adoring crowds; he maintained balance despite an often demanding lifestyle; he always knew what he was doing and where he was going; he cared deeply about people, including women and children, who weren’t seen as important back then; he was able to accept people while not merely winking at their sin; he responded to individuals based on where they were at and what they uniquely needed. All in all, I just don’t see signs that Jesus was suffering from any known mental illness…. He was much healthier than anyone else I know—including me!84
Dr. Peterson looked up from his notes and said, “I cannot personally conclude that Jesus was a liar or a lunatic. The only alternative is that He was—and is—the Christ, the Son of God, as He claimed. But in spite of the logic and evidence, many people cannot seem to bring themselves to this conclusion. My desire is that you would change your mind and trust in Christ right now as your Savior and Lord. Tonight, I want to ask for forgiveness from everyone that I’ve led astray in my many years of teaching here at Opal University. My academic pride kept me from honestly examining the truth claims of Christ and the gospel writers. It was also my pride that kept me from acknowledging Christ as Lord of my life. I think I basically wanted to run my own life and be my own god. Today, I want you to reconsider the true Jesus who is revealed in Scripture.85
“Two months ago, my wife Susan and I each confessed our sin and accepted Jesus Christ’s atoning death as the payment for our sin. We also confessed Him as the Lord of our lives. If you don’t know Jesus Christ, I encourage you to place your trust in Him right now. It is the wisest decision you will ever make.
“And now my time is up and it’s time for your questions.”
The audience applauded, with about half of them standing to their feet. Including Andrea.