That’s the way the question was framed, according to a friend in a church discussion group we share. Is Jesus God–Yes or No? I’ve been pondering my answer for weeks.

Clearly it’s a question some people use to decide whether or not you’re “really” a Christian. Jesus, when described as part of that ineffable mystery known as The Trinity, IS God. But what if The Trinity is one of those concepts a bunch of people thought up to bolster the separation of their “sect” from its roots? Christianity from Judaism, for instance. Who on earth could describe God in such a way and call it The Absolute Truth?

I’ve just finished reading a short book titled Unbinding Christianity: Choosing the Values of Jesus Over the Beliefs of the Church by Jan G. Linn, a pastor and long-time acquaintance of one of my sisters. As to the question above, Unitarian Universalists (where Linn seems to have settled now) might say, Okay by me if you want to think of God that way, but not a requirement. Linn himself declares, No. He doesn’t think Jesus is God.

So why be Christian? Buddha and Mohammed were historical persons who taught ethical, moral, and spiritual practices which, if sincerely put to use (like the teachings of Jesus) would surely be of benefit to humankind. The Tao Te Ching holds profound spiritual wisdom. Does it all boil down to where you started out–your parents, your country, your culture?

Maybe. I’m happy to go with my Christian beginnings. Spiritual maturity takes time. Hopping from one tradition to another until you find the one that seems to work best would be difficult to accomplish in one lifetime. Sticking with one and exploring it as long and as deeply as you can seems to be the more practical and fruitful decision.

The Bible is the book I know best, study the most, and believe has reliable guidance. In two places in particular: The Hebrew prophet Micah says, “What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” (No matter who or what your understanding of God may be?) Jesus says a great many things about love (which he may or may not have said.) But I particularly like the long talk he had with his disciples recorded in the gospel of John, chapters 14-16 or so. Jesus talks about love, trust, peace, truth, and more. This talk is reassuring, affirming, and challenging.

As it happens, quite a lot we now call Christianity comes out of the interpretive writings of Paul. After that, the ancient church fathers got together and tried to get everything tidied up in a few creeds, eg. The Apostle’s Creed. This created troublesome arguments right down the ages.

Personally, I cannot speak the Nicene Creed or the Apostle’s Creed (which begin, I/We believe…) without my fingers crossed behind my back. Thankfully we seldom use those in our church. In fact, I looked up what people are required to declare when they become “members” of my Presbyterian church. It’s just this: “Do you trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” Note: not believe, but trust. The title Savior may be somewhat problematic. Saved from what? However, the promise simply to trust puts you on the right path.

There is a further list of questions for those ordained to leadership. The questions, I was relieved to notice, are all about practices, not beliefs. Presbyterians are notorious for “believing in” stuff like Predestination. But you don’t have to. Even if you can figure out what it is. One question asks, “Do you sincerely receive and adopt the essential tenets of the Reformed Faith…” A conscientious candidate I knew once asked a pastor, “Exactly what are the essential tenets?” The answer: not really pinned down. In other words, don’t worry about it. Good to know.

Because I’ve always enjoyed so many things about “going to church”–especially in the past fifty years at Second Pres–I’m sorry to see that tradition seeming to fade by the numbers. My experience with mega-churches as “entertainment centers” hasn’t been appealing. Also, I love the hymns I grew up with, while I’m pretty much left cold by contemporary Christian music. But among the people is where tradition arises after all, and there are new ones coming along. In fact, we have a group of folks meeting at our church (funded by our church) in a community called The Open Table. It’s non-churchy church for spiritual explorers. It’s very popular, especially since it is founded on an actual table filled with food for anyone who shows up. Jesus clearly endorsed eating and drinking together as a fundamental value of spiritual fellowship.

I couldn’t help noticing in a video about current events at Second that my picture didn’t show up in any of them. I think this is evidence that oldsters like me are less involved in what’s happening now, backing off from our past decades of leadership. It isn’t just pandemic isolation. I confess that I now dodge joining committees and any form of “trying to get people to do things.” I give money, and I look forward to the day when I can be back in the beautiful sanctuary at Second Pres for traditional worship–even with the many novelties that happen there from one week to the next.

So…is Jesus God, according to me? I choose to answer YES. It is wondrous to imagine that I embody what Jesus embodied. As in the gracious greeting Namaste, the God in me honors the God in you. We are human, like Jesus, and, like Jesus, configured to receive and transmit the entire being of God. I can’t say no to that!

P.S. Please note the recent publication of my new book, The Beekeeper and other love poems. Below, you’ll find a link to amazon. This collection, unlike the two previous ones, contains no poems about Religion per se. However, as “inspiration” for poems is one way I experience God, every single one is an expression of receptivity. In that light, you’ll find an entire section titled “What’s so funny?” I sincerely trust that God delivers a sense of humor.