Thursday, August 7, 2014

Trinitarians: how was Jesus strengthened by an angel?


At Luke 22:42 Jesus is praying to the Father for strength, and verse 43 has an angel strengthening him.
  • Trinitarianism teaches that Jesus is a divine person with human and divine natures.
  • Trinitarianism teaches that it was Jesus' human nature that needed strengthening.
So why wasn't the divine person of Jesus able to strengthen his human nature?

One answer:
When you read the commentary on this scripture, they say those exact words. They say his human nature, being lower than his divine nature, needed cheering and support.

This makes no sense when you think about it. It means the divine nature was incapable of doing anything. Notice, this is the second time angels came to strengthen him. The first is at Matt 4:11.
Me:
Excellent reference. Mat. 4:11 says "angels came and began to minister to him." If Trinitarianism were true, then surely those angels would not be so indiscreet to presume that they could encourage the human nature of the divine person of Jesus!

An answer from a Trinitarian:
1) Trinitarians: how was Jesus strengthened by an angel?

Supernaturally, of course. The Bible doesn't give the details - so how would anyone know the details? You don't; I don't. Jesus knows.

2) So why wasn't the divine person of Jesus able to strengthen his human nature?

Who told you that it wasn't? Why did you believe them? The Bible certainly does not teach that the divine person of Jesus was unable to strengthen his human nature. Are you saying that non-Biblical doctrine is one you accept as true?
Me:
Hi! "Who told you that it wasn't?" Luke 22:43.

"The Bible certainly does not teach that the divine person of Jesus was unable to strengthen his human nature." Then why did he rely on an angel?

If the Trinitarian paradigm is true, then it is most inappropriate for a mere angel to strengthen Jesus' human nature when his divine person was fully capable of doing so. Hence, my question.
Trinitarian response:
I don't know why he relied on an angel - and neither do you. Why did God rely on an angel for anything? God relies on angels throughout the Bible - though the Bible never tells us why he does so, and it is absolutely certain that he does not NEED to do so.
Me:
God uses angels in the OT but never to receive strength. But I'm glad to see you say that you don't know, that was humble of you.
Related reading:
Could Jesus Have Had Faith in God?

Related blog entries:
Defending Trinitarianism
Who was the Interceding Angel?