Liar, Lunatic, or Lord
This is one of the best philosophical arguments I have ever heard. This was an argument proposed by C.S. Lewis, and it can be an incredible weapon to bring onto the battlefield. First off for this argument to be effective everyone listening to you have to agree upon a couple points;
1. Jesus was a real historical person
2. The claims that are attributed to him in the gospels are true
Argument
Jesus was either a Liar, Lunatic, or Lord.
Was he a liar?
First off, why do people lie? They need a motive, to get out of trouble, to gain respect, to gain wealth, power, to make yourself look good. So, if Jesus was truly a liar, I think it is most reasonable to assume he would lie about ever claiming to be God. So, he would not have to be crucified, mocked, humiliated, beaten, and much more. If he was truly a liar, he was a pretty bad one. He did not gain wealth, he did not gain peace, he did not gain power, he did not gain popularity at least in a good sense, he did not gain respect, instead he lost all that he had.
Also, would you follow a liar? Could a liar really appear to be sinless? How hard would it be to convince your brother that you were the Son of God and sinless? But in reality, just a really good liar, right? Jesus would be the biggest hypocrite ever. How could Jesus teach all this and in reality, be a liar?
Jesus had no motive to lie. Does this make any sense who would lie so that they would die a torturous death only a lunatic who actually believed that they were the Son of God could do this right?
If Jesus truly did lie, how would his lie be preserved so well? In Acts 5:34-39 a priest named Gamaliel told the pharisees to let the disciples go. Then he lists two people that “claimed to be someone” and both of these people had hundreds of followers then both of these men died, and all their followers abandoned the cult. So, Gamaliel argues that if this is from man it will die out soon. But if it is from God nothing will be able to stop the spread of Christianity.
Was he a lunatic?
Jesus spoke the most profound words throughout history is the most popular historical figure yet the whole time he was just a lunatic. How could a lunatic appear sinless, speak such profound words, and convince so many people to die for him? I don’t think we would be the ones figuring out that he was a lunatic now. Also, I think your own brother would know that you were mentally insane, yet James Jesus’ brother becomes a follower and only after his death and resurrection. There is no justifiable reason for James to convert if he knew Jesus’ was a lunatic.
There is only one option left Lord.
Jesus claimed to be “the way the truth and the life” he claimed to be God saying “before Abraham was, I AM” and in Matthew 26:63-66 the high priest asks Jesus, “I adjure you by the living God, that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus then replies “you have said it yourself” then quates Daneil 7:13-14 saying that he will sit at the right hand of God and more.
These are just a few examples of the many times Jesus claimed to be God. So, if Jesus claimed to be God and was not a liar or lunatic, he must be God. No one lies to be tortured and killed, no lunatic can convince his brother only after his death that he is the Son of God. Is there any other realistic option for who Jesus is? There are no other justifiable explanations for who Jesus was, so Jesus must be our Lord.