Expert: Edward Bode - 4/24/2011

Question
I am trying to show my Jehovah's Witness friend that Jesus is God.  What is the best scriptural walkthrough(or book) that I can share with him to prove this? Note, I am familiar with the NWT and how it changes text, so if I can prove it from his book that would be most effective.

God Bless

Answer
I do not know the JW NT.  However, there are interrelated arguments from the NT that testify that Jesus was truly the divine Son of God.
1 -- Jesus was given the title of "Lord", the Greek translation of the OT special Hebrew term [YHWH, the original Hebrew consonants; in use before vowels were added much later than the revelation to Moses].  See 1 Cor 2:8, 9:1; Phil 2:5-11; Col 2:8-9.
2 -- Jesus was the divine Word became man. See John 1:1-4,14; 8:52-59; 20:24-29; Col 1:16-17; Heb 1:2.
3 -- Jesus claimed divine power in doing miracles [see Mk 2:3-12] and in changing the law of God [see Mt 5:21-47].
For more details, check The Catechism of the Catholic Church, available online www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm
The most relevant paragraphs are: 446-450, 454-455, 464.
If you would like more from me, please feel free to write again.  
I am very intersted to know what response that you get from these quotations. Generally speaking, it is difficult to argue intellectually from texts that others are emotionally committed to dispute.
Although, you friend may not be open to an argument from history, the early Christian history has firmly defended the divinity of Christ.  [Catechism, paragraphs 465ff.]
Best wishes, Conan, and a blessed Easter.
Thanks for writing.