Fifteen million people listen to the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. His guest list includes the likes of psychologist Jordan Peterson, philosopher Sam Harris, and politicians from all over the map. The sheer size of his audience means Rogan can amplify voices like few others in the “new media.” One of those voices is theologian Wesley Huff.
Unlike Huff, Rogan does not profess to be a Christian. But the three-hour dialog between the men was respectful, exploratory, and engaging. After they discussed Christianity and reasons to believe, Huff posed a personal question to his host. “What do you think of Jesus, in terms of your own journeying and trying to find answers to ultimate questions?”
Rogan dodged Huff’s question by musing over his own. “A lot of people believe that there was this very exceptional human being that existed… Does it mean he was just some completely unique human being that had this… way of educating people and spreading this ideology?” Rogan is not alone in pondering Jesus’ identity. The woman at the well and the high priest both wondered if He is the Christ. (“I am,” He said.) His disciples wondered who could calm the sea (only God, of course). Pilate asked if Jesus was a king (Jesus said yes).
Jesus’ identity is not well-framed by Rogan’s question because an exceptional human and great educator couldn’t also be a liar. Was Jesus telling the truth when He used the messianic title, “Son of Man”? Or when He said, “I and the Father are one”? Jesus risked legal jeopardy saying, “Before Abraham was born, I am.” His detractors knew He was appropriating the name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush, “I am that I am.”
Who knows who Jesus is? The angels do. They announced the birth of the “Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” The demons do, proclaiming Jesus the “Holy One of God.” Peter does. “You are the Christ,” he confessed. Doubting Thomas does. He worshipped the resurrected Jesus as “my Lord and my God.” That is the point – either Jesus was Lord and God, or He was a charlatan. Thinking of Jesus as simply a good teacher is not an option He left open to us.
Rogan recognized the implications of Huff’s question. “If you do live like a Christian and you do follow the principles of Christ,” he said, “you will have a richer, more love-filled life. But you have to submit to this concept that this guy was the child of God who came down to Earth, let himself be crucified, came back from the dead…” Rogan is right, which is why I pose a question to you. What would you say if Jesus asked you, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15).