Greater than, Equal to Argument

There are some quasi-Christian (so-called Christian) sects which teach that Jesus is not God and/or is not equal to God.  They use a faulty argument coming from a quote in John 14:28, where Jesus says, "The Father is greater than I." They wrongly interpret this passage to indicate Jesus is not God, but they are incorrect. What is our Lord Jesus Christ really saying?  Catholic theology teaches, this passage in the Gospel of John can be understood in two ways.

First, being "greater" than another does not have to mean one is essentially different from the other, as when we say a man is essentially distinct from an animal. The idea of being greater (or Greatness) can refer to one person functioning in a greater way quantitatively, qualitatively, or even relationally in comparison to another without there being an essential distinction.

There are examples of this in the Bible. One is found in Matthew 11:11. In the passage Jesus tells us there has never "risen among [men] a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." John is not superhuman because he is said to be greater than others. All human beings share the same nature; therefore, they are absolutely equal in dignity. All equally share their inheritance in the kingdom of God. 

Second:  One can legitimately interpret the text in John 14:28 to places an emphasizes on the humanity of Christ. Jesus Christ as God came in a human form (not a Godly form). He is doing this more so for our sake, as he did in many areas where he indicates to follow the “Father’s will.” Therefore, because Jesus is fully man, it would be appropriate to say the Father would be greater than the Son. The entire verse reads: "You heard me say to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I."

Jesus was emphasizing here and in previous verses his impending death, resurrection, and departure from the apostles. This would apply to his humanity most particularly. Jesus who can say, "I and the Father are one" in John 10:30—as God, is declaring equality with God. Jesus can also say, "The Father is greater than I" in John 14:28—as man. 

Notice that both Catholic explanations of this truth do not contradict. For a religion to be real it must teach authentic and absolute truth. Authentic and absolute truth do not contradict.  This process of thought only confirms that Jesus is unique; He is man, but He is also God. This a mystery of faith. An explanation of this mystery continues by saying Jesus is two natures (divine and human) but He is one person. 

Another lesser way to explain this and which agrees with the two theological points provided is; we are ultimately meant to be in heaven with God the father and not remain here on earth’ even if it were with Jesus. This is why in Jesus says, You heard me say to you, ‘I go away,’”.and “I go to the Father.” Jesus is indicating that the better part of being with God is to be with the father in heaven. 

Let’s see what Jesus says about Himself. In the Gospel of John 8:51-59[1], when Jesus is in the temple, he refers to himself as “I Am” which to the Jews meant that He was referring to himself as God. The Jews immediately picked up stones to kill Him for what they thought was “Blasphemy.”  

Note that the above Catholic explanation does not contradict with other verses such as this one in the New Testament which support Jesus’ claim as being God. However, if you were to wrongly conclude the same as the quasi-Christian arguments, then you would have a contradiction with John 8:51-59. With such a wrong conclusion as presented by certain quasi-Christian sects, you would have to further conclude that Jesus is ether a blasphemer, lunatic or a liar. 

Denying Jesus as God and Man and denying He and the Father are one God, is not a new argument. A similar argument arose and was the product of an early heresy in Church History known as the Arian heresy[2]. Besides being a heresy, it in essence tries to place restrictions on how God can operate and reveal Himself. The scripture has it, “for nothing is impossible for God.”[3] Therefore, when God wanted to reveal Himself as man in His son Jesus Christ that was His will and action, not ours. Nor is it ours to fully comprehend the mysteries of God.

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[1] John 8:51-59:  51 Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” 52 (So) the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died?  Or  the prophets, who died?  Who do you make yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ 55 You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. 56 Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad. 57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them. “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area. 

[2] Arian Heresy: Wrongly asserts that Jesus Christ as the Son of God was begotten by God the Father at some point in time, making him a creature who is distinct in nature from God the Father and is therefore Subordinate to Him. They maintained the title God the Son but wrongly speak of Jesus true natures. The heresy began in the late 3rd century and is attributed to an Alexandrian presbyter named Arius. The heresy plagued the church into the 4th century.

[3] Luke 1:37