Did Jesus actually claim to be God—or is that something later Christians added to the story?

In this episode, we tackle one of the most important and misunderstood questions in Christianity. Many skeptics (and even churchgoing Christians) argue that Jesus never explicitly said He was God. So where does this belief come from—and does it actually hold up historically and biblically?

Bible scholar Dr. Michael (Mikel) Del Rosario breaks down what Jesus said, what He did, and—just as importantly—how His original Jewish audience understood His claims. We explore the passages critics overlook, the historical context modern readers miss, and why Jesus’ divinity isn’t just a theological detail, but central to the Christian faith itself.

If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, deconstruction, or conversations with skeptics, this discussion will give you clarity, confidence, and language to engage thoughtfully.

Topics include:

Did Jesus ever explicitly claim to be God?

Why Jesus spoke implicitly—and why it mattered

What Jesus’ enemies understood that many miss today

Why Christianity collapses if Jesus isn’t divine

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