Was Jesus capable of making a mistake?

Bezant · #1 May 8, '12, 11:59 pm

We know that Jesus was sinless, but does this mean he was or wasn't capable of making inadvertent mistakes -- the way you forget an item, for example?

**Holly3278** · #2 May 9, '12, 12:02 am

I believe He was capable of making a mistake but He did not make a mistake. He was fully God and fully man and therefore He had free will. He could have sinned if He wanted to but because He is God, He did not do so. God hates sin and therefore, Jesus also hates sin.

Pfaffenhoffen · #3 May 9, '12, 12:37 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bezant

We know that Jesus was sinless, but does this mean he was or wasn't capable of making inadvertent mistakes -- the way you forget an item, for example?

Yes.

itullian · #4 May 9, '12, 12:39 am

mistake does not equate to sin.

**tonyrey** · #5 May 9, '12, 12:48 am

1. Since Jesus was like us in all things but sin He was not omniscient while He was on earth.

2. His moral and spiritual teaching was, is and always will be infallible.

3. He was fallible in the sense that He may have made minor mistakes in everyday life - when He was exhausted for example - but in His wisdom He would have avoided speculating on subjects which do not affect our moral and spiritual development.

**tonyrey** · #6 May 9, '12, 12:49 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by itullian

mistake does not equate to sin.

Hokomai · #7 May 9, '12, 2:43 am

Assuming for the sake of the discussion that he was as portrayed in one or other of the Gospels, I think the failure to dictate a careful description of the nature of the Trinity and maybe the cure for cancer would count as mistakes. Also recruiting Judas and forgetting to make a clear statement on whether his mother is indeed the co-redemptrix would count as well.

bmullins · #8 May 9, '12, 3:03 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hokomai

Assuming for the sake of the discussion that he was as portrayed in one or other of the Gospels, I think the failure to dictate a careful description of the nature of the Trinity and maybe the cure for cancer would count as mistakes. Also recruiting Judas and forgetting to make a clear statement on whether his mother is indeed the co-redemptrix would count as well.

As to whether he made clear statements on Mary, or the Trinity those I would argue are not needed to be clear. He sent the Holy Spirit to reveal those when we were ready for them. The cure for cancer he gave us, we just don't have enough faith to use it. Miracles happen every day, Jesus walked around curing people throughout his ministry.

The other one, Judas? Not a mistake. It was prophesied hundreds of years before Jesus was ever born that it would be fulfilled in the exact way that it happened, Judas was a part of that plan. Judas was chosen, with full knowledge of his character and the role he would play. Judas still chose to do what he did, but Jesus was more than aware of the outcome of that choice.

Theresa Frances · #9 May 9, '12, 4:04 am

Being both God and man and God being a perfect being, Jesus would not have made mistakes.

Hokomai · #10 May 9, '12, 4:09 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theresa Frances

Being both God and man and God being a perfect being, Jesus would not have made mistakes.

Why is this any more logical than: "being both God and man, and man being an imperfect being, Jesus would have made mistakes"?

**tonyrey** · #11 May 9, '12, 4:13 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hokomai

Why is this any more logical than: "being both God and man, and man being an imperfect being, Jesus would have made mistakes"?

Less! There is a vast difference between moral and physical perfection...

Carolus Martell · #12 May 9, '12, 4:26 am

Jesus was God, he was capable of anything. As God I don't think it's possible that he'd make a mistake because he already knows the consequence of every action he takes.

**tonyrey** · #13 May 9, '12, 4:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hokomai

Assuming for the sake of the discussion that he was as portrayed in one or other of the Gospels, I think the failure to dictate a careful description of the nature of the Trinity and maybe the cure for cancer would count as mistakes. Also recruiting Judas and forgetting to make a clear statement on whether his mother is indeed the co-redemptrix would count as well.

Jesus didn't come for philosophers and theologians! His teaching was moral and practical rather than metaphysical and abstract. It was sufficient to reveal that God is a loving Father who cares for all His children - which is the basis of modern civilisation with its principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Jesus knew Judas would betray Him but He also knew it was necessary. Theological niceties like Mary being the co-redemptrix are far less important than His message of love and how to live according to God's Will.

Qoeleth · #14 May 9, '12, 4:54 am

I am surpised and deeply disappointed at the number of responses that Jesus could not have made a mistake. Jesus was human like us in everything but sin. This involves making normal human mistakes.

To think otherwise seems inconsistent with the doctrine of the Incarnation.

Do those who think otherwise- do you believe the Jesus could run 100 meters in 8 seconds, or that the Cross was easy for Him to carry?

aquohn · #15 May 9, '12, 6:25 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qoeleth

I am surpised and deeply disappointed at the number of responses that Jesus could not have made a mistake. Jesus was human like us in everything but sin. This involves making normal human mistakes.

To think otherwise seems inconsistent with the doctrine of the Incarnation.

Do those who think otherwise- do you believe the Jesus could run 100 meters in 8 seconds, or that the Cross was easy for Him to carry?

I don't think that's what is meant here by a mistake. That's more of not using his powers. A mistake would be more like: "Hey, Peter, go down to the market to buy some bread will ya? -five minutes later Oh, snap, I forgot to give him some cash!" or, perhaps, slightly irreverently, sprinkling while taking a leak or something.