“Only God can forgive sins.” False.

Here’s the argument discussed:

1. Only God can forgive sins.
2. Jesus forgave sins.
3. Therefore, Jesus is God.   (1,2)

The argument is plainly valid. (That is: if 1 and 2 were true, then 3 would have to be true too.)

But is it sound? (Are both premises true?) One might think so. A Christian, on the basis of the New Testament, must agree with 2. And isn’t 1 obviously true?

Not according to Jesus. Is he your teacher? If so, then you should not make the above argument. Even if 3 is true, the above will not be a sound argument, according to Jesus, because premise 1 is false.

Why? Check out the video above: John Schoenheit of biblicalunitarian.com hits the nail on the head, discussing Jesus’s relevant teachings. (See this too.) In short, God can and does authorize people to forgive sins on his behalf, including both Jesus, and disciples of Jesus. (One should relate this to the theme of Jesus as eternal high priest in Hebrews, and to the New Testament doctrine of the priesthood of believers; this is a priestly function.)

Bizarrely, many in catholic traditions agree with Jesus’s opponents’ assumption in Mark 2.

Let’s not ignore and contradict what Jesus says in a misguided attempt to defend him.