On his CNN show this week, host Don Lemon was talking about the legacy of our founding fathers with fellow CNN host Chris Cuomo. Lemon was pointing out that our founders were imperfect and decided to get theological when he said “Jesus Christ, if that’s who you believe in, Jesus Christ, admittedly was not perfect when he was here on this earth.”
I understand that we sometimes misspeak. We sometimes get facts wrong. But misrepresenting the foundational premise of Christianity is a very significant fact to get wrong. It does make me wonder where Lemon got that idea.
The sinlessness of Jesus is a historically agreed upon truth within Christendom and something which is constantly affirmed in the New Testament. 1 Peter 2:22 says “he committed no sin.” 1 John 3:5 says “in him there is no sin.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 says “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” And we could go on and on.
I can assure you that Jesus never admitted that he “was not perfect.” It’s because Christians do believe Jesus was perfect that we worship him. If Jesus had not been perfect, then he would not have been worthy to die for our sins and redeem us. The entire gospel message depends on Jesus being perfect. The idea of a sinful Jesus is heretical.
Josh Benner 