I'll give you this: of the many attempts that people try to use to infuse Christ or the Trinity into the OT, the idea that Jesus is the light in Genesis actually has some merit. However, you don't follow through with this observation in your theology. You recognize that he is the light, but then deny that there was a time before the light - that God called the light into existence, and that the light in question was distinct from God himself, as we see in Genesis.
1. According to Revelation 21:23 Jesus is the Lamb and is the lamp that shines the light of the God. So, it is not reasonable for us to assume that Jesus shown any other light than the Light of God. Therefore, we must conclude that the idea that Jesus shown His own Light (separate from God) can't be accurate. No, Jesus must have shown the Light of the most high God in the world.
2. Since we are discussing the writings of John specifically here. We must look at things from the perspective of John himself. Now, John calls Jesus the Light in the world in John 1:4-9. Here we see that John thinks of Jesus as being the true Light that is shining in the world. So, since John is speaking of the same exact subject in his first epistle chapter 1. --That is the advent of Christ into the world.-- We finding it extremely telling that here he describes the Father as the Light this time. We must deduce that in John's mind these are inseparably connected.
3. All these themes are clearly and invariably connected in the book of John and 1st epistle of John. That is how Jesus is described as the "Word of Life" (1 John 1:1) and "in Him was the life and the life was the Light of men". (John 1:4)
For example let's just compare John 1:1-2 with 1st John 1:1-2.
John 1:1-2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
1st John 1:1-2
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us
Here we can clearly see that the Word spoken of in John 1 is the "Word of Life" or said differently it is the "eternal life" that was with the Father and was finally manifested into the world.
So why is Jesus called the "Word" and the "eternal life"? Simple. IT is because He is the resurrection from the dead into eternal life. You see, this is the promise that was promised from Genesis 1:3 onward. That the darkness would be overcome by the Light of eternal life when He would rise from the dead. Thus giving us light where once we all were under the "shadow of death" which is the "great darkness" that covers all peoples. (Isaiah 60:2) However, God promised that He would arise upon the peoples just as the Light shown in the beginning upon the face of the deep. This He did when Jesus rose from the dead and manifested to everyone who believed that the eternal life which was with the Father was finally come into the world.
For the Word of Life was silent so long as Jesus lived. But when He died then just as His body was broken; so the silence was broken when He rose from the dead. Because first the Spirit of God hovered over the waters in silence and then God spoke. For the Light of life had overcome the grave.
So in conclusion it is apparent that Jesus is indeed described as the Light and that He could not have shown any other Light in the world than the Light of God which is the Light of eternal Life which God gives to the world through Him. And all who see and believe in Him see and believe in the Father.
Unbiblical speculation. Nothing in scripture asserts that it is merely the human aspect of Christ that is subordinate. You add to the scripture by saying such things, and deny the Lord's own words.
You further contradict Christ when he plainly says "it is not I, but the Father" - further clarifying (if there were any doubt) that he is not the Father, but the Son. Indeed, he never says he is God, but always the Son of God. He is always depicted as being on the right hand of God.
Unless you put forth a very strong and reasonable argument that addresses the plethora of scripture that so clearly distinguishes Jesus from the Father, your theology cannot be seriously entertained.
As for
Isaiah 9:6, this whole thing: "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace." is a single name. It is a common practice, particularly in the OT, to embed the term "God", "Yahweh", etc. into the names of men. So this verse by itself carries little weight. See
Theophory in the Bible - Wikipedia
Additionally, the very translation of this verse (not just the interpretation) is contestable. For example, this is how it is translated in the Orthodox Jewish Bible:
(5) For unto us a yeled is born, unto us ben is given; and the misrah (dominion) shall be upon his shoulder; and Shmo shall be called Peleh (Wonderful), Yoetz (Counsellor), El Gibbor (Mighty G-d), Avi Ad (Possessor of Eternity), Sar Shalom (Prince of Peace).
As for
Hebrews 13:8, that verse merely communicates his consistency, not the idea that he is without beginning. You are reading what you want into the verse.
Just do a quick search on Biblegateway.com or (your choice of Bible sites) of the term "Son of man" in the 4 gospels. You will see how many times Jesus refers to Himself by this phrase. And to be clear, the term is inherently human in every way. For it is literally the Son of a man or a human being. In this case the Son of Adam. So, Jesus constantly referred to Himself as a human being.
So it is not at all a great leap to assume He was speaking of Himself in the human sense.
Agreed, you haven't fallen back on the mystery defense - which I commend you for. I believe in Jesus' words: seek and you shall find, knock and it will open.
You say well to believe in Jesus words and to trust that He will show you is the beginning of wisdom. Because it is self confident fools who think they can figure these things out by themselves. So, whatever you do pray and seek for the truth; for God is more than able to give it.
Which doesn't really address my point in bringing up such verses. Namely: the clear distinction being made between Jesus and God. It is abundantly clear that when Paul says something like "Jesus is at the right hand of God" that Paul does not view Jesus as being God himself.
The term "right hand" is used as a position of authority and great power. In some scriptures it is even written out as "the right hand of the power of God" or "the right hand of power" for short.
And what this position is; is a position of possessing all power in heaven and earth. This is the power that Jesus wields in glorified human form. This is so that He can subdue all the enemies of mankind through it. This is why God promised this power to a human being: the Messiah. He knew that the Messiah must have all power in heaven and earth in order to defeat the enemies that would be against mankind. So, all things that Jesus did; He did for our sake. Because He is the Savior. So, Jesus did not need to obtain all power for Himself. But He did it for us. Jesus sits on the right hand not for Himself but for our sake. Beacue we were without power in the face of our enemy which is death. But Jesus came as the resurrection and eternal life that overcomes the grave to give us power over all our enemies. Because since He dies once and lives again He is free from all and if we receive Him; then He receives us into His body. We are then free with Him from our enemies. And since we are members of His very body then we have access to all power in heaven and earth to overcome every thing that would rise against us. So long as we trust in Him.
This is why the scripture says that the Almighty took "great power" to Himself and reigned. (Revelation 11:17) The Almighty already should have all power. So how then can you explain the Almighty needing to take power to Himself? It is very simple. He did so in human incarnation (Matthew 28:18) so that we could be saved through the power that He receives while in our likeness. Because the power has to be given to a human being in order for humans to overcome the enemies that are arrayed against us. (1 Corinthians 15:25, Psalm 8:6)
And when He is finished He will deliver us all up to the Father (those who are saved) and they will be spotless like He is because they are washed in His blood.
Revelation 5:9
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
