Ehrman dismisses the Gospel of John because it appears that John's theology is more developed, giving suspicion for a later date. However, this is not a valid reason to dismiss John as a late manuscript. For example, Paul's Epistle to the Romans is highly developed theologically, but nevertheless it is dated around A.D. 57 [2]. Hebrews is another strong example. It too is highly developed theologically and is also dated in the first century. Both of these examples show that it was by no means impossible for the early church to be very developed theologically early on. If Paul was teaching justification by faith alone (Rom. 5), and the propitiatory death of Christ by A.D. 57 (Rom. 3:35), why is it difficult to believe that John had a highly developed theology by A.D. 95-100, nearly 38 years later at the least?
There is even more evidence suggesting the Gospel of John was written at the end of the first century as conservative scholars have suggested. This is suggested in the fact that it is quoted very early on in the second century. It was quoted twice by Ignatius (c. 107); once by Polycarp (c. 107); Papias' elders (c. 110-120); and Hierapolis' Exegesis of the Lord's Oracles (c. 120-132).
Answering Ehrman's objections to Christ's divinity, Kruger points out the inconsistency of Ehrman's claims. Kruger points out that "numerous places in the Synoptic Gospels, Christ's divinity is affirmed. For example, in Matthew 26:63-65 (cf. Mark 14:62/Luke 22:67-71) Jesus not only identifies himself as the Son of God, but then also identifies himself as the Son of Man coming to judge the world on the clouds of heaven—an identity that the chief priests regard as worthy of the charge of blasphemy. So, even if one were to discount the Gospel of John, there is sufficient evidence elsewhere for Jesus’ divine self-understanding" [3].
These aren't the only places where Jesus' divinity is affirmed. It is undoubtedly affirmed in Matthew 22:42-45, where He claimed to be the Old Testament Adonai. It is clearly affirmed when Jesus identifies Himself with God in the baptismal formula (Matt. 28:29). It is affirmed when Jesus claimed to forgive sins (Mark 2:5-7). It is affirmed when he allowed people to worship Him (Matt. 14:33; 28:9). It is affirmed when He claimed omnipotence (Matt. 28:18), that the dead would respond to His authority (Luke 7:14), and that nature would obey his words (Mark 4:39).
In conclusion, with one last point aimed at proving Christ's divinity; the Jews recognized that He claimed deity for Himself, and they responded accordingly, "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him [Jesus], because he not only had broken the Sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God" (John 5:18). The Jews understood that He was saying, "I am the Son of God". Why would they seek to kill him and crucify Him for any other reason? They accused Him of blasphemy [4]. Jesus clearly claimed divinity in His actions. He claimed to be Adonai. He claimed to forgive sins, which is something only God can do. He allowed his followers to worship Him, and He clearly identified Himself in the baptismal formula. Though some may claim that He never claimed to be God, the biblical account of Christ in the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John records ample evidence that Jesus did make this claim.
Bibliography
[1] http://michaeljkruger.com/did-jesus-claim-to-be-god-a-response-to-bart-ehrman-part-3/
[2] http://www.theopedia.com/Gospel_of_John
[3] Ibid.
[4] Theology for Today, by Elmer L. Towns
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