Critical Bible Scholar Says John Isn’t Real… But YOU Can Become Divine

Some say deification isn’t in the Bible… But what happens when a critical scholar—someone who questions John entirely—still concludes that it is? This isn’t coming from someone defending Latter-day Saint theology. It’s the opposite. Dr. Hugo Mendez approaches the Gospel of John from a critical, academic perspective… and still ends up describing something most of Christianity rejects: 👉 That believers are meant to participate in divinity 👉 That the Gospel points to transformation—not just forgiveness 👉 That the end goal looks a lot more like becoming “like God” than we’re comfortable admitting Christians reject his claims about authorship… …but still accept the book. At the same time, they accept the book… …but reject what it actually teaches. 🎯 In this video: • Why John reads differently when you take it seriously • The growing academic recognition of deification (theosis) • Why this idea was embraced early… then minimized • The contradiction of accepting scripture while rejecting its implications • And how this unexpectedly strengthens the Restoration perspective 📖 Scriptures discussed: John 1, 10, 17 Romans 8 — joint-heirs with Christ 2 Peter 1:4 — partakers of the divine nature 1 John 3:2 — we shall be like Him Matthew 13:43 — shine forth as the sun Daniel 12:3 💬 I’m genuinely curious: If a scholar you disagree with still sees deification in the text… 👉 is the problem the scholar— or our assumptions about the text? 📺 LINKS Source Video https://youtu.be/ejf07CjGGV4?si=CrCb8rArdY8cM4AW Go deeper (articles + visuals): 👉 https://halestorm.substack.com/ 🎯 SUPPORT THE CHANNEL 👉 https://venmo.com/ohhaleyeah 🎧 AUDIO VERSION Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wmtsNQCl0ToLeSkt6j4hs Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/halestorm/id1438201012 📌 NOTES I don’t use social media—if you think someone would enjoy this, feel free to share it directly. All footage is used under fair use (DMCA 1998) for commentary, criticism, and education.