The phenomenon of people increasingly saying "Jesus is God" rather than the traditional "Jesus is Lord" can be attributed to a variety of influences, including theological simplification, cultural shifts, and the global impact of American evangelicalism and charismatic movements. Historically, evangelicals emphasized the biblical term "Lord" to capture Jesus' divine authority and messianic role, aligning with passages like Romans 10:9 and Philippians 2:11. However, modern evangelicalism, particularly in the U.S., has often prioritized making the message of Christianity simple and accessible, especially through the rise of megachurches, contemporary worship music, and Christian media. This shift toward simplified theological expressions has made the phrase "Jesus is God" more common, as it offers a direct, emotionally resonant way to affirm Jesus' divinity without the complexities of Trinitarian distinctions. In addition, charismatic and Pentecostal movements, with their emphasis on personal experiences of Jesus’ divine power, have popularized language that stresses Jesus’ immediate role as God in believers' lives. U.S. cultural values like individualism and personal freedom also contribute, as the phrase "Jesus is God" emphasizes a personal connection to Jesus, fitting into the broader evangelical focus on personal salvation and relationship with Christ. Christian apologetics in the U.S. has further reinforced this trend as a clear defense against secularism and pluralism, where a straightforward declaration of Jesus’ divinity is seen as an important doctrinal stance. All these factors, particularly the global reach of American evangelicalism, worship music, and media, have contributed to the growing prevalence of this simpler affirmation, which may be appealing but can sometimes risk losing the biblical and theological richness found in the traditional confession of "Jesus is Lord."
— ChatGPT, 2024
