The Rebbe As "God"

Harsh critics of Lubavitcher Elokism (such as Rabbi David Berger) have complained that these doctrines will make Christian arguments seem more plausible within the Jewish paradigm. Such an objection makes the argument above especially ironic. Imagine a debate between a Christian and a Lubavitcher Elokist. Both agree that the Messiah has come, and both believe he is God in the form of a man (and that he is referred to in Daniel 7). The only thing they disagree on is who this person is (Jesus vs Menachem Schneerson). I can imagine the Christian asking rhetorically: "who best fits the description of being worshipped by people from all nations and linguistic groups?"

Properly, what this refers to is a demigod, the ancient idea of man – a king or priest – taking on characteristics of God and becoming, through transmutation, an aspect of God Himself. This is how early Christians viewed Jesus, and how many current Lubavitchers view the late Rebbe.