Scripture is clear about them being the same essence, and not just one in purpose, attitude (spirit) etc.
If scripture was clear on this, there would be no debate.
And Thomas answered and said unto him, Ho Kurios mou kai ho Theos mou" - the Lord of me and the God of me - John 20:28. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed.
What had Thomas believed? Was he blaspheming? Obviously not, Jesus didn't rebuke him, but implied he was blessed for believing, and others would be more blessed if they believed even though they had not seen.
Thomas believed that Christ had been resurrected... which is what the entire scene was about; this is what he had doubted. That is the context.
The rest, I used to wonder about. Until one day, I said the same myself. "My God".... I said it to Christ... but my I was seeing God through Christ. I was not referring to Christ, Himself. It came out so naturally, and I immediately remembered Thomas' "My Lord and my God."
The same applies when Jesus told a man to go and tell everyone what God had done for him (after Christ had healed him). He was giving credit to His Father, working through Him. He was not telling the man to go tell everyone what HE had done for him, but what His Father had done for him.
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.... and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10,11 compared with Isaiah 45:22,23:-
Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow and every tongue shall swear.
All titles and authority granted to the Son.
Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, God. Matthew 19:17 (Meaning, if I am not God then I am not good either, but if I am good, then I am God also. It isn't appropriate to call me merely "good master": men are not good, including you yourself.) Compare this with John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd."!!!
It sounds as though he is also not calling himself good in this instance; rather than calling himself God... otherwise where was the outrage? Calling himself the good shepherd later doesnt' mean what you imply here, he has also referred to people being willing to die for 'good' men; but not for righteous ones. He isn't calling 'good' men, God, though.
Peace,
tammy