Posted by bunkster on July 01, 2005 at 05:22:06:
If the disciples made up the story, they were the most creative intelligent fantasists in history far surpassing Shakespeare, Dante or Tolkien. These guys were simple honest common peasants, not cunning conniving liars. They weren't even lawyers! ;)
Their sincerity is proved by their words and deeds. Nothing proves sincerity like martyrdom. Each took on a life altering change from fear to faith, confusion to ceritude even under the threat of persecution. That not only proves their sincerity but testifies to something more powerful. Can a lie cause such a transformation in ones personality like this?
There could be no possible motive for such a lie. Lies are always told for some selfish advantage. These guys were hated, scorned, persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, exiled, crucified, boiled alive, roasted, beheaded, disemboweled and fed to the lions. That is hardly a catalog of perks.
IF the resurrection was a lie, the jews would have produced the corspe, and nipped this feared superstitution in the bed. All they had to do was go to the tomb and get it. The arguments against such a theory can be thought about like this... How could unarmed peasants over power roman soldiers or a roll away a huge stone with out making any type of noise?
Hallucinations of christ appearing after he died to Mary and the disciples is another argument. After all hallucinations are private and individual subjective. Christ appeared to Mary Magdalene, then the disciples without Thomas, and again with Thomas. Then to two other disciples at Emmaus, to fisherman on the shore, to James his brother and even to five hundred people at once. How could all of these people see him if it were hallucinations? And if they were hallucinations they lasted for 40 days! How could that be so?
Jews are taught at their mothers knee to not believe in Jesus. To do so, they would be ostracized from the Jewish community. HOW is it then that if God can speak from a burning bush, split waters in half, cause a staff to be turned into a snake, rain down manna to feed his people, not to mention save his people from slavery, tear down the walls of Jericho, help a small man defeat a giant with just a stone... and that is just to name a few of the wonderous miracles of God. How is it that it is not possible that God could not have sent forth a man named Jesus into the world through a virgin birth to redeem his children? Why is this miracle so different than all the others? There are over 300 prophecies proclaiming a suitable candiate fitting JESUS's descr1ption. Makes one wonder.
To say that God didn't do this? Would that not mean that perhaps saying that all the other miracles that God did were a lie too? How do you know he is not capable of performing such a small task as a virgin birth? And to question God on this... Would that mean that all the Jews and Christians who have lost their lives in the name of God be unjustisfied?
It seems plausible that here is a man that carried out his crucifixion to the end. Some say he was a teacher. Some say he was insane. My case is that wouldn't an insane man recognize the pain of a nail going into his hands and feet and say "enough already!" 300 prophecies and over 500 witness.. IF the resurrection didn't occur then what is all the fuss about?
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