Subject: First-century source? |
Bible Note: Cheryl! Wow! I am amazed at that website. Tim is correct. It will be tough to argue with people who believe that their research (no matter how shoddy and biased) is ineffeible proof. As I read through it, I did see many, many scripture sitings that were taken WAY out of context. In battling intelectual elite-ism (which I frequently do as I work for a major midwestern university), it is important to remind people that there is evidence that can support or discredit any hypothesis. (Evidence can be given to "prove" that gravity does not extist but that doesn't mean that it is not a fact, a law of nature.) It depends on interpretation and the bias of the researcher. I would strongly encourage you to read the book _The Case for Christ_ by Lee Stroebel. It is the best systematic proof of the historicity of Jesus's life, death, burial, ressurection and ascention and the beginings of the church that I have ever seen. After reading that, you should feel better equipped to refute these arguements. You may also want to pass the book along to your friends, offering them "research from the other side of the issue." If people are genuinely searching for the truth, they will be open to all evidence, pro and con. If they are only trying to reconfirm their belief that Jesus never exitisted or that maybe he did, but was just some guy, they can continue on in their sins and have no feeling of guilt. Irrefuteible evidence of Jesus creates responsibilty. If he really is the Son of God, that changes everything. No more situational ethics-- there really is right and wrong! (This is very scary to those who are still in their sins) The thing you might say is, "how can a religion started by an unknown Jewish carpenter in 1st century Palestine, and spread not at the end of a gun or a sword but by asking its believers to make sacrifices (often of their own lives) and to love others enough to do just that, still be effecting people in this day? Ethics have changed, research has varied, opinions, fads and customs have all fluctuated but through out time, the basic tennents of the Christian Church- the virgin birth, the death, burial and resurection, salvation based on faith- have never changed. It is amazing to me (and proof of the awsome power of God) that despite man's efforts to twist, prevert, expunge and explain away the historic Christian faith, millions still come to a saving knowledge of Christ every year. The evidence is in the changes in the lives of believers! Praise God! I will be praying for you! |