Post by moatesoates on Apr 2, 2010 11:15:03 GMT -5
One of the greatest proofs of the existence of the Supernatural is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many dismiss this great feat as myth, or scientifically explainable. However, I will present evidence to the contrary of these two beliefs. Hopefully, through this you will see why I believe what I believe, and that it is not just a blind faith.
First, let me deal with the reality of the death of Jesus. Some have proposed that Jesus just swooned on the cross. They believe that he just passed out, and came out of his coma like state in the tomb. Here is the evidence to the contrary.
1) The Roman flogging of Jesus – One of the few things that the movie The Passion of the Christ was accurate on was the brutality of a Roman flogging. All four of the gospels mention that Jesus was flogged to try to appease the Jewish leaders. Jesus would have been barely recognizable after this beating. He was actually beaten so badly, that they had to find someone in the crowd (Simon the Cyrene) to carry his cross for him.
2) Roman ability to recognize death – I find it interesting that scholars today actually call into question the Roman ability to recognize death. This is one of the most brutal cultures that have ever existed. The Roman soldier was accustomed to witnessing crucifixions; therefore I take their word for it: “When they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs since they saw that He was already dead. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (John 19:33,34)” Blood and water was evidence of death by suffocation.
Consider, after being beaten, hung on a cross, stabbed in the lung, and placed in a tomb for three days; if he had only passed out, would he have recovered to the point of moving a heavy stone, and overpowering two Roman guards? If you believe that, I’ve got some ocean front property in Arizona that you can buy.
Second, was the resurrection just a myth? Did the disciples just make this up? Did they steal the body? In law enforcement we are taught to read between the lines. Let’s read between the lines for a second.
1) Fear to boldness - After the death of Jesus, the disciples were huddled together praying and mourning. They were also fearful of the Roman government. Notice that they weren’t present at the burial of Jesus. They were terribly afraid of what would happen to them. However, after the resurrection, we see a new boldness in the disciples. All of which, but one, went to their deaths proclaiming the truth of the resurrection. Something or someone changed them. This is none other than the resurrected Christ.
2) No body was ever found – Given the sensitive nature of the political climate at the time, Rome and the Jewish leaders would have spared no expense in producing a body to prove that Jesus was still dead. The disciples, as exemplified by their fear, would not have taken the body, so who would have benefitted from taking it? The resurrection was a political nightmare for Pontius Pilate. However, there is not one shred of historical evidence to show that a body was produced. In fact, historical documents actually support the resurrection. I will show those later.
3) The disciples had nothing to gain from promoting a myth. Death was the only thing that awaited them for doing so.
4) His resurrection was witnessed by over 500 people. None of these people raised an objection.
Here are two non-Christian historical sources on the resurrection of Jesus:
Tacitus on Jesus and Christians – Book 15 of the Annals (written c. 116)
(Speaking of the burning of Rome)
Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.
Notice that this is not a friendly view of Christianity. However, if we read between the lines we can discover numerous things about the resurrection.
1) It correctly places Christ in the proper time line.
2) The “superstition” that was checked “for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea” – Evidence of Christ’s death, but notice that the “superstition” broke out again in Judaea. This shows evidence of the resurrection. Also note that it broke out in the same area of Jesus’ death. If I wanted to perpetuate a lie, I would go far away from those that could prove that it was a lie.
3) People were willing to go through torturous deaths because of their belief in the resurrection.
Josephus - Testimonium Flavianum
(Self-explanitory)
Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] [[Christ]]. And when [[Pontius Pilate|Pilate]], at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the [[Crucifixion|cross]], those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.}}
In conclusion, this small essay only scratches the surface of evidence of Christ and his resurrection. My faith, and the faith of many Christians is not a blind faith. It is built upon strong evidence that still screams the truth to this day. My desire for writing this, is that no one would just casually blow Jesus off as just a myth. He is a historical figure that we should acknowledge and ponder. We should ponder, because if Jesus’ claims are true, then they have eternal significance.
First, let me deal with the reality of the death of Jesus. Some have proposed that Jesus just swooned on the cross. They believe that he just passed out, and came out of his coma like state in the tomb. Here is the evidence to the contrary.
1) The Roman flogging of Jesus – One of the few things that the movie The Passion of the Christ was accurate on was the brutality of a Roman flogging. All four of the gospels mention that Jesus was flogged to try to appease the Jewish leaders. Jesus would have been barely recognizable after this beating. He was actually beaten so badly, that they had to find someone in the crowd (Simon the Cyrene) to carry his cross for him.
2) Roman ability to recognize death – I find it interesting that scholars today actually call into question the Roman ability to recognize death. This is one of the most brutal cultures that have ever existed. The Roman soldier was accustomed to witnessing crucifixions; therefore I take their word for it: “When they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs since they saw that He was already dead. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. (John 19:33,34)” Blood and water was evidence of death by suffocation.
Consider, after being beaten, hung on a cross, stabbed in the lung, and placed in a tomb for three days; if he had only passed out, would he have recovered to the point of moving a heavy stone, and overpowering two Roman guards? If you believe that, I’ve got some ocean front property in Arizona that you can buy.
Second, was the resurrection just a myth? Did the disciples just make this up? Did they steal the body? In law enforcement we are taught to read between the lines. Let’s read between the lines for a second.
1) Fear to boldness - After the death of Jesus, the disciples were huddled together praying and mourning. They were also fearful of the Roman government. Notice that they weren’t present at the burial of Jesus. They were terribly afraid of what would happen to them. However, after the resurrection, we see a new boldness in the disciples. All of which, but one, went to their deaths proclaiming the truth of the resurrection. Something or someone changed them. This is none other than the resurrected Christ.
2) No body was ever found – Given the sensitive nature of the political climate at the time, Rome and the Jewish leaders would have spared no expense in producing a body to prove that Jesus was still dead. The disciples, as exemplified by their fear, would not have taken the body, so who would have benefitted from taking it? The resurrection was a political nightmare for Pontius Pilate. However, there is not one shred of historical evidence to show that a body was produced. In fact, historical documents actually support the resurrection. I will show those later.
3) The disciples had nothing to gain from promoting a myth. Death was the only thing that awaited them for doing so.
4) His resurrection was witnessed by over 500 people. None of these people raised an objection.
Here are two non-Christian historical sources on the resurrection of Jesus:
Tacitus on Jesus and Christians – Book 15 of the Annals (written c. 116)
(Speaking of the burning of Rome)
Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.
Notice that this is not a friendly view of Christianity. However, if we read between the lines we can discover numerous things about the resurrection.
1) It correctly places Christ in the proper time line.
2) The “superstition” that was checked “for the moment, again broke out not only in Judaea” – Evidence of Christ’s death, but notice that the “superstition” broke out again in Judaea. This shows evidence of the resurrection. Also note that it broke out in the same area of Jesus’ death. If I wanted to perpetuate a lie, I would go far away from those that could prove that it was a lie.
3) People were willing to go through torturous deaths because of their belief in the resurrection.
Josephus - Testimonium Flavianum
(Self-explanitory)
Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man; for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] [[Christ]]. And when [[Pontius Pilate|Pilate]], at the suggestion of the principal men amongst us, had condemned him to the [[Crucifixion|cross]], those that loved him at the first did not forsake him; for he appeared to them alive again the third day; as the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him. And the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day.}}
In conclusion, this small essay only scratches the surface of evidence of Christ and his resurrection. My faith, and the faith of many Christians is not a blind faith. It is built upon strong evidence that still screams the truth to this day. My desire for writing this, is that no one would just casually blow Jesus off as just a myth. He is a historical figure that we should acknowledge and ponder. We should ponder, because if Jesus’ claims are true, then they have eternal significance.