Up@dawn 2.0

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Fact? or Fantasy? Vol. II

Image result for empty tomb
In preparation for this blog post I did an awful lot of digging. If you read my first post entitled Fact? Or Fantasy? It was a step by step look at the historical applications of the Bible, the reliability of the scriptures and if Jesus of the New Testament actually existed outside of the New Testament scriptures. This post, as I wrote, is much more weighted in its applications and context.
As I stated before, without the resurrection, the Christian faith is dead. If the resurrection is a fabrication then that would discredit Christianity. So, Jesus definitely did die on the cross that is an undisputed fact, but did he conquer death? How do we know?
The answer lies in the tomb… Was it empty? The answer is yes.
For this to be applicable to your knowledge, I need you to open your mind. I already proved the historical reliability of the scriptures. So we can begin to use some of those to form ideas, in this instance. 
“Second, the earliest Jewish arguments against Christianity admit the empty tomb. In Matthew 28:11-15, there is a reference made to the Jew's attempt to refute Christianity be saying that the disciples stole the body. This is significant because it shows that the Jews did not deny the empty tomb,” (Perman).
This has astronomical historical applications. The Jews were enemies of Jesus and his disciples, they hated them. Jesus’ claim that he was going to raise from the dead needed to be refuted. They stated that the disciples stole the body. Which we will assess later and come to the conclusion, is false. In the process of blaming the disciples for the empty tomb, they acknowledged something. The tomb was empty, this became a well known fact in Jerusalem at that time. The Pharisees and Sadducees, or religious leaders, did the worst thing they could’ve possibly have done for their case. Acknowledge that the tomb was indeed empty, when they could’ve sealed it themselves and told everyone that Jesus still lay in there. But then the Pharisees would be actively participating in something that they knew was a lie. The Pharisees certainly wouldn’t have taken the body, or else they would’ve shown people that he hadn’t risen through bodily evidence to back up their claim.
So let’s acknowledge the Pharisees claim. Could the disciples have taken the body. At first glance you would say, why yes they could’ve. Until you take a look into what the disciples actually went through. 10 of the 12 were killed in gruesome ways in the name of Jesus. No big deal right, we see cults all the time where people kill themselves based on a lie. Difference is, in those cults, they believe those lies to be truth. Had the disciples taken the body they would have known that it was a lie, and thus they would’ve have been consciously dying for a lie. Not likely. 
On top of all of this you have the accounts from the disciples that over 300 people witnessed the risen Jesus, in some way, shape, form, or fashion. I encourage you to look into the questions associated with this if you are still curious and open minded.

Ultimately, it is historical fact that the tomb of Jesus Christ, from the New Testament, was in fact empty. Jesus was raised from the dead. If you are not a person of faith, but still want knowledge, and are curious I deeply encourage you to research for yourself the historicity of the claims I have presented. If this Jesus is the son of God it has massive implications for your life. With love, and open mindedness I have presented facts for you. If you would like to continue discussion with me about any of these topics or more you can contact me at : harrisandrew057@gmail.com


I have enjoyed the challenging thoughts presented in this class. I have tested them each against my faith. Philosophers can only speculate what came before the universe, but the Bible has an answer. Has many answers for what is usually speculative. Do some digging. I encourage your curiosity. Test the scriptures as I have done. They will not let you down. Keep your minds open and your thoughts positive. Love unabashedly. Godspeed.


“Historical Evidence for the Resurrection.” Desiring God, 3 May 2018, www.desiringgod.org/articles/historical-evidence-for-the-resurrection.

The Institute for Creation Research, www.icr.org/ChristEmptyTomb/.

First Installment: 

http://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2018/04/fact-or-fantasy.html

Comments:

http://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2018/04/abigail-mcadams-part-1-pro-life-and-pro.html#comments


https://cophilosophy.blogspot.com/2018/05/why-do-we-fear.html?showComment=1525326052466#c4972398378614093563

2 comments:

  1. "Philosophers can only speculate what came before the universe, but the Bible has an answer." What besides personal makes philosophical reflection "speculation" but theological speculation "fact"? If facts require consistent reasoning supported by evidence, it's clear that most theology and some philosophy, but not I think most, is engaged in something other than fact-seeking.

    But we can all agree, I hope, that your parting advice to "love unabashedly" is sound-with or without "godspeed."

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.