My Intimate Thoughts

  In my next blog post series, I will address the resurrection of Jesus, using Gary Habermas's Limited Facts argument. By using certain minimal facts that all scholars grant, he builds a case for the resurrection. These facts primarily settle on the writings of the Apostle Paul Particularly 1 Corinthians 15 1-9 and the historicity of the early church. The writings of Paul will be the seven books that even those who are critical of the New Testament, believe are authentic and accurate.  However, those scholars who are critical of the New Testament must also meet certain criteria. They must hold a terminal degree (Ph.D.) in a related New Testament field, be considered an expert, and be published. One would think that there would not be many who meet such standards. However, there are hundreds of people such as Bart Ehrman, who fit that mold. It must be understood that this is a rather intense subject and my little writings don't even begin to scratch the surface of its complexi...

The lack of a universally accepted and credible alternative explanation for the rapid growth and transformation of the early church based solely on a fabricated belief is a significant element in the historical discussion surrounding the resurrection of Jesus. While some scholars offer alternative explanations, they often face challenges in adequately explaining the observed phenomena. Here are some key points to consider: Rapid Growth and Transformation: The early church experienced remarkable growth within a few decades of Jesus' death. It spread throughout the Roman Empire, attracting followers from diverse backgrounds and cultures. This growth was accompanied by a profound transformation in the lives of believers. They formed communities based on love, service, and mutual support, standing in stark contrast to the surrounding Greco-Roman society. Challenges of Alternative Explanations: Explaining this rapid growth and transformation solely through a fabricated belief in the res...

The transformative nature of the disciples' experiences after encountering the risen Jesus, I feel is a compelling argument for the authenticity of their claims. Here are some key points to consider: Radical Transformation: The Gospel accounts depict the disciples as initially fearful, confused, and even doubting after Jesus' crucifixion. They had witnessed his death and the seeming collapse of their hopes for a messianic kingdom. However, their encounter with the risen Jesus dramatically changed them. They became filled with joy, courage, and a newfound clarity about their mission. They went from hiding in fear to boldly proclaiming the resurrection message, even facing persecution and death with unwavering conviction. Willingness to Die for their Faith: This radical transformation is further evidenced by the disciples' willingness to die for their faith. Many of them, including Peter and Paul, faced brutal executions for their belief in the risen Christ. It's difficul...

The presence of multiple independent witnesses to the post-mortem appearances of Jesus as noted in 1 Corinthians 15, is a significant factor in considering their historical and scriptural credibility and reducing the likelihood of a singular fabrication. Here's why: Diversity of Witnesses: The New Testament accounts of Jesus' appearances after his death mention various individuals and groups who encountered him. These include his disciples, women like Mary Magdalene, a group of five hundred brothers, and even skeptics like James, his own brother. This diversity of witnesses suggests a broader movement of people claiming to have seen the risen Jesus, making it less plausible that the reports originated from a single, isolated source or were contrived by a small group. Independent Accounts: The Gospel accounts, while sharing core elements, also present some variations in their descriptions of the appearances. This suggests that the witnesses were not simply repeating a prefabrica...

The conversion of Paul, the persecutor, is one of the most dramatic and impactful stories in the history of Christianity. It's a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and a significant piece of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. Here's a deeper look into Paul's conversion: From Persecutor to Apostle: Before his conversion, Paul, known then as Saul, was a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted early Christians. He imprisoned believers, approved of their execution, and even hunted them down (Acts 8:3, 9:1-2). This dramatic shift from persecutor to apostle is attributed to a direct encounter with the resurrected Jesus. While traveling to Damascus to persecute Christians, Paul experienced a blinding light, heard the voice of Jesus, and received his calling as a preacher of the Gospel (Acts 9:3-6). Key Aspects of Paul's Conversion: Personal Encounter: Paul's conversion wasn't based on hearsay or secondhand information. He had his own personal...

The significance of the early dating of the core facts related to Jesus' resurrection. The proximity of these accounts to the event itself strengthens their credibility and makes them harder to dismiss as later inventions. Here are some key points to consider: Early Witness: The earliest Christian writings, such as the letters of Paul and the Gospel of Mark, are believed to have been written within 20-30 years of Jesus' death. These writings already mention the empty tomb, post-mortem appearances of Jesus, and the conversion of key figures like James and Paul. This early date makes it less likely that these accounts were invented or significantly embellished over time. It also increases the possibility that they reflect the experiences and beliefs of those who were closest to Jesus and the events of his life. Multiple Sources: The core facts about the resurrection are not just found in one isolated source. They are attested to in various independent sources, including the Gospe...

In conclusion, when using the bible as a source of historical information, particularly when it comes to the resurrection, we must view it as a collection of ancient manuscripts, not the inspired word of God.  Acknowledging further, that j udging the reliability of the New Testament manuscripts is a complex yet fascinating process.  I Take note, that it involves several key factors such as: 1. Textual Criticism: This is the specialized field that analyzes the differences between various manuscripts to reconstruct the original text. Scholars use various methods: Comparing manuscripts: They compare the thousands of existing manuscripts, identifying variations and tracing their origins through transmission history. Internal evidence: They consider the internal consistency of the text, looking for contradictions or inconsistencies that might indicate tampering. External evidence: They consult early Christian writings and translations to see how they quote or paraphrase the New Tes...

Christus Victor and Penal Substitution are the two major atonement theories within Christian orthodoxy, and we should be familiar with both views. Most likely though, the reader will be more familiar with PSA (Penal Substitutionary Atonement). However, it should be noted that CV (Christus Victor) was primarily the view held by the early church fathers. Though they offer significantly different perspectives on the meaning and purpose of Jesus' death on the cross, I feel both have valid points. For a better understanding, I think it's important we acquaint ourselves with both.  We then can be more knowledgeable on the complexity of the subject, and have a more nuanced approach to understanding them.  I believe the different Atonement theories combined, best describe the wholeness of God's nature. Here's a breakdown of their key differences: Christus Victor: Focus: This theory emphasizes Christ's triumph over evil powers (sin, death, Satan) rather than satisfying any d...