Jesus Christ.
He is probably the most well-known name in the history of anyone who ever walked the face of the earth.
With someone who has had such a profound effect on so many people in the world, it can lead a person to ask how he had such a profound effect on so many.
Of all the things that have been written that are so astounding about Jesus there is, surprisingly, also another side of the equation. There are many people who deny he was the Son Of God.
While people are entitled to their own opinion is there a way to really know the facts? After all, eternal life depends on it.
Since these blog posts look at things from different perspectives than usual the angle of this post is a little unusual.
If you don't know that Jesus Was the Son Of God because you did not see him firsthand, how do you know ANY other event in history happened long ago? Perhaps a question can shed light.
So here it is:
How do you know the Civil War actually happened if you weren't there (or born yet)?
Since both Jesus presence on earth and the United States Civil War happened long before anyone alive could verify them, what makes you believe either one happened? What if you are being lied to when told about history events? Modern society is cynical and people are instructed not to believe everything they are told, anyhow.
From the perspective of the author there are some ways to measure the validity of things you can't experience with your senses, even if the ways are not foolproof.
Completing the sentence, "I think the Civil Ware happened because_______________" might also be useful in stating why you believed Jesus lived. There are some ways the author would finish the sentence.
I think the Civil War happened because:
1. The large number of people who have said it did.
2. It fits into the overall history of the time.
3. Monuments were put up to recognize the event, if if there are not actual physical remnants.
4. The customs of the event fit into the culture.
5. The idea that it did not happen, while possible, is not probable.
6. There were not well-known contradictory stories heard in the mainstream.
7. All things considered, it is reasonable to believe.
This list is definitely not exhaustive, as nothing involving a mystery is exhaustive. The belief in something that happened long ago comes down to an important principle. That principle is,
It comes down to taking somebody else's word for something WITH an educated guess.
If you apply these 7 criteria to the life of Jesus what would you find? How would you finish this sentence? I believe Jesus Christ was Resurrected because:
1. The large number of people who have said it did.
2. It fits into the overall history of the time.(Yes)
3. Monuments were put up to recognize the event, if if there are not actual physical remnants. (Yes)
4. The customs of the event fit into the culture. (Yes)
5. The idea that it did not happen, while possible, is not probable.
6. There were not well-known contradictory stories heard in the mainstream.
7. All things considered, it is reasonable to believe. (Yes)
(These responses are, of course, the opinion of the author).
There are a few statements above that do not have "Yes" after them. These are open for discussion and have varying answers. For example, there are many people throughout history that think the Resurrection was a hoax or that there were other "Messiahs". (By the Hebrew definition of Messiah there were others, including King David.)
What Does This Prove?
This post is merely showing that one can reasonably think something happened in ancient history without actually being there to experience with the senses. (If you factored in the thousands of witnesses of the Resurrection of Jesus it would be even MORE likely).
Yes, a person could go by the word of descendants of those in the Civil War or by Apostolic Succession in the Orthodox Church, but going by faith is has more of an impact.
Was Jesus The Son Of God?
It is interesting to note that even those who do not think Jesus was the Son Of God still think he lived and walked on the earth as a respected Prophet.
An interesting perspective of this belief can be found in the book The Case For Christ, by Lee Strobel. He asserts that if people believe that Jesus was a respected Prophet and not the Son Of God,he would be a liar and, thus, not respected. If he was not the Son Of God as he purported to be his credibility would be at stake. If you are lying about being the Son Of God how could you believe what else he had to say?
This post is also showing that there is more to human life than is experienced by the senses at the present moment. If it were based merely on sensual experience no one alive today could proclaim Jesus was the Son Of God. That is where belief and faith come in.
Even if you were taught Jesus is the Son Of God it is still worth examining for yourself and weighing the options. As they said during the Cold War, "Trust, but verify."
The same logic used to ask of the Civil War happened could be used to determine if Jesus was alive and Resurrected.
If one verifies the likelihood of the Resurrection of Jesus one would likely concur that it is what you were taught, if you are a Christian.
Glory to Jesus Christ.
You might also be interested in:
What Bible Contradictions?
Views of The Existence Of Jesus
Author: Albert Wagner
