We looked at the arguments for the God and the Bible earlier. Here is another perspective on the Resurrection. (R of the RAMP argument.) Two included below.
One theory is that the disciples did steal the body and concocted the story of resurrection, carrying the deception to their graves. We already discussed that as pretty preposterous for two reasons. First, it is highly unlikely fact that people who knew the story was false would persist in claiming it under torture and even death.
Second the sheer number of people involved was over 500 different individuals. Just for them to not inadvertently slip sometime in the next 20 or 30 or more years is pretty unlikely. And the temptation to “spill” the whole story on their deathbed would certainly have led to some leaks.
Consider a scenario that will help to clarify the situation. Two fairly prominent ball players got kicked out of games on Saturday. For our scenario, let’s have the guys change jerseys and helmets with another player and return to the field. (We will have smoked face plates to hide their identity.) Now one of these players makes a stupendous play and his team wins the game.
How long do you think the “secret” would remain undiscovered? His teammates and coaches would know what happened. Some of the fans who know the team really well would probably recognize the player, even without seeing his face. Would the substitution be concealed for very long? We all know the answer, even if there is no life and death issue involved.
This simple analogy reveals the futility of the disciples trying to either substitute a new “messiah” or even hide the death of the old one and pretend that He is alive. The idea is too preposterous to even consider. And oh yes, this scheme was hatched in less than 72 hours by a group of terrified and cowardly survivors.
The only way our story above could survive is if the “substitute” really was as talented as the ejected player, kept his own jersey, and utilized his opportunity to show off his talents. That has happened on several occasions. A “key” player went down for some reason and his backup took over and was never replaced.
The disciples did not have a backup “Messiah,” so their story had to be reality. The miracle working Messiah really did come to life and walk among them for 40 days. They were so instilled with courage and passion that they willingly went to their deaths proclaiming the story.
It is too outlandish and has too many participants to be other than true. He is alive.
No comments:
Post a Comment