“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”
posted at 11:09 am on March 23, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Luke 24:
1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” 8 Then they remembered his words.
This is the central tenet of our faith: that our Lord sacrificed himself so that all sins of mankind would be forgiven eternally. We celebrate that sacrifice and his Resurrection today — the day that death was conquered and an unbroken covenant with the Lord was established.
May all have a happy Easter today, in faith and in love.
Addendum: For those who want to add works to faith, the First Mate suggests the charity Feed My Starving Children. They work to get food to those in desperate need around the world, and she occasionally does volunteer work for this fine organization.
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FMSC is a family favorite in the Logical Household Cap….the Junior Logician went as a class field trip a couple of years ago and we have gone back at least once a year since.
LL
Lady Logician on March 23, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 5:37 PM
A joyous Easter to everyone from sunny and breezy Washington, DC!
Lockstein13 on March 23, 2008 at 5:43 PM
In saying this, I don’t mean to denigrate Crossan. He is certainly recognized as an important scholar. But his views are considered unfounded and radical.
So, again, I can’t think of a single other scholar who agrees with his account of Jesus’ death — that his body was thrown into a common graveyard and eaten by dogs. Indeed, that Jesus’ body was interred by Joseph of Arimathea in a solid rock tomb is considered well established by the consensus of scholarship. As for his claims for the Gospel of Peter, they form the basis for his historical reconstruction. If he’s wrong about it, the rest of his views don’t have much to stand on. Another leg is his account of the alleged Secret Gospel of Mark. He’s not the only scholar to posit such a text or to say that it predates the four canonical Gospels, but it’s still an extreme minority view.
JS on March 23, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!
Say, Scribbler, can I copy your earliest post and send that to my family and friends? I will give you the credit, what you so richly deserve, for the piece. Thanks.
cjs1943 on March 23, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Happy Easter.
coleporter on March 23, 2008 at 5:54 PM
Actually Secret Mark is growing in popularity. I do not agree with his conclusion, but his analysis of the Passion Narrative is excellent.
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Thank you, Ed, for this joyful post.
And Happy Easter everyone.
inviolet on March 23, 2008 at 6:07 PM
Happy Easter, Cap’n and the HA gang! :-)
spmat on March 23, 2008 at 6:08 PM
As Julian Huxley, the leading evolutionist of his day, admitted, the idea of a holy God interfering with one’s sinful desires can be a great deterrent to faith. Jesus said, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another?” So I ask you, “Squid Shark”, is it love of sin, or is it pride, that causes you to reject the Lord Jesus?
Don’t blame a lack of evidence.
jgapinoy on March 23, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Good idea, Ed. My favorite charity is Child’s Wish.
jgapinoy on March 23, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Blessings to all of you on this celebration of the pivotal event all history hangs on! Jesus has risen! Thanks for this thread!
rightwingpastor on March 23, 2008 at 6:18 PM
Well, fair enough. I have my scholars that speak to me too (like Craig), so I can’t say anything against it. I would just invite you (I hope this doesn’t sound condescending) to reconsider whether Jesus really might have risen from the dead. I was trying to refute Christianity when I started getting into historical Jesus studies, and I ended up believing it really happened.
JS on March 23, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Yes, there is a long list of skeptics throughout the ages who have tried to refute Christianity (for the reasons I gave in my previous post), but who ended up believing.
jgapinoy on March 23, 2008 at 6:29 PM
It is love of G-d and a rejection of what I see as a false Messiah (yes, based on the evidence). Christians always use the same strawman in this debate, always on the assumption that I am an atheist of some sort.
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Ive been playing this game for a long time, there is alot of material out there. I keep my mind open to almost anything.
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Refuting Christianity…you are not alone in your quest to refute and then finding Christ. I remember the author Lee Strobels who wrote “The Case for Christ” doing the exact same thing.
It’s nice coming to a *regular* internet site and find a post recognizing the true meaning of Easter. Thank you so much.
jatfla on March 23, 2008 at 6:32 PM
I do not try for any of those reasons. But whatever helps you sleep better at night.
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Though I didn’t say you’re an atheist, anyone who rejects the One True God who revealed himself through Jesus Christ might as well be an atheist as far as the Judgment is concerned. After all Jesus did for you–leaving the glory of Heaven, suffering & dying on the cross, & conquering death & Hell–you can trust him with your remaining days to live as he guides you & provides for you.
jgapinoy on March 23, 2008 at 6:38 PM
I agree he did teach suffer and die. He came from heaven, like every other soul.
Sigh…
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 6:40 PM
I find Lee Strobels work to be convincing for a certain audience but severely lacking in thoroughness.
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 6:45 PM
As many of you know, I’m not a believer, and am often the first to push back at what I feel is an overdeveloped sense of righteousness on the part of my Christian fellow conservatives.
Well, today is not the day for that. Happy Easter and good tidings of triumph over darkness to my Christian friends on this important day.
peski on March 23, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Sigh…
We’ll agree to disagree. But that doesn’t help me “sleep better at night”.
jgapinoy on March 23, 2008 at 6:47 PM
“Say, Scribbler, can I copy your earliest post and send that to my family and friends? I will give you the credit, what you so richly deserve, for the piece. Thanks.
cjs1943″
But of course, and thanks for asking! I’ve attempted a few times now to reply, but for some reason have not been able to succeed in posting my message– so if three or four similar posts appear out of the blue, just do chalk it up to a clog in the system, doubtless the result of my own ignorance!
Scribbler on March 23, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Indeed I agree, I didnt want this to turn into what it did.
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 6:49 PM
And this is good :)
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 6:50 PM
I apologize in behalf of any Christian who might have projected self-righteousness to you.
Christians ought to be proud of Jesus, not ourselves. I was a dirty, lowdown sinner when he saved me, & in a sense I’m not that much more moral than I was then.
Thank God for his patience.
jgapinoy on March 23, 2008 at 6:50 PM
I understand you Evangelism, it is a part of you faith.
I think sometimes that comes across as self-righteousness.
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Would you consider another? Assessing the New Testament Evidence for the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus by Craig, and the references it points to, gives a striking argument, based on what is acknowledged by the consensus of scholarship. It actually is derived from his (second) doctoral dissertation, written under Pannenberg.
JS on March 23, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Ill give it a shot, I think I might have it in my “going to get to it after law school” pile
Squid Shark on March 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM
That was very nice, peski. Very nice indeed.
Weight of Glory on March 23, 2008 at 7:03 PM
anybody else notice google doesn’t even have an easter egg on their home page?
kickstar1 on March 23, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Happy Resurrection Sunday!!! Thanx Ed for the post and commentators for many wonderful comments.
I chose my name Ordinary1 because I am like you. “There is no one righteous, not one.” but Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
I am not worthy, but God thought I was worth it!
And finally Romans 10:9 “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;”
I’m just an Ordinary1 with an extra ordinary Dad!
Ordinary1 on March 23, 2008 at 7:25 PM
A blessed Resurrection Day to all!
Sanjoboy on March 23, 2008 at 7:47 PM
‘He takes men out of time and makes them feel eternity’
-R W Emerson
Happy Easter!
bridgetown on March 23, 2008 at 7:50 PM
A very Blessed Easter to all…….
Seven Percent Solution on March 23, 2008 at 7:53 PM
The Lord is risen indeed; Alleluiah!
G. Charles on March 23, 2008 at 8:14 PM
Happy Easter to all Americans,and my Hot Air friends
from up north.
The History channel today has Lost Worlds:
Jesus of Nazereth,using new computerization
they show what Jerusalem would of looked like
at the time of Jesus.If you missed it,it’ll
be on You Tube!Everyone have a great day!
canopfor on March 23, 2008 at 8:44 PM
Excellent Ed. Thank You very much for the post and a beautiful pic too. “If Christ has not been risen our faith is useless.”
auspatriotman on March 23, 2008 at 9:15 PM
Amen. Thanks Ed.
labrat on March 23, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Happy easter everyone
William Amos on March 23, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Happy Easter, everyone. It’s very easy in this technological world to forget that there even is a God, let alone that He gave his life to save us. It’s nearly beyond the modern mind to even comprehend, let alone believe.
Believe.
Bob's Kid on March 23, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Thank you for the beautiful picture on this beautiful day
It reminds me of another moment in time when John the Baptist declared of Jesus:
Behold the Lamb of God He takes away the sin of the world
Gloria in Excelsis Deo
entagor on March 23, 2008 at 10:02 PM
I question the timing.
TheSitRep on March 23, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Happy Easter from New Hampshire where there is still two feet of snow in my area. The Lord giveth and taketh away. I am hoping for the latter very soon.
jeanie on March 23, 2008 at 10:04 PM
“Through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come.
T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far and Grace will lead us home.”
JonRoss on March 23, 2008 at 10:17 PM
The self-righteousness is unfortunate.
We Christians need to continually remind ourselves that our Biblical task is only to show our fellow, starving spiritual beggars where we ourselves found Life-Giving, Eternal bread.
John 6:48
ColtsFan on March 23, 2008 at 10:25 PM
Happy Easter, all!
unclesmrgol on March 23, 2008 at 10:28 PM
May the God that turned my mourning to dancing and lifted my sorrows bless you all on this day and always.
TheUnrepentantGeek on March 23, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Thank you Ed! Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Squid shark I see you still haven’t come around yet…I’m praying for you.
Remember… there’s almost 400 prophecies in your Bible that prove Jesus Christ is the Messiah.
Thank God it is true….there is no salvation without Jesus.
No man has kept God’s Law. Without Jesus Christ we would all suffer in hell for eternity…even you Squid Shark.
SaintOlaf on March 23, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Not every Christian believes that. The way I read the Scripture, the only ones who will suffer forever are the Beast, the False Prophet, & the Devil.
What we certainly can agree on is that the entire Bible teaches that those without Jesus will be punished as much as they deserve.
How long is that? I think only God knows.
jgapinoy on March 23, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Happy Easter to everybody at HotAir.
Dave R. on March 23, 2008 at 11:58 PM
That debate was moderated by William F. Buckley, Jr., and I transcribed an interview with Buckley that took place immediately afterward here.
JS on March 23, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Hi JS……….I have been trying the link you provided with no success and tried searching for another site that might have the debate also without any luck……….do you know of another source for the video version of the debate? Thanks, Sharon
NewJerseyGirl on March 24, 2008 at 12:03 AM
HAPPY EASTER!
Feliz Pascua!
et al.
God is not Dead.
He is RISEN!
Hmmmm… Hey Ed where did you get that Picture of Christ and Mary near the tomb? It IS a nice one!
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on March 24, 2008 at 12:14 AM
Kristos Anesti! Christ has Risen!
Happy Easter, all.
greekinfidel on March 24, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Revelation 20 says:
As you say, Christians disagree as to the exact nature of hell but I personally believe that it is largely wishful thinking on our part to say that there won’t be billions of human souls cast into eternal hell. The good news of Easter is that we can choose NOT to go to hell if we don’t want to.
Mojave Mark on March 24, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Well, technically, they should have darker skin, & I really don’t think Jesus had red hair!
jgapinoy on March 24, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Captain,
Check out the crap at slate about how the crucifiction is like the “torture” at Abu gharib. Unbelievable!
Dirthead on March 24, 2008 at 12:26 AM
Have you ever seen real Israeli people? like for real?
I think you’d be surprised… I really do.
Look and see
More
Again
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on March 24, 2008 at 12:33 AM
er….. you ever been to Israel?
have you ever seen REAL Israelis?
I think you’d be surprised.
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on March 24, 2008 at 12:35 AM
I think commoners in ancient Palestine were naturally darker. Most of today’s Israelis are descended from European, Russian, & American Jewish migrants.
jgapinoy on March 24, 2008 at 12:44 AM
You can write tips@hotair.com for story leads.
jgapinoy on March 24, 2008 at 12:47 AM
Well thats weird, last time I checked Jews like me were allowed to be members of hot air.
RightisRight on March 24, 2008 at 12:49 AM
*sigh*
labrat on March 24, 2008 at 12:59 AM
A True Act of Kindness - Sweet Animation
Chakra Hammer on March 24, 2008 at 1:05 AM
“Our” is plural. Plural means “two or more.” I think there’s two or more Christians reading this site, and I’m pretty sure Ed considers himself one of them.
I think the “grammar police” have nothing to complain about. The “thought police”, on the other hand….
theregoestheneighborhood on March 24, 2008 at 1:07 AM
Matt. 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
RightisRight, my Saviour was a Jew as well.
You are among friends.
labrat on March 24, 2008 at 1:12 AM
I think Jesus is telling you right in His word brother.
Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Try also Revelation 14:10-11
maynila on March 24, 2008 at 1:15 AM
I like this one..
Bananas - Funny Animation
Chakra Hammer on March 24, 2008 at 1:17 AM
Not Forgotten
Chakra Hammer on March 24, 2008 at 1:23 AM
When we see people get offended by Jesus’ claims, I could not help but be amazed at how much apologizing Christians do, not only in this thread, but everywhere. Now, I can see where people are coming from; but friends, Jesus nor any of the early Christians ever apologized for what they believe. The cross of Christ will always be stumbling block to the Jews, and foolishness to the Gentiles.
This resurrection day, I humbly submit to you that Jesus is the Christ, the only Reedemer, Creator and Friend in which, if you trust in Him, not having your own righteousness, He will grant you eternal life.
maynila on March 24, 2008 at 1:35 AM
Well, at least you made me laugh with your nonsense.
Shy Guy on March 24, 2008 at 3:30 AM
Oops. You forgot Morrocans, Yemenites, Tunisians, Algerians, Syrians, Iraqis, Iranians, Egyptians, etc., and in recent decades Ethiopians.
You don’t know us very well.
Shy Guy on March 24, 2008 at 3:35 AM
Go ahead. Post just one.
And the funniest thing is that the whole concept of Christianity always was and will be pagan and forbidden by the Torah. The Prophets never preached against the Torah and nowhere throughout Biblical Jewish historical records do we find that any Jewish scholar, community, school of thought or academy ever mentioned anything the likes of the primative beliefs you promote.
Apparently you CAN just make things up.
Shy Guy on March 24, 2008 at 3:53 AM
Rather than turn this into a debate, I’d like to mention to anyone who sincerely wants to hear answers to agnostic/atheist objections, an excellent introduction into the reasons for faith: Timothy Keller’s “The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism”. It is only an introduction, but very well done. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525950494/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
G. Charles on March 24, 2008 at 4:22 AM
Rather belated though it may be, I’d like to extend my very happy wishes to one and all here at Hot Air (even you, Allah ^_~) that your Easter was a good one. Jesus is risen indeed.
Jockolantern on March 24, 2008 at 6:58 AM
Mojave Mark:
I always hear this from Christians - that we are sending ourselves to hell by not believing in things like the resurrection of Jesus. I am sorry, but this is only valid reasoning if I was willfully rejecting an obvious truth, which I am not.
I cannot choose to believe in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead any more than you can choose to believe that Dionysos was the son of Zeus. I cannot just choose to believe these Biblical stories, which are otherwise indistinguishable from other ancient legends, as literal truth.
HeIsSailing on March 24, 2008 at 7:28 AM
AMEN, Brother Cap’n Ed
jimbo2008 on March 24, 2008 at 7:50 AM
I’m a little late to the game, but let me add my feelings that although I constantly fall down, He constantly helps me back up again…little resurrections every day for all of us He made possible. As I put plastic eggs on my little brother’s grave yesterday, I was so thankful that Jesus made it possible for us all to be together again someday…all of us who have toil long in the field and I pray those who come late to the field, if only they will come for the reward is sweet.
deedledee on March 24, 2008 at 7:51 AM
If as Crossan says, and I have no problem denigrating him, Jesus’ body was thrown in a common grave and eaten by dogs, why did the apostles so readily give their lives for the cause of Christ? Someone said, men will give their lives for what they believe to be the truth, but not for what they know is a lie. I dont know who said it, google’ doesnt turn up anything, but it makes sense.
I have absolutely no respect for Crossan and his ilk.
And Squid Shark, you say you have an open mind open to most anything, except to that of Jesus being the Son of God, who was crucified and rose on the third day, defeating death. Well, it’s a free country, believe what you want. Everything in scripture was written by eye witnesses to the fact. I stand with scripture.
abcurtis on March 24, 2008 at 7:54 AM
abcurtis:
How do you know they did? The only apostle noted as killed in Scripture is James, the brother of John (Acts 12:2). How do you know how any of the others died? What is your source material for this information?
HeIsSailing on March 24, 2008 at 8:13 AM
HeIsSailing:
The resurrection of Christ is a major doctrine, the very cornerstone of the Christian faith. But there are many doctrines the belief of which cements one’s acceptance of Christ. These doctrines are evidence of Christ’s divinity. It’s not so much NOT believing in the resurrection, but by rejecting that one doctrine, you reject Jesus’ divinity as a whole. You cant believe in His miracles and not His resurrection. Jesus is not a buffet where you pick and choose what appeals to you. You have to accept all of Him or none of Him.
Not trying to get deep theologically, but we all are sinners before God. It’s the sin that keeps us separated from God and that sends us to Hell. How to avoid Hell? Turn away from sin, repent (that’s a free choice) and accept the sacrifice Christ made on the cross for the payment in full of the sin debt owed to God. Sin is wiped away and we stand blameless before God. I am a sinner saved by grace - no more and no less. Thanks to what Jesus did, I’m a former sinner. I will stand before Him on the last day, clean, stainless, and sinless, just as if I had never sinned.
And God did give us free will - one can choose to believe not not.
So tell me, HeIsSailing, who do you say Jesus is - Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? The decision is yours.
abcurtis on March 24, 2008 at 8:13 AM
HeIsSailing:
Scripture does not tell us how the apostles died, I give you that one. We do know however, the Christian martyrs who were killed by the Roman persecution, Christians that have been persecuted all through history, and Christians today who willingly put themselves in danger in places in the world to spread the gospel of Christ. All of this is documented. Missionaries willingly go into many Islamic countries where confessing Christ is a death sentance.
Here is an excellent place to begin: http://www.persecution.com/
Are these people willing to die for what they KNOW to be a lie?
abcurtis on March 24, 2008 at 8:19 AM
abcurtis:
I’ll grant you that, but generic Christian martyrdom is very different from your earlier statement:
The fact is, we have no idea what happened to the only alleged eyewitnesses of Christ’s resurrection. Only lengendary sources attest to how they died. Their witness of the apostles by their own martyrdom is no evidence at all for the resurrection of Jesus.
HeIsSailing on March 24, 2008 at 8:38 AM
abcurtis asks:
No, that is not a decision that I can make. You are asking me to make decisions on the assumption that I take myth and legend as literal historical fact. I do not.
Let me ask you to make the following theological choice: Was the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl born of the virgin Coatlicue, or was he actually the son of Xochiquetzal and Mixcoatl? That is your decision to make - you have to choose abcurtis!
Why can you not make a decision? Because you understand that Aztec myth is not to be taken literally as historical fact. It is based on myth and legend, and when you understand that, making decisions based on it is impossible.
When you understand why the choice I have given you to make is completely nonsensical to you, you will understand why CS Lewis’ famous trilemna argument (Lord Liar or Lunatic) is nonsensical to me. Christians need to understand why these arguments only work on other Christians.
HeIsSailing on March 24, 2008 at 8:49 AM
It’s ridiculous to call Jesus myth or legend. Nineteen pagan Roman historians referred to him as a real teacher who was executed, as did three non-Christian Jewish historians. Additionally, the New Testament writers had no incentive to lie–most of them gave their lives for what they taught. Why would one die for what he knows is a lie?
jgapinoy on March 24, 2008 at 9:28 AM
Here is more about that.
jgapinoy on March 24, 2008 at 9:47 AM
Well, hmmm…
Doesn’t it HAVE TO BE interpreted that way to the Jew? If it were not, Jews would become Christians, wouldn’t they?
BNCurtis on March 24, 2008 at 10:01 AM
The ol Jedi mind trick, won’t trick you.
The reason your argument about Aztec religion is so unconvincing, is that along with the biblical texts, there are literally hundreds of texts and historical documents that sustain and support the bible.
Surely you believe Julius Caesar was a ruler and actually lived. Much more historical information was written about Jesus then Julius. Many more accurate accounts were written abut Jesus then Julius. Yet you would probably never walk around saying Julius was not a ruler, because some historical documents support that he was…and many more support whom Jesus was (is).
We use the bible because it is a document supported by many other documents, not just written by one person that pulled the information out of a hat.
That is how C.S. Lewis began his quest, to finally prove once and for all the myth of Jesus…he, like you, were upset by the “Christians” and there fables, he, maybe unlike you, decided to prove himself correct. And at the end, became a believer in the facts.
Facts, by the way, that are much more substantiated now then the decades ago of C.S. Lewis.
After 2,000 years, the most reviled book in history, still is embraced…much to the chagrin of the people who “keep and open mind”.
If history and facts won’t convince you, then Jedi mind tricks won’t either…”the force is strong within in you…”
You just keep chanting…I will not believe, I will not believe, I will not believe…and you will be just fine, you have at least 8% of the people with you (of course 10% still believe Elvis is alive, so your just 2% away from them).
right2bright on March 24, 2008 at 10:27 AM
hooray! I love how the colouring of eggs and the bunnies and candy have everything to do with the story of jesus. So did jesus come before the egg was laid by the bunny??! Or did he preceed the bunny and the eggs? It’s a grand paradox!!
easter makes no damned sense.
drift on March 24, 2008 at 10:56 AM
anybody watch south park? hahaha the fantastic easter special is awesome
drift on March 24, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Doesn’t it HAVE TO BE interpreted that way to the Jew? If it were not, Jews would become Christians, wouldn’t they?
BNCurtis on March 24, 2008 at 10:01 AM
But Jesus was a Jew preaching to Jews what Judaism understands G-d defined as idolatry from the time the earth was created. This has nothing to do with interpretation but with G-d’s commandments to mankind.
And keep in mind that Christianity claims to be a either a continuation or a replacement of Judaism. You have to have a very fickle creator of the universe to be able to stomach that.
So why should anyone have listened to him? He had no basis nor foundation to be accepted by anyone, certainly not the Jews he preached to.
Shy Guy on March 24, 2008 at 11:09 AM
“The way I read Scripture”? Brother, perhaps you should stop reading scripture your way and consider that you should seek to understand what God clearly says.
40″The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. 41″Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, - Matthew 25:40-42 (NIV)
I do not remember who once said this: Heaven is the presence of God with a mediator. Hell is the presence of God without one.
shick on March 24, 2008 at 11:52 AM
jgapinoy,
Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand,
he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. “And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” - Revelation 14:9-11 (NASB)
shick on March 24, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Ok, I can choose - no problem. The Axtec god is a false man made god, made in the image of something man has seen. He was never born, therefore never lived, certainly never died and resurrected. If he was revealed to man by some super natural being that being was Satan. He’s good at deceiving. There is no eyewitness account written or otherwise that anybody ever saw The Aztec god move or speak, or even create anything. As a god, he certainly should have been able to create something out of nothingness. He never changed water to wine, he never brought the dead to life. And he is still dead. In the OT book of Isaiah, YAWYEH challenged the other gods to come forth, make them selves known. Where was the Axtec “god” then, if he were real? There was only silence.
On the other hand I am made by my God in the image of my God. In the case of Jesus and His miracles, His death and Resurrection, eye witness after eye witness wrote and attest to the fact that these things did happen. And Jesus is still alive. Stephen did see him standing at the right hand of God, so there’s an eye witness for you.
As to how the apostles died, I did get off on the wrong foot. But the fact remains they died. And in none of their writings did they ever repudiate anything they ever said or taught about Jesus. There were no death bed confessions. And yeah, I know, some co-conspirator could have destroyed them. And the sky could fall too, but what’s the likely-hood of that?
So why cant you decide which of the Big “L’s” Jesus is?
abcurtis on March 24, 2008 at 1:38 PM
Jesus didn’t show up, either. And the nation who had received the Torah at Sinai and taught and obeyed G-d’s commandments to them throught all times, and every one of their prophets, Isaiah included, wouldn’t have given Jesus the time of day.
If you’re going to quote Isaiah, let’s go the full monty:
Isaiah 40:18
To whom then will you liken God? To what likeness will you compare Him?
Isaiah 40:25
“To whom then will you liken Me, that I should be his equal?” says the Holy One.
Isaiah 42:8
I am the Lord, that is My name, and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images!
Isaiah 43:10-11
“You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, nor will there be one after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no Savior.”
Isaiah 44:6-8
This is what the Lord says, Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty, “I am the first and I am the last; apart from Me there is no God! Who then is like Me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare it and lay it out before Me . . . . Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”
Isaiah 44:24
Thus said the Lord, your Redeemer, the One who formed you from the womb, “I am the Lord Who makes everything, Who stretched forth the heavens alone, Who spread out the earth by Myself.”
Isaiah 45:5-6
I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God . . . . I will strengthen you . . . in order that they know from the shining of the sun and from the west that there is no one besides Me; I am the Lord and there is no other!
Isaiah 45:21-22
. . . Who announced this from before, who declared it from the distant past? Is it not I, the Lord, and there is no God apart from Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other!
Isaiah 46:5
To whom shall you liken Me and make Me equal and compare Me that we may be alike?
Isaiah 46:9
Remember the first things of old, that I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is none like Me.
Isaiah 48:11
. . . and My honor I will not give to another.
And that’s just Isaiah!
Shy Guy on March 24, 2008 at 1:52 PM
There are 400 prophecies in my bible which only proves one thing, that Jesus’ followers had a copy of the Bible when they were writing his story later.
Squid Shark on March 24, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Are you under the impression that Jesus did preach against the Torah? His own words:
theregoestheneighborhood on March 24, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Eggs: symbol of new life
Bunnies: symbol of fertility
Easter: happens in the spring
What does it have to do with Christ? Nothing.
Easter was originally a pagan holiday focused on spring, renewal, fertility, and the promise of new life. It happened to take place roughly around the same time of year as the Jewish passover, and people have been getting the two mixed up for millennia.
So why do we still do it today? There was a move around the 4th century or so by the Catholic church to replace the old pagan holidays with new “Christian” ones. (BTW, this is also apparently why Christmas is celebrated on Dec 25th now. No text anywhere records the actual date of the birth of Christ.) The resurrection happening shortly after passover, and both having at least an implication of new life, made that replacement very easy. The colored eggs and bunnies have just been carried on ever since.
So if you’re a Christian and a purist — and some are — you might well refuse to have anything to do with colored eggs or rabbits around Easter. I think most Christians, even after they realize it has nothing to do with Christ, still see nothing wrong with the colored eggs, the Easter egg hunt, the rabbits, etc.
theregoestheneighborhood on March 24, 2008 at 11:32 PM
So then, have you put on Tefilin Today? How about Tzitzit? Keeping the meat and dairy separate in your kitchen now? Cooking with only kosher certified food? Observing the laws of not speaking Lashon Harah? Handling your Ma’aser money for charity correctly? Observing Hilchot Nidah? How about Sabbath on Saturday and strict obserance not to violate any of the 39 Melachot? When was the last time you heard Shofar on Rosh Hashannah, fasted on Yom Kippur, kept kosher le’Pessach, ate and slept in a Sucah on Sucot, made the correct blessings before and after eating every type of (kosher) food in this world, didn’t worship an idolatous image (bummer!) and - finally - are many of you guys uncircumcised or are you just happy to see me?
I’m sorry if some of the Hebrew terminology above is completely unknown to you but who are you fooling?! With the exception of new-fangled messianic Jesus cults trying to revive Jesus’ long and gone original Judeo-Christians, just one of many Jewish break-away cults at the time, Christians of every variety have rejected observing the Torah’s commandments since the word Chritsianity came into popular use.
Now, what parts of Romans and Corinthians would you like me to quote to show how another Jewish faker named Saul/Paul threw the whole Torah out the front door in order to appeal - with great success - to the ignorant non-Jewish pagan masses?
Shy Guy on March 25, 2008 at 12:45 AM
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