tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56309957611075564792024-03-13T11:36:25.772-04:00My Thoughts on ChristianityDoing my best to live it.Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-4856597324593575132011-04-24T15:34:00.001-04:002016-12-03T07:22:10.586-05:00Easter Thoughts<div style="line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have always loved C.S. Lewis’ <em style="line-height: 16px;">Chronicles of Narnia.</em></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a child, there was a little pigsty left over from Howard County's farming years that had become hidden and overrun with thorn bushes. The area was nestled behind an apple tree and pushed up against a newly erected chain link fence. The sty had been partly pulled down by mother nature, and wasn't easy to get to. In fact, I think you probably had to be under 10 years old to be able to squeeze through a small animal trail beneath some prickly undergrowth. If you could squeeze through the small tunnel underneath the stickerbushes you'd arrive in a small secure dome of imagination which was held together by the crumbling construct of the sty. I remember making it inside and feeling the soft powdery dirt that lined the floor of the place. The wooden beams were held together by old rusted pieces of metal, and termites had completely eaten through a lot of the roofing. As a result the ground was littered with fine leftover remnants of the soft wood, and the roof was half man-made and half mother nature. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This was the place I called Narnia.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At the time I had only read the first couple of books, and I didn't understand all the Christian allegorical meaning behind all of the passages. All I knew was that the Narnia world sounded wonderful, and the imagery of kids escaping their parents into a secret land was perfect for my imagination. For many months I ruled the inside of this hidden sty as a King, and the myriad of my action figures we're the players in my kingdom.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As an adult, I have recently begun rereading the Narnia Books. And I agree with the sentiment that "Aslan grows bigger as I grow older" (from <em style="line-height: 16px;">Prince Caspian).</em> I recently finished reading the fourth book in the series, <em style="line-height: 16px;">The Silver Chair. </em>I've noticed so many things in the series that mean so much more to me now. In <em style="line-height: 16px;">The Silver Chair</em>, Aslan the Great Lion, sends two children from our world, Jill and Eustace, to find Narnia’s lost Prince Rilian. Their companion on the quest is the ever-serious Narnian Marshwiggle Puddleglum. The apex of <em style="line-height: 16px;">The Silver Chair </em>provides a very moving debate, one which I have found myself struggling with throughout my adult life and also as a topic amongst some of my closest friends. The debate comes to a head after the following set up:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After a long and dangerous journey, Puddleglum and the children have found the lost Prince and freed him from the enchantment that bound him to the Green Witch and her dark underground realm. Before they can escape, though, the Witch appears - determined stop them. She uses her powers to try and persuade the children that all the things they believe in - the sun, sky, their own world, the land of Narnia, and even Aslan - are nothing more than an old dream, a game of imagination, a children’s story - while her cold, lightless, joyless kingdom of Underland is the only <strong style="line-height: 16px;">real world</strong>. She laughs at them for only being able to vaguely describe the memory they were introduced to in their own world. She mocked..."you imagined a bigger and better lamp and called it the <em style="line-height: 16px;">sun</em> . . . you want a bigger and better cat, and it’s to be called a<em style="line-height: 16px;"> lion."</em> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In response, Puddleglum gives one of the best speeches in the book, and it was something I really responded to last night as I read it. I had been contemplating the world a couple millennia ago as Christ lay silent in the tomb and his disciples were on the run...hiding and afraid. I thought what many Christians probably think when they're being honest with themselves. Is it really possible? Was he real? Did this really happen? Did he defeat death and rise? Can I live my life according to this truth? What about all those 'free thinkers' who say I'm crazy, that anyone that believes in this stuff is living in a fantasy land. The witch was trying to convince me that my memory of truth was a mirage created by my false hopes.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here's Puddleglum's response to the evil Queen of the underworld:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">‘One word, Ma’am . . . All you’ve been saying is quite right, I shouldn’t wonder. I’m a chap who always liked to know the worst of things and then put the best face I can on it. So I won’t deny any of what you said. But there’s one thing more to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things – trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. . .Then all I can say is, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only real world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that’s a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We’re just four babies making up a game, if you’re right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That’s why I’m going to stand by the play-world. I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can, even if there isn’t any Narnia. So . . . we’re leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think, but that’s small loss if the world’s as dull a place as you say.’ </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm with Puddleglum. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can, even if there isn’t any Narnia. But I have a strong inclination to know that it's real. Not Narnia of course, but what Narnia stands for in it's allegorical way. I'm going to be a follower of Christ, even when I have doubts about what happened on this day two thousand plus years ago. Because I've seen the reality of the resurrection even in my own life. I've been given opportunities that my decision making should have squelched out a long time ago. I've been rescued time and time again when I hide in the truth of that unseen reality. And why should I yearn for Christ's world so dearly (The Kingdom of Heaven aka Overland) if it doesn't exist? Why would my heart tell me otherwise?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In Easter service this morning, it was stated that 'the search for something more describes the arc of our human existence.' I think that's true. It's the reason I was thrilled about the Narnia series as a young boy...it was the reason I crawled through a fortress of thorns to seeking a safe haven for my imagination, and it's the reason we all wonder at times why we feel unsatisfied with the things of this world. So the question that Jesus asked Mary Magdeline when she arrived at the empty tomb a couple thousand years ago should be posited to all of us today. Why are you crying and who are you looking for? The answer, as our pastor John Yates said today...it all hangs on Easter. Christ can't be who we're looking for unless he dealt with death once and for all on Easter morning all those Sunday's ago. Easter is the day that the little escape tunnel through the undergrowth becomes a four lane highway to freedom. It means that we don't have to cry or search anymore.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For me, and for all of us, the answer is found in the risen Christ. I don't have to crawl through the undergrowth to find a magical escape. The Kingdom of Heaven is indeed at hand. Happy Easter!</span></div>
Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-14397305545445010772011-04-20T21:08:00.000-04:002011-04-20T21:08:58.364-04:00The Well - Post Reason For God StudyAwesome night tonight at our party. We concluded the Reason for God study and had a great turnout for tonight's event. I guess if the study had been a total flop no one would have come. So I'm glad to see so many new faces in attendance. It was an awesome thing to host, I learned a lot about myself, but I'm ready for a little break. I feel like I'm ready to take a turn being spiritually fed.<br />
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I have been volunteering a lot lately. Singing, The Well leadership committee, facilities, reading at services...I'm ready to focus on myself a bit. I find that going strong with The Well for about 6 months, and then taking a 3 month break works well for me. By the time I'm done the down time, I'm ready to get to volunteering again.<br />
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Tonight reinforced how important it is to be in communion with other members of the body of Christ. It was really awesome. I was tired, and not overjoyed at going initially. But by the time I left I was on another high for the G-O-D. A younger guy in the group asked to go to lunch this week as he's considering law school in the future. It just feels good to connect.<br />
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Much LoveChristian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-89705531225525787272011-04-18T21:40:00.001-04:002011-04-18T21:40:02.573-04:00Holy WeekSo today was a better day as far as the spiritual warfare goes. It's interesting, I often think of the language used in the bible about scales falling from eyes. The imagery is so beautiful. When I'm not communing with Christ, I really am turned off to my spirituality. I really am blind to it for that period of time. When I'm not feeling that relationship with the living Christ, I feel nothing until the scales fall away.<br /><br />So I understand why people become convinced that God doesn't exist. They must feel like I do, when I'm going through a period of spiritual desert, except they feel that way all the time. It'd be like trying to convince them that there's life in a rock. It's just not apparently there.<br /><br />And then all of a sudden, usually because I return to my knees in a broken state, I feel Gods presence again. I'm back in communion with Christ and it's palpable. My prayers are answered, but more noticeably, I remember to pray. About everything. When I'm going through the dark moments, I don't even think to consider God when decision making. But once the scales fall away, I can't stop thinking of Him. And the joy returns.<br /><br />It's been back for a couple days, and I'm excited about it.<br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=My%20bed&z=10'>My bed</a></p>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-52844241746095991172011-04-17T20:43:00.000-04:002011-04-17T20:43:07.781-04:00Spritual WarfareIt's been a week since I've posted. I've been busy. My wife was out of town for 5 days conducting a jury trial and I became a single parent. Getting the little guy off to school and picking him up, getting breakfast and dinner prepared, plus household maintenance and work...well, by the end of the day I was exhausted.<br />
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Satan was all over it. He gleefully took advantage of my tiredness and busy schedule. He did everything in his power to keep me away from my relationship with Christ. Well, tomorrow that's going to end. It's Holy Week as of today and I want to make it special. I did a really haphazard job this lenten season when it came to building my relationship with Christ. I'm committing now to getting up early so I can get in the scripture and prayer. I'm volunteering at the RRM on Tuesday night. I'm reading at the Good Friday service at noon. I'm getting back into it and there's nothing that can stop me.<br />
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It feels good to be back.Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-75936370175546196012011-04-11T19:56:00.000-04:002011-04-11T19:56:35.957-04:00FatherhoodI have a 4 year old son. He is an incredible person. I know most parents will say that about their kids, but this guy is different. Really. He's beyond anything that I can take credit for. He was just born a good person. We never went through a terrible two phase with him. He's always been loving, attentive and well behaved. Very odd considering the genetics he's working with.<br />
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I wanted to memorialize something that happened yesterday. It happened fast and lasted about 10 seconds. But it was awesome.<br />
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We pray a lot in this house. Before meals, at night, in the morning before work. It really has become a rhythm of life around here, and I'm so freaking happy it's that way. My son will often pray for me at night, or say his own prayers, but it's often a procrastination tool or something that we'll prompt.<br />
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Yesterday however, I was smoking my pipe on our front porch after church. I was flipping through my iphone. Noah sat next to me on the steps. He said, "It's a beautiful day Dad."<br />
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I said, "Yea buddy it is!" I continued to distractedly play with my phone until I noticed his head was down in his hands. I thought maybe something flew into his eye. I looked down at him and he lifted his head up and said 'Amen."<br />
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I said, "Hey, were you saying a prayer?" He said "Yea, it's such a beautiful day." I said, "What did you pray?" He said..."oh, just nuthin..." (Meaning he didn't really want to talk about it.) I said, "You know, Daddy says prayers too when I'm thankful or happy." He said..."Me too Dad."<br />
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And then the conversation quickly turned to ninjas or something. And the moment was over just like that!<br />
Pretty wonderfully awesome. He turned four last month. I'm crazy in love with him.Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-34684749128931175802011-04-07T11:16:00.002-04:002011-04-07T20:25:22.939-04:00Rock Lyrics - Christian MeaningsOK, so this song doesn't directly hit on Christianity, or even God for that matter...but it reminds me of my mental state before I found my way to God. Chasing after the worldly things. And for that reason, it makes the list.<br />
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Crazy - By Gnarls Barkley<br />
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I remember when, I remember<br />
I remember when I lost my mind<br />
There was something so pleasant about that place<br />
Even your emotions have an echo, in so much space<br />
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And when you're out there without care<br />
Yeah, I was out of touch<br />
But it wasn't because I didn't know enough<br />
I just knew too much<br />
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Does that make me crazy?<br />
Does that make me crazy?<br />
Does that make me crazy?<br />
Possibly...<br />
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And I hope that you are<br />
Having the time of your life<br />
But think twice<br />
That's my only advice<br />
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Come on now, who do you<br />
Who do you, who do you, who do you think you are?<br />
Ha ha ha, bless your soul<br />
You really think you're in control?<br />
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Well, I think you're crazy<br />
I think you're crazy<br />
I think you're crazy<br />
Just like me<br />
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My heroes had the heart<br />
To lose their lives out on a limb<br />
And all I remember<br />
Is thinking, I want to be like them<br />
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Ever since I was little<br />
Ever since I was little<br />
It looked like fun<br />
And it's no coincidence I've come<br />
And I can die when I'm done<br />
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But maybe I'm crazy<br />
Maybe you're crazy<br />
Maybe we're crazy<br />
Probably<br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />
<div class="blogpress_location">Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Java%20Divine&z=10">Java Divine</a></div>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-34906273807493351582011-04-06T21:40:00.000-04:002011-04-06T21:40:10.420-04:00Keller StudyGreat night talking about why God would allow some to suffer eternal torment. Chapter 5 of the book talks about Hell and makes it clear, (i think), that Hell is not a place that God imposes on us by violence... but rather is a place that we choose when we insist on our way.The following is a great sermon by Keller.<br />
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<a href="http://download.redeemer.com/sermons/Hell_Isnt_the_God_of_Christianity.mp3">http://download.redeemer.com/sermons/Hell_Isnt_the_God_of_Christianity.mp3</a><br />
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I'm also excited by the prospect of getting together this summer with a close knit core group of guys to stay strong in my faith. We did it last summer and it was really helpful. The summer months can kind of be a spiritual desert of sorts. It's a great time for a book study, and some small group accountability. Also a cool way to build relationships with fellow Christians.<br />
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I love the small group I've been with over the past couple months. Strong Christians that have me in my Bible in my spare time. Loving it.<br />
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Much Love.Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-62969334436547571092011-04-05T11:25:00.002-04:002011-04-05T21:32:34.391-04:00When the Enemy Knocks<a href="http://monk2be.com/?p=178">When the Enemy Knocks</a><br />
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I enjoyed this gentleman's post for a variety of reasons.<br />
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First of all, it is written with an honesty that I often aspire to, but rarely duplicate in this blog. I often worry that my postings won't be profound enough, or that they'll be horribly boring if I spend too much time on my everyday challenges and concerns. <br />
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Secondly, he is becoming a priest. I'm still in awe that people have the calling at such a young age. The thought of me even considering the Priesthood in my 20's would have been laughable to say the least.<br />
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Finally, his description of spiritual warfare is right on. Satan piles up as many cumulative little things when you're tired. He prays on exhaustion and worry. He tries to convince you that you're not good enough, that you are incapable of being successful. That you in fact don't reflect God's glory...perhaps even that there is no God.<br />
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Enjoy, Thought I'd share. Much Love.Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-79023912141714585302011-04-04T21:44:00.005-04:002011-04-05T21:31:47.170-04:00Great Video<a href="http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=440910512504">http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=440910512504</a>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-59418722651465241552011-04-02T22:35:00.002-04:002011-04-05T21:30:54.058-04:00Finding The Right BibleIt's taken me a while but I think I have finally found the answer.<br />
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I plan on purchasing the NIV/Message parallel bible. The Message is a loose free flow thought for thought style of read. It makes getting through some of the Old Testament stuff a pleasure. However, I think it loses some of the poetic language that we've grown accustomed to in the NKJV, and the NIV. I was perusing some if the parallel Bibles and I think it's the way to go. I love comparing translations. I used to always flip to Psalm 19 to see if I'd like the version. The first 5 verses are really tough to get across in english. The theme is the unspoken proof of God's existence in the universe. Some translations use the word 'speech' repeatedly in a way that is confusing. The HCSB repeats 'speech' because it adheres closely to a literal translation. But I don't like that. The NRSV and the NKJV handles the translation well, but changes the meaning slightly. The Message actually captures the thought perfectly, but uses completely different words.<br />
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So...I would recommend getting either the NKJV/Message, NIV/Message, or the HCSB/Message or NRSV/Message parralel Bibles. The NRSV, NKJV, and the Holman are the most readable and accurate translations that I've found. To match them up with the Message would give a rounded out experience. But I'm going NIV/Message most likely because...well...I just enjoy those versions the best. I've spent most of the past couple of years in the NIV and I'm pretty familiar with it. I find that the best translation of Paul's Epistles are found in the NRSV.<br />
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Here's a handy link to a nice chart from Zondervan. Check it. Much Love.<br />
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http://www.zondervan.com/m/bibles/translation_chart_poster.pdfChristian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-42501908167921920252011-03-30T22:12:00.000-04:002011-03-30T22:12:47.678-04:00Evangelism<div style="text-align: justify;">Evangelism. Kind of an ugly word for a lot of folks. It gets a bad wrap. I just got home from the Keller study and I was chatting with a guy I met on the beach retreat. His group has an atheist in it who promotes some great discussion. I have a group filled with believers, and it's been good, but I long for some serious debate at times. Anyway, I was really glad to hear that the conversation was open and respectful. My buddy said that the atheist had really given some honest thoughts to the possibility of Christ. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm proud of the way we have run this course. All of our Well studies are set up to promote interfaith dialogue and healthy safe discussion. It's a forum where all sides can learn something. But at the same time, we're hopefully to make strides for Christ. We are doing our best to evangelize in a safe and loving way. No one is coerced to do anything. It's a forum where we can wrestle with tough topics and hopefully convince people that God loves them and desperately wants to know them. This is done through a humble, servant type of example.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I pray that our Christian community can live up to the standards and model set forth in the Bible. One of the points made tonight in the video was that no one was surprised that the Church had made mistakes in the past. It's an organization run by people and so it is destined to be flawed...that reaction to the Church bothered me. I want the world wide Christian community to be set apart. I want it to be filled with people that have been affected by the spirit and born again. I want people to be shocked and outraged when the Church lets them down. I want it to be special and held to a higher standard.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I want to reflect that I have been changed. I want to care about people before myself. I want my community to do the same. I pray for world wide change.</div>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-68249046034208962422011-03-28T21:47:00.010-04:002011-03-30T22:00:53.848-04:00Prayer Beadshttp://kingofpeace.org/prayerbeads.htm<br />
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I've mentioned before in previous posts that I'm often drawn to the Catholic Church. A lot of their tradition captivates me, and I find it very beautiful. I think praying the rosary is an incredible way to enrich your prayer life. Unfortunately for me, many of the rosary prayers are inappropriate due to the focus on Mary as intercessor. I don't need to be spending that much time prayer to a Saint. I need to be focusing on Christ and his saving grace.<br />
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I recently found some Anglican websites that make protestant prayer beads. I think the prayers are beautiful and harken back to the tradition of the early church fathers without going down the needless intercessory road. I'm going to have to order some.Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-29404283269827576772011-03-27T21:54:00.003-04:002011-03-27T21:59:19.433-04:00Battling Fear - Psalm 62<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14829" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></sup></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">David is in the midst of fear. Yet he begins his prayer by glorifying God the Almighty. In verses 3 & 4 he cries out to his enemies. How long do they intend on kicking him when he is down? Verses 5 - 8 provide the bookend to his concern and anxiety with more praise to God. In fact, it almost reads as if he is teaching his people how to handle fear and uncertainty. Verses 9 & 10 remind us that putting our hopes in our idols to provide protection is a fruitless endeavor. 11 & 12 remind us that God is just and loving, but also that He will be faithful to us when we abide in Him.</span></div></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14829" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">1</sup> Truly my soul finds rest in God; </span></div></div><div style="min-height: 100%; position: relative;"><div class="nH" style="width: 1538px;"><div class="nH" style="position: relative;"><div class="nH"><div class="no"><div class="nH nn" style="min-height: 1px; width: 1366px;"><div class="nH"><div class="nH"><div class="nH q0CeU z"><div class="l m" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; width: 1366px;"><div class="l n" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; margin: inherit; padding: inherit;"><div class="k" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;"><div class="diLZtc"><div class="nH"><div class="nH"><div class="nH"><div class="nH"><div class="nH g id"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> my salvation comes from him.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14830" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">2</sup> Truly he is my rock and my salvation;</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14831" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">3</sup> How long will you assault me?</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Would all of you throw me down—</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> this leaning wall, this tottering fence?</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14832" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"></sup></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14832" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">4</sup> Surely they intend to topple me</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> from my lofty place;</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> they take delight in lies.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With their mouths they bless,</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> but in their hearts they curse.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14833" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">5</sup> Yes, my soul, find rest in God;</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> my hope comes from him.</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14834" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"></sup></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14834" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">6</sup> Truly he is my rock and my salvation;</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14835" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"></sup></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14835" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">7</sup> My salvation and my honor depend on God;</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> he is my mighty rock, my refuge.</span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14836" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14836" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">8</sup> Trust in him at all times, you people;</span></div></div></sup><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> pour out your hearts to him,</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> for God is our refuge.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14837" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">9</sup> Surely the lowborn are but a breath,</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> the highborn are but a lie.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">If weighed on a balance, they are nothing;</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> together they are only a breath.</div></div><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14838" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14838" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">10</sup> Do not trust in extortion</span></div></div></sup><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> or put vain hope in stolen goods;</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">though your riches increase,</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> do not set your heart on them.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14839" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">11</sup> One thing God has spoken,</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> two things I have heard:</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">“Power belongs to you, God,</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-14840" style="line-height: normal; vertical-align: text-top;">12</sup> and with you, Lord, is unfailing love”;</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">and, “You reward everyone</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"> according to what they have done.”</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">We can't command ourselves to have less fear. Our fear needs to be overwhelmed by the greater </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">sentiment </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">of fearing God the creator. When we put God first, when we revere the awe inspiring </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">God before we move </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">to our concerns...everything is put in order. Thats the story of God's faithfulness.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">The story of scripture. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">We find rest by pouring out our hearts to God like David does in verse 8. God </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">wants us to vent to Him. It </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">is cathartic for us, but also productive, since God is the only one that can </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">truly come to our aid. We find </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">rest by refusing to seek rest in the world's offer of<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> security. A David says,</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">these offers are lies. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ways we learn to properly fear god is by learning to rest in him. Notice </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that </span></span>rest is different from rescue. It's </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">not the same thing as escape. It's a calm in the eye of the storm that </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">you have to actively seek. Rest comes </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">when we remind ourselves who God is and what he has done. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">David starts the psalm off that way. Stop </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">listening to yourself and start talking </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to God. Start speaking to </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">aloud about what you know is true. Examples </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">of this dialogue, this pouring out of our hearts in prayer </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">can be found throughout the psalms.</span></div></div></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Lord, teach me to pour my heart out to you. Teach me to come to you in reverence, seeking to tell you </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">what </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know is true. That you are the only help in the midst of the storm. In you alone I trust.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Much Love.</span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-63179562595841649102011-03-26T16:05:00.002-04:002011-03-27T22:00:07.851-04:00The Well Beach RetreatDueteronomy 10:12 And now oh Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.<br />
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My wife and I are at a ginormous beach house with other members of our Well group. The theme for the weekend is fear. Where does it come from? What exactly are we afraid of and why?<br />
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This is what I've come up with so far: If you trust God, you will fear him, and if you fear him, you will fear worldly things far less often. (I use fear in the sense that the ancient hebrews used the word. It encompasses more than just being afraid, but includes also a reverential sense of awe. We don't have an exact word in English to properly translate the Hebrew word fear in our bibles.)<br />
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Fear is so prevalent in today's society. I can attest to it. Sometimes I lay awake at night worrying about work the next work day. A lot of those nights, I can name nothing specific that consumes my thoughts. It's simply a general sense of anxiety. Ridiculous actually. And how often do I turn to my idols for a source of comfort and distraction, when I should be kneeling before the almighty Lord God in reverence? If I came to Christ in awe, knowing that through Him All things were made, including myself...how big would my concerns seem? Not very. But I'm not saying anything new. Check it:<br />
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Jeremiah 10:2 <br />
Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the sky,<br />
Though the nations are terrified by them.<br />
For the customs of the peoples are worthless;<br />
They cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.<br />
They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammers and nails<br />
So it will not totter. (This reminds me of all my apple products).<br />
Like a scarecrow in a melon patch, their idols cannot speak;<br />
They must be carried because they cannot walk.<br />
Do not fear them; They can do no harm nor can they do any good.<br />
No one is like you, O Lord; You are great, and your name is mighty in power<br />
Who should not revere you, O King of the nations? This is your due.<br />
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Isaiah 2:22 <br />
Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils.<br />
Of what account is he?<br />
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So when you come to God with a sense of reverence and awe, it follows that your priorities will then be set right. But why is it so hard to remember to put God in His proper place of glory in our lives? I blame a lot of it on modern gadgets and the distractions that flow from them. Our modern day idols. Radio, tv, movies...constant filler and sound. I know many people who can't fall asleep without constant sound in the background. Anything to fill our mind and push away the concerns of life. If we can succeed at mastering/masking our fear with modern idols, why would we need to call upon God? <br />
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Another reason we don't like to go to God in reverence, is that our society teaches us that there is no such ing as sin. We are all free to be you and me, and that everyone is entitled to their own sense of morality...their own definition of right and wrong. It's all subjective. So if there isn't the acknowledgement that in the face of God we deserve nothing other than to be crushed and obliterated...than why revere Him? Why even acknowledge Him? Sometimes it takes a face to face encounter to get us to understand the power and glory of the almighty. Every example we see in the bible follows the following format. Falling on your knees in shame, begging for forgiveness, repenting in the face of the almighty, recoiling as God reaches out to you in forgiveness, and then volunteering to live for Him in supreme worship. Take Isaiah 6 for example:<br />
<br />
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:<br />
<br />
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; <br />
the whole earth is full of his glory.”<br />
<br />
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.”<br />
<br />
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”<br />
<br />
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”<br />
<br />
And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”<br />
<br />
In the ancient hebrew there were no exclamation points. In order to describe someone's beauty, you would say she was pretty pretty. This is the only part of the bible where something is described in triplicate. The angels proclaim God as holy holy holy. This was a grammatical impossibility, but the only way to describe Gods glory. Isaiah was faced with this infinitely powerful truth, and could only fall to his knees in terror saying 'woe is me.' He acknowledges that he is a product of his generation, worried about things of this world, and living a life of unclean words and lips. The only thing he deserves is to be smote under Gods wrath. But in one of many snapshots, or foreshadowings of Christ's coming, he is forgiven and washed clean by the purifying act of God. His first instinct is to stand up and volunteer to a life of service.<br />
<br />
Yes, we react to His grace don't we?!<br />
<br />
God, I ask that you reorient me to a life of worshiping you. I ask that you fill me with the Holy Spirit and interrupt my life like you did Isaiah. Remind me that I am simply filled with one breath, without You, destined for eternal extinguishment. Absolve me of my sins through Christ's complete work on the cross, allow me to accept that gift, and to live my life according to your wishes for me. In Jesus's name I pray.<br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br />
<div class="blogpress_location">Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Figure%20Eight%20Island&z=10">Figure Eight Island</a></div>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-38948614090114575282011-03-21T20:53:00.000-04:002011-03-20T21:56:16.582-04:00The Historical Jesus<h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #993300;"><span style="color: #006699;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Extra Biblical Christian Evidence</span></span></span></h1><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">Note:</span></strong> Though many skeptics claim the early church fathers did not use independent extra-Biblical sources, throughout this section will show otherwise. Potential references to the use of a extra-biblical sources will be shown using <span style="color: #990066;">purple</span> font.</div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">CLEMENT OF ROME (? – 98? A.D.)</span></strong><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Clement</span></a> was a bishop of Rome and later became known as the fourth pope. He was eventually martyred in approximately 98 A.D. Some speculate Paul was referring to Clement in <a class="lbsBibleRef" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Philippians%204.3" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;">Philippians 4:3</a> but this cannot be proven. Clement was a first century apostolic author which gives credence to his first-hand account of early Christianity. In the passage below, Clement confirms the ministry of the disciples and some of the basic tenets of early Christianity.</div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“The Apostles received the Gospel for us from the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was sent forth from God. So then Christ is from God, and the Apostles are from Christ. Both therefore came of the will of God in the appointed order. Having therefore received a charge, and being fully assured through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and confirmed in the word of God will full assurance of the Holy Ghost, they went forth with the glad tidings that the kingdom of God should come. So preaching everywhere in country and town, they appointed their first fruits, when they had proved them by the Spirit, to be bishops and deacons unto them that should believe.”</em><a href="http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~tomshoemaker/handouts/1clement.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">Co</span></a><a href="http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~tomshoemaker/handouts/1clement.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">rinthians</span></a><a href="http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~tomshoemaker/handouts/1clement.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> 42</span></a></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066;">Examples of Extra-Biblical Resource Evidence for Clement:</span></div></div></div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">And giving heed unto His words, ye laid them up diligently in your </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">hearts, and His sufferings were before</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">your eyes</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“</span></em><a href="http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~tomshoemaker/handouts/1clement.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Chapter </span></a><a href="http://www.mc.maricopa.edu/~tomshoemaker/handouts/1clement.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">2</span></a><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (correspondence with</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> possible </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">eye-</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">witnesses)</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/Tertulli" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Tertullian</span></a><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> and </span><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/Jerome-S" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jerome</span></a><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> record the belief Clement was </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">personally </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ordained by and a disciple of Peter</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (which</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">implies he </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">was privy to </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">extra-</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">biblical information as he was close to an original apostle)</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“The New Testament he [Clement] never quotes verbally. Sayings </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">of Christ are now and then given, but</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">not in the </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">words of the </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Gospels. It </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">cannot be proved, therefore, that he used any one of </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the Synoptic</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Gospels.”</span></em><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> The C</span></a><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">atholic </span></a><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Encyclopedia</span></a><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> Online</a></span></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH (? – ~100 A.D)</span></strong><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07644a.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07644a.htm" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Ignatius</span></a> </span>was a Bishop of Antioch reported to have been appointed to his position by Peter of whom he was a disciple. He is also believed to be a disciple of Paul and John. Ignatius was arrested by the Romans and executed as a martyr in the arena. Even though his testimony would ultimately lead to his death, Ignatius was adamant about the things he witnessed. He reinforces early Christian beliefs in the letters he penned while in prison. Even when execution was imminent, Ignatius refused to recant his faith.</div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“Jesus Christ who was of the race of David, who was the Son of Mary, who was truly born and ate and drank, was truly persecuted under Pontius Pilate, was truly crucified and died in the sight of those in heaven and on earth and those under the earth. Who moreover was truly raised from the dead, His father having raised Him, who in the like fashion will so raise us also who believe in Him.” </em><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-trallians-lightfoot.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">Trallians</span></a></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“He is truly of the race of David according to the flesh but Son of God by the Divine will and powered, truly born of a virgin and baptized by John that all righteousness might be fulfilled by Him, truly nailed up in the flesh for our sakes under Pontius Pilate and Herod the tetrarch… That He might set up an ensign unto all ages through His resurrection.” </em><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/IGNATIUS.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">S</span></a><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/IGNATIUS.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">myrneans</span></a><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/IGNATIUS.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">, 1</span></a></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“Be ye fully persuaded concerning the birth and the passion and the resurrection, which took place in the time of the governorship of Pontius Pilate. For these things were truly and certainly done by Jesus Christ our hope.” </em><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0105.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">Magnesians XI</span></a></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066;">Examples of Extra-Biblical Resource Evidence for Ignatius:</span></div></div></div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/Theodrt" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Theodoret</span></a><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> state</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">s</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Ignatius was </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">personally appointed to the Anti</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">och</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> See by</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Peter</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">like Clement, this </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">impli</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">es</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a personal </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">relationship </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">with </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">an </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">original apostle,</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> making</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> extra-biblical </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">information</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> available to </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">him).</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/JohnChry" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">John Chrysostom</span></a><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> emphasises </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the honor </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">bestowed upon Ignatius </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">as </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">he</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> personally receiv</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ed</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> his dedication</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">from</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> the </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">apostles.</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Clement was a</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">lso believed to be a disciple of Paul and John.</span></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> How can Clement and Ignatius knowing the apostles be considered extra-biblical</span></div><span style="color: #993300;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;">resources? If some of the apostles were said to have </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">written</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"> the New Testament, how is this any different than</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">using</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"> the New Testament as a source? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;">There are several reasons why this is important. First of all, Clement and Ignatius would have most certainly been privy to the apostles’ first-hand testimonies instead of simply having to rely on a “text” that “someone” had written. Second, because they were said to have known the apostles intimately, they would have had a far greater ability to discredit their claims. Apparently the disciples passed all of their tests because both Clement and Ignatius died as martyrs (which would have been highly unlikely if they had any doubts concerning</span></span></span></div><span style="color: #993300;"><div style="text-align: justify;">the apostles’ claims).</div></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">QUADRATUS OF ATHENS (126 A.D.)</span></strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadratus_%28apostle%29" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Quadratus</span></a> was an Athenian bishop and direct disciple of the Apostles. He is generally regarded as the first Christian apologist because of his defense given to Emperor Hadrian in 126 A.D. Quadratus points out the fact that a few who were healed and resurrected by Jesus lived until modern times.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #990066;">“The deeds of our Savior were always before you, for they were true miracles. Those that were healed, those that were raised from the dead, who were seen, not only when healed and when raised, but were always present. They remained living a long time, not only while our Lord was on earth, but likewise when he had left the earth. So that some of them have also lived to our own times.”</span></em><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/PATRISTC/PII1-2.TXT" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> Eusebius IV</span></a><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/library/PATRISTC/PII1-2.TXT" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #006699;"> III, 2</span></a></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066;">Examples of Extra-Biblical Resource Evidence for Quadratus:</span></div></div></div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">In the above passage, Quadratus </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">r</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">efers to</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> t</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">hose who were healed </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">by Jesus and had lived </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">until modern</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">times.</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Like Clement and Ignatius, Quadratus was </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">said by </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Eusebius</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> to be</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> a </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">direct </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">disciple </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">o</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">f</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> the apostles.</span></li>
</ul><div id="e36"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">ARISTIDES THE ATHENIAN (126 A.D.)</span></strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristides_the_Athenian" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Aristides</span></a>, along with Quadratus mentioned above, presented an apology to Emperor Hadrian during his stay in Athens in 126 A.D. Aristides describes the treatment of Jesus by His own people, the Jews, and contrasts their beliefs with those of the Christians.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“When the Son of God was pleased to come upon the earth, they received him with wanton violence and</em></div><em></em><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><em>betrayed him into the hands of Pilate the Roman governor. Paying no respect to his good deeds and the</em></span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><em>countless miracles he performed among them, they demanded a sentence of death by the cross… Now the Christians trace their origin from the Lord Jesus Christ… The Son of the most high God who came down from heaven, being born of a pure [Hebrew] virgin, for the salvation of men… And he was crucified, being pierced with nails by the Jews. And after three days He came to life again and ascended into heaven. His twelve apostles, after his ascension into heaven, went forth into the provinces of the whole world proclaiming the true doctrine… They who still observe the righteousness enjoined by their preaching are called Christians.” </em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/aristides-kay.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">Apology</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/aristides-kay.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> XIV-XV</span></a></span></em></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">JUSTIN MARTYR (~100 – 165 A.D.)</span></strong><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/JustinMa" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Justin Martyr</span></a>, possibly the most well-known early Christian apologist, was an educated pagan philosopher who converted to Christianity around 130 A.D. Though he risked losing his wealth, status, and life, Justin fearlessly spread Christianity throughout Asia Minor and Rome. Refusing to recant his testimony, he was led to his death via scourging and beheading in 165 A.D. Being an educated man, Justin weighed the evidence carefully before accepting his new faith and explains to the reader he made his decision only after careful consideration and research.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“</em><em>There is a village in Judea, thirty-five stadia from Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ was born, as you can see from the tax registers under Cyrenius, your first procurator in Judea</em><em>… He was born of a virgin as a man, and was named Jesus, and was crucified, and died, and rose again, and ascended into heaven… After He was crucified, all His acquaintances denied Him. But once He had risen from the dead and appeared to them and explained the prophecies which foretold all these things and ascended into heaven, the apostles believed. They received the power given to them by Jesus and went into the world preaching the Gospel.” </em><a href="http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf01-46.htm#P3593_620967" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">First Apology</a><a href="http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf01-46.htm#P3593_620967" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">, 34, </a><a href="http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf01-46.htm#P3593_620967" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">46, </a><a href="http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-01/anf01-46.htm#P3593_620967" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">50</a></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“At the time of His birth, Magi from Arabia came and worshipped Him, coming first to Herod, who was then sovereign in your land… When they crucified Him, driving in the nails, they pierced His hands and feet. Those who crucified Him parted His garments among themselves, each casting lots… But you did not repent after you learned that He rose from the dead. </em><em>Instead, you sent men into to the world to proclaim that a godless heresy had sprung from Jesus, a Galilean deceiver, whom was crucified and that His disciples stole His body from the tomb in order to deceive men by claiming He had risen from the dead and ascended into heaven.</em><em>” </em><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dialogue with</a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Trypho</a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">, 77 97, 107-8</a></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #990066;">Examples of Extra-Biblical Resource Evidence for Justin:</span></div></div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Justin </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">presents one of the </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">earliest</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> statements that specifically </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">attest to Jesus’ </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">historicity. </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Justin </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">refers</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> his</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">audience </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">to the </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Judean tax registers where </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">they would find evidence of </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus’ </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">birth.</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">In the second </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">quote</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> above, </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Justin is refuting the rumors</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> concerning a resurrection </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">conspiracy</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> a</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">nd the</span></div><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ccusation</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> t</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">hat </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus was a </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Galilean </span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">deceiver</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> J</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ustin’s awareness of </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">rumors</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> concerning Jesus </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">r</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">eveals</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">his </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">knowledge of</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> e</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">xtra</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Biblical</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> t</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">estimony.</span></span></div></span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Justin uses the healing </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ministry </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">of Christians to attest to the </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">very real power of Christ</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">: </span><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">C</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ountless</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">possessed</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> men </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">throughout the </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">land are </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">being </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">exorcised by many of our </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christian men in the name of</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus Christ, who </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">was crucified </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">under </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Pontius Pilate, </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">continue </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">to heal</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">, </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">rendering helpless and </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">driving the</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">demons</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> out of men, </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">though they could not </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">be </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">cured </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">by </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">any</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> other </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">exorcists </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">or</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> those </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">who used </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">incantations</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">and </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">drugs.”</span></em><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-secondapology.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Second Apology VI</span></a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-secondapology.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Justi</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">n makes a reference to </span><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Acts of </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Pilate</span></em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> which was not </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a Biblical</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">:</span><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> “</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">An</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">d that these things </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">did happen,</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">you </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">can </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ascertain </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">from the </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Acts of </span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Pontius Pilate.</span></em><em><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">” </span></em><a href="http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">First Apology XXXV</span></a><a href="http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">HEGESIPPUS (110 A.D. – 180 A.D.)</span></strong><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Hegesippus" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Hegesippus</span></a> converted to Christianity from Judaism after extensively researching the Gospel story for himself. Instead of accepting the Gospel story at the word of others, he travelled extensively throughout Rome and Corinth in an effort to collect evidence of the early Christian claims. Hegesippus provides important testimony that the stories being passed around were not watered down, embellished, or fabricated.</div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“This man [James] was a true witness to both Jews and Greeks that Jesus is the Christ… </em><em><span style="color: #990066;">The Corinthian church continued in the true doctrine until Primus became bishop</span></em><em>. I mixed with them on my voyage to Rome and spent several days with the Corinthians, during which we were refreshed with the true doctrine. On arrival at Rome </em><em><span style="color: #990066;">I pieced together the succession down to Anicetus, whose deacon was Eleutherus, Anicetus being succeeded by Soter and he by Eleutherus</span></em><em>. In ever line of bishops and in every city things accord with the preaching of the Law, the Prophets, and the Lord.” </em><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/hegesippus.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: #006699;">The History of the </span></em></a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/hegesippus.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: #006699;">Church</span></em></a></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066;">Examples of Extra-Biblical Resource Evidence for Hegesippus:</span></div></div></div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hegesippus describes the </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ministry and demise of James </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">(Jesus’ brother) at the hands of </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the pharisees.</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">These </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">accounts</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> were</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> not </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">mentioned in </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">New </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Testamen</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">t.</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hegesippus fervently retrace</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">d</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> the roots of the early church </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">and states he did so in order </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">to </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ensure the</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">circulating </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">testimonies </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">concerning </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christ </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">were genuine.</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">In his research, Hegesippus</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> recounts</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> the ministr</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ies of</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> several witnesses (primarily </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">church </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">fathers</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">) not</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">included in </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Bible.</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hegesippus </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">documents</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> the </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">interrogation of Jesus’ grand-</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">nephews by Domitian and </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">records </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">t</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">hey lived into</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the reign </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">of </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Tr</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">o</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">jan.</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hegesippus documents the </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">martyrdom of Bishop Symeon, </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">(</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">son of Cleopas</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> mentioned </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">in</span><a href="http://www.ibs.org/niv/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Luke+24%3A18&submit=Lookup&display_option=columns&niv=yes" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Luke 24:18</span></a><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">).</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">H</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e was </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">believed to be </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">either a </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">relative</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">disciple, and/or contemporary </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">of Jesus.</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Hegesippus addresses here</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">s</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ies </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">being spread</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> by differing sects, </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">implying he did not focus his </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">research</span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">solely on Biblical </span><span style="color: #990066; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">teachings.</span></li>
</ul></div>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-87966309841670161172011-03-20T20:49:00.008-04:002011-03-20T21:55:35.182-04:00The Historical Jesus<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #006699;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jewish Sources</span></span></h1><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS (37 – 100 A.D.)</span></strong><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/Josephus" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Josephus</span></a> was a first century pharisee and historian of both priestly and royal ancestry who provided important insight into first-century Judaism<em>.</em> Josephus was born only three years after the crucifixion of Jesus, making him a credible witness to the historicity of Jesus.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, </em>if it be lawful to call him a man,<em> for he was a doer of</em></div><em><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><em>wonderful works, a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew over to him both many of the Jews and many of the Gentiles.</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"> He was the Christ,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><em> and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him. </em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">For he appeared to them alive again the third day. As the divine prophets had foretold these and ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><em> And the tribes of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.”</em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext01/taofj10.txt" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">Antiquities</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext01/taofj10.txt" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> XVIII, 3:2</span></a></span></div></em></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Could this passage have been altered or interpolated by early Christian authors?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Some think this passage is a complete interpolation while some believe the passage is authentic. However, the general consensus among scholars is that Josephus most likely made some sort of mention to Jesus but that the original text became distorted over time. </span></div></div><div id="e29"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;"><u>ARGUMENTS FOR AUTHENTICITY</u></span></strong></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">1: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">The vocabulary found in the </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Testimonium</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">consistent with the vocabulary used in other </span><span style="color: #993300;">passages in </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Antiquities</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">. The phrase </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Now about this </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300;">time</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> is used at the beginning of this passage as well </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">dozens of other passages. It’s also doubtful a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">Christian forger would have referred to Jesus as </span><span style="color: #993300;">simply a</span><em><span style="color: #993300;"> wise man</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> but then go on to assert claims </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">of His divinity. Yet, Josephus uses this word to refer </span><span style="color: #993300;">to many other notable (and purely </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">human</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">) figures. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">Josephus also uses the description of Jesus’ </span><span style="color: #993300;">miracles as </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">wonderful </span></em><span style="color: #993300;">[astonishing, surprising]</span><em><span style="color: #993300;">works</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">. </span><span style="color: #993300;">Lastly, Josephus refers to Christianity as a</span><em><span style="color: #993300;">tribe</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">- just </span><span style="color: #993300;">like he does many other times in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">reference to both </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">major and minor sects.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">2: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Once the disputed words (printed in regular font in the above passage) are removed, Josephus’ thought process flows just as well. This lends credence to the possibility the passage wasn’t wholly interpolated but perhaps altered. When we omit the disputed words, the passage seems consistent with what an orthodox Jew would say concerning Jesus:</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">“Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man,</span></em></div><em></em><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">for he was a doer of wonderful works, a teacher of</span></em></span></em></div><em><span style="color: #993300;"></span></em><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He</span></em></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">drew over to him both many of the Jews and many</span></em></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">of the Gentiles. And when Pilate, at the suggestion</span></em></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">of the principal men among us, had condemned him</span></em></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not</span></em></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">forsake him. And the tribes of Christians so named</span></em></span></span></em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><em><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-style: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">from him are not extinct at this day.”</span></em></span></span></em></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em></em><strong><span style="color: #993300;">3: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Greek and Arabic translations of the </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Testimonium</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> </span><span style="color: #993300;">contain disclaimers preceding the </span><span style="color: #993300;">suspicious declarations </span><span style="color: #993300;">such as “</span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Jesus who </span></em><strong><em><span style="color: #993300;">was </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #993300;">believed </span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #993300;">to be the Christ” </span></em><span style="color: #993300;">and </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">“</span></em><strong><em><span style="color: #993300;">It has been </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #993300;">reported </span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #993300;">that He appeared to them alive </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300;">again on </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300;">the third day.”</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> If anything, this could lead to the </span><span style="color: #993300;">speculation that Christian authors did not </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">add</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> to the </span><span style="color: #993300;">text but edited it by </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">deleting</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> the disclaimers!</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">4: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">The earliest versions of</span><em><span style="color: #993300;"> Antiquities</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> contain the passage as it is presented above. </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Objection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">The</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300;"> earliest surviving copy dates from 10th century A.D. (plenty of time from the publication of </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Antiquities</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300;">to alter or interpolate the passage). </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> This is true. We do not have an extant </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">copy of Antiquities dating from before 10th century </span><span style="color: #993300;">A.D. What we </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">do</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> have however, is several citations </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">of this passage by other authors prior to the 10th </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">century).</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">5: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Many defenders of the </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Testimonium’s </span></em><span style="color: #993300;">authenticity speculate that if it had been wholly interpolated by a Christian, they most likely would have inserted the passage next to the John the Baptist references. Though I understand their reasoning, I feel this argument is based on conjecture instead of evidence. The alleged Christian forger could have had just as much reason to insert this passage next to the John passage, the Pilate passage, or the James passage.</span></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;"><u>ARGUMENTS AGAINST AUTHENTICITY</u></span></strong></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">1: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">This passage seems to interrupt the continuity of Josephus’ thought process in the previous and subsequent verses.</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Interruptions are frequently found in Josephus’ works since he composed his histories during different sittings. Furthermore, Josephus was known to use the assistance of scribes during his writings which could easily resolve this issue.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">2: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">The passage contains proclamations an orthodox Jew would not make such as Jesus being the Christ.</span></div><strong></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;">In other translations (Greek and Arabic) the suspicious statements contain disclaimers such </span></span></strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;">as “</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">Jesus who </span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong><em><span style="color: #993300;">was believed </span></em></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">to be the Christ” </span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;">and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">“</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong><em><span style="color: #993300;">It has been reported</span></em></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">…” </span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;">This presents the theory </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">Josephus was recording the beliefs regarding Jesus and not necessarily his personal opinion (as a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;">responsible historian </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">should</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"> do).</span></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">3: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Early Christian authors like Origen and Justin Martyr do not mention this passage in their writings.</span></div><strong></strong><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: N</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;">ot sure what the motive is behind this objection because Origen </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">does</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;"> reference the other passage by Josephus yet critics claim the reference is</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;"> “too late” </span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;">to be reliable. But, for argument’s sake if we assume this passage did exist in the form most scholars believe it did, the early church fathers might not have felt the need to refer to it. The [original?] passage serves as evidence for the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">historicity</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;"> of Jesus- a topic not hotly debated at this </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">point as the burden of proof revolved around His </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">divinity</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;">. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Objection:</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;"> Origen attests to the historicity </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;">of John the Baptist in his work </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">Contra Celsus</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;"> when it </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;">wasn’t even being debated. He </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">could</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;"> have cited this </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;">passage too. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;">In Origen’s </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">Contra Celsus</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;"> the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">divinity</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;"> of Jesus was being debated-</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;"> not</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;"> his </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">existence. Though Josephus allegedly admits to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">Jesus performing miracles, he does not state how. It </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">would have made no sense for Origen to cite the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">Testimonium</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;"> since it doesn’t either dispute or </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">confirm Celsus’ claims. Furthermore, even if the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;">original </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">Antiquities</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #993300;"> still existed in Josephus’ own </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">handwriting, critics would say he either drew his </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">information from Christian sources or was to late to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;">be considered reliable!</span></span></strong></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">4: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Josephus’ </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Jewish Wars</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> also contains this passage so it must be a forgery.</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">This is false- the</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300;"></span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Testimonium</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> is not found in the </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Jewish Wars</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">. To the contrary- Skeptics criticize that the </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Testimonium</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> is</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300;"></span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">not</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> found in </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">The Wars</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> but </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">should</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> have been!</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">5: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Josephus should have written more regarding Jesus if the passage was genuine. </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> What topic or how much an author writes about a topic is their prerogative. Also, since Josephus believed Jesus was just another messianic pretender and false prophet, it would have made little sense for Josephus to have written volumes concerning His life and actions. It would be similar to a modern a Christian author exhaustively recording the life of Jim Jones or David Koresh. Josephus most likely held Jesus in the same regard and felt he warranted little mention.</span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“So</em> [Ananus]<em> assembled a council of judges, and brought before it the brother of Jesus, the so-called Christ, </em><em>whose name was James, together with some others, and having accused them as lawbreakers, he delivered </em><em>them over to be stoned.”</em><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext01/taofj10.txt" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> Antiquities</span></a><span style="color: #006699; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext01/taofj10.txt" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> XX 9:1</a></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Is it possible this passage was interpolated by early Christians? </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> It must be noted that no copy of </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Antiquities</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> has ever surfaced without the above text quoted as it is above. Critics are suspicious of the </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">so-called Christ</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> statement yet this reference (rather than </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">the</span></strong><em><span style="color: #993300;"> Christ</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">) shows</span></div><span style="color: #993300;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;">Josephus was not </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">condoning</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"> the belief but simply </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">documenting</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"> it. Also, this passage concerns the actions of the priest Ananus- Jesus and James were not even the primary focus of this verse! Lastly, this passage is cited in other early works which attests to its authenticity.</span></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Even if we dismiss the disputed words in Josephus’ <em>Testimonium</em>, we still see he testifies to a number of things in the above two passages:</div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">l</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ived</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> in the first century</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He performed wonderful works (miracles)</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Some believed Jesus to be the Christ</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He was a teacher</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He had many followers</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He was tried by Pilate</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He was crucified</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He was the founder of Christianity</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">James was the brother of Jesus</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">THE BABYLONIAN TALMUD</span></strong> The Babylonian Talmud is an ancient record of Jewish history, laws, and rabbinic teachings compiled throughout the centuries. Though it does not accept the divinity of Jesus, it confirms the belief He was hanged (an idiom for crucifixion) on the eve of the Passover.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em>“On the eve of the Passover Yeshu </em>(Jesus) [Some texts: Yeshu/Jesus the Nazarene]<em> was hanged</em> [crucified]<em>. Forty days before the execution, a herald went forth and cried, ‘He is going forth to be stoned because he has practiced sorcery and enticed Israel to apostasy. Any one who can say anything in his favor, let him come forward and plead on his behalf.’ But since nothing was brought forward in his favor he was hanged on the eve of the Passover.”</em></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em></em><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> How can we know the Talmud is documenting Jesus’ existence and not only stating the rumor surrounding a myth?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> In the above excerpt the Talmud mentions Jesus’ ability to perform miracles but tries to dismiss it as sorcery. If the writers were simply refuting myth, they would most likely have dismissed the tale as a rumor- not assign alternative theories to defend their position.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">How can we know this passage is a reference to Jesus and not another individual with the name Yeshu?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Though it is </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">possible</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> this passage could refer to another individual, we know Jesus was killed during the Passover, we know He was crucified (a Jewish idiom for</span><em><span style="color: #993300;"> hanged</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">), we know He was accused of practicing sorcery by the pharisees (for His miracles), and He was ultimately arrested for the sin of blasphemy (enticing Israel to apostasy). Furthermore, there are other translations which read </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Yeshu the Nazarene</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> which give us even more reason to believe this passage pertains to Jesus.</span></div>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-11372844312065423752011-03-19T20:48:00.002-04:002011-03-20T21:28:40.198-04:00The Historical Jesus<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #006699;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Secular Commentary</span></span></h1><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">CELSUS (~ 178 A.D.)</span></strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celsus" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> Celsus</span></a> was a second century Roman author and avid opponent of Christianity. He went to great lengths to disprove the divinity of Jesus yet never denied His actual existence. Celsus sets himself up for criticism by mimicking the exact accusations brought against Jesus by the pharisees which had already been addressed and refuted in the New Testament. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>On Jesus’ Miracles: </strong><em>“Jesus, on account of his poverty, was hired out to go to Egypt. While there he acquired certain </em>[magical]<em> powers… He returned home highly elated at possessing these powers, and on the strength of them gave himself out to be a god… It was by means of sorcery that He was able to accomplish the wonders which He performed… Let us believe that these cures, or the resurrection, or the feeding of a multitude with a few loaves… These are nothing more than the tricks of jugglers… It is by the names of certain demons, and by the use of incantations, that the Christians appear to be possessed of </em>[miraculous]<em> power…”</em></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>On the Virgin Birth: </strong><em>“Jesus had come from a village in Judea, and was the son of a poor Jewess who gained her living by the work of her hands. His mother had been turned out by her husband, who was a carpenter by trade, on being convicted of adultery [with a Roman soldier named Panthera]. Being thus driven away by her husband, and wandering about in disgrace, she gave birth to Jesus, a bastard.”</em></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>On the Apostles: </strong><em>“Jesus gathered around him ten or eleven persons of notorious character… tax-collectors, sailors, and fishermen… [He was] deserted and delivered up by those who had been his associates, who had him for their teacher, and who believed he was the savior and son of the greatest God… Those who were his associates while alive, who listened to his voice, and enjoyed his instructions as their teacher, on seeing him subjected to punishment and death, neither died with nor for him… but denied that they were even his disciples, lest they die along with Him.”</em></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>On Jesus’ Divinity: </strong><em>“One who was a God could neither flee nor be led away a prisoner… What great deeds did Jesus perform as God? Did he put his enemies to shame or bring to an end what was designed against him? No calamity happened even to him who condemned him… Why does he not give some manifestation of his divinity, and free himself from this reproach, and take vengeance upon those who insult both him and his Father?”</em></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>John the Baptist</strong><em> “If any one predicted to us that the Son of God was to visit mankind, he was one of our prophets, and the prophet of our God? John, who baptized Jesus, was a Jew.”</em></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>On the Crucifixion: </strong><em>“Jesus accordingly exhibited after His death only the appearance of wounds received on the </em><em>cross, and was not in reality so wounded as He is described to have been.”</em></div></div><div id="e28"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Celsus also states, </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">“It is clear to me that the writings of the Christians are a lie and that your fables are not well enough constructed to conceal this monstrous fiction.”</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> How do we know Celsus is referring to a </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">historical</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> Jesus and not just debating</span><em><span style="color: #993300;"> myth</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">? </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Evidence which shows Celsus to be refuting aspects of a historical Jesus is as follows:</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">O</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ur </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">answer </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">can</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> b</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> f</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ound</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> in </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Celsus</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">‘</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> own </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">words: </span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He was </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">therefor</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e a </span></em><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">man</span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">, </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">and of </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">such a </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">nature, </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">as the </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">truth </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">itself </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">proves, </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">and </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">reason </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">demonst</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">rates </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">him to </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">be</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">. </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Satisfied</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> with his </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">presenta</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">tion of </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">evidence</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">, Celsus </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">o</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ffers</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> his </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">conclusio</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">n </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">t</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">hat </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">was </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">only</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> a </span><strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">man</span></strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">-</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> not</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> a </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">myth </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">(or</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> a </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">G</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">od</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">,</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> as </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">apostles </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">had </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">claimed</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">)</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Instead </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">of </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">denying </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">lleged </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">events</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">, </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Celsus</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> offers </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">alternati</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ve </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">theories </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">to the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">early </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christian</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> claims</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">l</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ike </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> virgin </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">birth </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">b</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">eing</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> a </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">cover-</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">up </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">for </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">an </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">illegitima</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">te</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> pregnan</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">cy</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> and </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">miracles </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">actually </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">being </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">w</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">orks </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">of</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">sorcery</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">).</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> If he </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">was </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">discussin</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">g a </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">mythical </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">characte</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">r, </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">he </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">would </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">not </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">have </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">needed </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">to </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">g</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">o to </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">such </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">lengths</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> but</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">merely </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">to have </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">dismisse</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">d </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">J</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">esus</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> as a </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">myth</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> After </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">all, </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">t</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">here is </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">no </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">easier </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">way to</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> discredit</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> a</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> religion</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> tha</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">n</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> to </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ssert</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> its</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> f</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ounder</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> never </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">existed! </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Of </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">course, </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">t</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">his is </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">an </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">argumen</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">t Celsus </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">never </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">m</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">akes</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“fables” </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Celsus</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> refers</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> to is his </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">belief </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">that the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">claims </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">such as </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a virgin </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">birth </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">and </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">resurrect</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ion </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">were </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">embellis</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">hments </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">created </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">by </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">early </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christian</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">s</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">- not </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">that </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">was </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Himself </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a myth.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Celsus </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">was </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">debating</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> the</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">claims </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">of</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Jesus’</span><strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> divinity</span></strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">,</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> not </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">H</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">is </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">existenc</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">LUCIAN OF SAMOSATA (120 – ~180 A.D.)</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/Lucian" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> Lucian</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"> was a second century Greek satirist and rhetorician who scornfully describes his views of early Christianity. Though he ridicules the Christians and their Christ, his writings confirm Jesus was executed via crucifixion and that He was the founder of Christianity.</span></span></div><span style="color: #993300;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“The Christians, you know, worship a man to this day- the distinguished personage who introduced their novel rites, and was crucified on that account… It was impressed on them by their original lawgiver that they are all brothers from the moment they are converted and deny the gods of Greece, and worship the crucified sage, and live after his laws…” </em><a href="http://www.suite101.com/course/print_lesson.cfm/18327/1606/3" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">The Death of </span></a><a href="http://www.suite101.com/course/print_lesson.cfm/18327/1606/3" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">Peregrinus</span></a><a href="http://www.suite101.com/course/print_lesson.cfm/18327/1606/3" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> 11-13</span></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>What this passage reveals and how it confirms the Biblical account:</strong></div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus did exist</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus was the founder of Christianity</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus was worshiped by His followers</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">s</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">uffered death by crucifixion</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Can we consider Lucian’s testimony reliable due to the source being a literary work? </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Lucian’s commentary revolved around</span><em><span style="color: #993300;"> historical</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> events. In Lucian’s work </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">The Way to Write History</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">, he openly criticises his contemporaries who distort history to flatter their masters or those who fill in the historical gaps with personal conjecture:</span></div></div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The historian’s one task is to </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">tell the thing as it happened</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">. </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">He may nurse some </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">private </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">dislikes, but he</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">will </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">attach far </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">more importance to </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">the </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">public good, </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">and set the </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">truth high above his hate</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.. </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">For </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">history, I</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">say </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">again, has this </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">and </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">only this for </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">its own</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> I</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">f a </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">man will start upon </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">it, he must </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">sacrifice to no God but</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Truth</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> H</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">e must neglect </span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">all els</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">e</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></em><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">“</span></em><a href="http://www.grtbooks.com/exitfram.asp?idx=3&yr=165&aa=LU&at=WA&ref=lucian&URL=http://users.otenet.gr/%7Eaper/lucian/PosDeiIstorian0.htm" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> The Way to Write </span></em></a><em style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.grtbooks.com/exitfram.asp?idx=3&yr=165&aa=LU&at=WA&ref=lucian&URL=http://users.otenet.gr/%7Eaper/lucian/PosDeiIstorian0.htm" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">History</a></span></em></span></ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Is it possible Lucian received his knowledge from Christian sources or that this passage is an interpolation?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Seeing how adamant Lucian was in regards to historical accuracy and critical investigation, our answer is an emphatic </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">no</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">. As to the passage being a Christian interpolation, chances are the reference to Jesus would be far more favorable if this were so. Lucian refers to Jesus only as a </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">man, a lawgiver, and a sage</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> (human- not divine</span><em><span style="color: #993300;">-</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> descriptions). He never once refers to Jesus as a God. Furthermore, there isn’t anything in the above statement that reveals what wasn’t already known- it merely asserts that Jesus lived, preached, and died. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;">Remember, at this time Christians were trying to prove Jesus’ </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">divinity</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;">- not His existence.</span></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">MARA BAR-SERAPION (Post 70 A.D)</span></strong> Mara Bar-Serapion of Syria penned this letter from prison to his son. Though it is obvious he does not acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, he does mention aspects of Jesus’ life. There is some criticism regarding this passage but it must be noted nothing in Serapion’s letter contradicts what we know about Jesus.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><em>“What advantage did the Athenians gain from putting Socrates to death? Famine and plague came upon them as a judgment for their crime. What advantage did the men of Samos gain from burning Pythagoras? In a moment their land was covered with sand. What advantage did the Jews gain from executing their wise King? It was just after that their kingdom was abolished. God justly avenged these three wise men: The Athenians died of hunger. The Samians were overwhelmed by the sea. The Jews, ruined and driven from their land, live in complete dispersion. But Socrates did not die for good. He lived on in the teachings of Plato. Pythagoras did not die for good. He lived on in the statue of Hera. Nor did the wise King die for good. He lived on in the teaching which He had given.”</em><a href="http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/mara.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> </span></a></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> How do we know this passage is a reference to Jesus? </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">There are several references in this passage which imply Serapion is referring to Jesus:</span></div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He was a </span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">wise King </span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">(Jesus was </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">mocked </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">by the Romans </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">as </span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The King of the Jews</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">, </span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the messianic prophecies</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">fulfilled by Jesus referred to the coming Messiah as a king, Christian believers believed Jesus was their</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">promised spiritual king, and Jesus was born from the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">royal line of King David</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">).</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He was Jewish (Jesus was a </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Galilean Jew).</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He was executed </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">(Jesus was </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">crucified </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">after the Jews appealed </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">to P</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">i</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">late</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> to have Him crucified</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">)</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">After His death Jerusalem </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">and the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Temple were destroyed (</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">This</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> occurred in 70 A.D., </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">after </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus’ </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">death</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">)</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Jews were dispersed </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">after His </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">death (The Jews abandoned </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">J</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">u</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">dea after the Roman attack of 70 A.D.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">).</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He was a teacher (Jesus was a </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">rabbi/teacher).</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">He lived on after </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">death in His </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">teachings (Jesus</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> and His</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> teachings </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">f</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ounded</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> the Christian faith).</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection:</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"> Is it possible Serapion was referring to another person? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;"> Though critics mention other possible candidates, the timing is off as Serapion specifically states </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><em><span style="color: #993300;">just after that their kingdom was abolished</span></em></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span style="color: #993300;">. Only Jesus fits into the appropriate timeline as Titus destroyed Jerusalem a mere 36 years after Jesus’ crucifixion. The others lived approximately 170-250 years prior to the desolation.</span></span></span></div><span style="color: #993300;"> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Didn’t the </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Romans</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> technically kill Jesus, though? </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> </span><span style="color: #993300;">The Jews were under Roman domination which restricted their ability to execute capital punishment. The Jews rallied the Roman government to crucify Jesus for the crime of blasphemy as they did not have the legal power to do so. Even the Bible mentions Pilate’s reluctance to punish an innocent man but that he allowed it to take place to prevent a Jewish revolt in an already hostile environment.</span></div></div></div>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-26195890690374674782011-03-18T20:47:00.000-04:002011-03-20T20:47:28.074-04:00The Historical Jesus<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<h1 class="entry-title" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006699;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Secular Evidence</span></span></h1><div class="entry-content" style="overflow-x: auto; overflow-y: auto;"><div style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">CORNELIUS TACITUS (55 – 120 A.D.)</span></strong><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/Tacitus2" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> Tacitus</span></a> was a 1st and 2nd century Roman historian who lived through<br />
the reigns of over half a dozen Roman emperors. Considered one of the greatest historians of ancient Rome,<br />
Tacitus verifies the Biblical account of Jesus’ execution at the hands of Pontius Pilate who governed Judea from<br />
26-36 A.D. during the reign of Tiberius.</div><div style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em>“Christus, the founder of the </em>[Christian] <em>name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the<br />
reign of Tiberius. But the pernicious superstition, repressed for a time, broke out again, not only through Judea,<br />
where the mischief originated, by through the city of Rome also.” </em><a href="http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0078&layout=&loc=15.44" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">Annals XV, 44</span></a></div><div style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong>What this passage reveals and how it confirms the Biblical account:</strong></div><ul style="color: #333333; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus did exist</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus was the founder of Christianity</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jesus was put to death by Pilate</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christianity originated in Judea (With Jesus)</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christianity later spread to Rome (Through the Apostles and Evangelists)</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
</ul><div style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Could Tacitus have taken his information from Christian sources?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Because of his position as a professional historian and not as a commentator, it is more likely Tacitus<br />
referenced government records over Christian testimony. It is also possible Tacitus received some of his<br />
information from his friend and fellow secular historian, Pliny the Younger. Yet, even </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">if</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Tacitus referenced some<br />
of Pliny’s sources, it would be out of his character to have done so without critical investigation. An example of<br />
Tacitus criticising testimony given to him even from his dear friend Pliny is found here:</span><a href="http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0078&layout=&loc=15.53" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> Annals </span></a><a href="http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0078&layout=&loc=15.53" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">XV, 55</span></a><span style="color: #993300;">. Tacitus<br />
distinguishes between confirmed and hearsay accounts almost</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;"> 70 times</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> in his </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">History</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">. If he felt this account of<br />
Jesus was only a rumor or folklore, he would have issued his usual disclaimer that this account was unverified.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Could this passage have been a Christian interpolation?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Judging by the critical undertones of the passage, this is highly unlikely. Tacitus refers to Christianity as<br />
a </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">superstition</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> and insuppressible </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">mischief</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">. Furthermore, there is not a surviving copy of Tacitus’ </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Annals</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> that does</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">not</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> contain this passage. There is no verifiable evidence of tampering of any kind in this passage.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Why is this passage not quoted by the early church fathers?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Due to the condescending nature of Tacitus’ testimony, early Christian authors most likely would not<br />
have quoted such a source (assuming Tacitus’ writings were even available to them). However, our actual<br />
answer comes from the content of the passage itself. Nothing in Tacitus’ statement mentions anything that was<br />
not already common knowledge among Christians. It simply provides evidence of Jesus’ existence (a topic not<br />
debated at this point in history) and not his divinity.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Does the incorrect use of title</span><em><span style="color: #993300;"> procurator</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> instead of </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">prefect</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> negate Tacitus’ reliability?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">No. Evidence is provided in both secular and Christian works which refer to Pilate as a procurator:</span></div><ul style="color: #333333; list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“But</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> now Pilate, the </span><strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">procurator</span></strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> of Judea…</span><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/josephus/ant-18.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Antiquities XVIII, </span></a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/josephus/ant-18.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">3:</span></a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/josephus/ant-18.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">1</span></a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/josephus/ant-18.htm" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></a></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“Now Pilate, who was sent as </span><strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">procurator</span></strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> into Judea by Tiberius…” </span><a href="http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/text/josephus/war2.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The </span></a><a href="http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/text/josephus/war2.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jewish Wars, Book II 9:2</span></a><a href="http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/text/josephus/war2.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></a></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Pontius Pilate, </span><strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">procurator</span></strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> of </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Judea</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">, in the times of Tiberius Caesar…” </span><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">First Apology XI</span></a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">I</span></a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></a></li>
</ul><div style="color: #333333; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300;">It has been suggested by both Christian and secular scholars that Tacitus was either using an anachronism for<br />
the sake of clarity or, since Judea was a relatively new and insignificant Roman province, Pilate might have held<br />
both positions.</span></div><div id="e26" style="color: #333333;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">GAIUS SUETONIUS TRANQUILLUS (69 – 130 A.D.)</span></strong><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/Suetoniu" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> Suetonius</span></a> was a prominent Roman historian who recorded<br />
the lives of the Roman Caesars and the historical events surrounding their reigns. He served as a court official<br />
under Hadrian and as an annalist for the Imperial House. Suetonius records the expulsion of the Christian Jews<br />
from Rome (mentioned in <a href="http://www.ibs.org/niv/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Acts+18%3A2&submit=Lookup&display_option=columns&niv=yes" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">Acts </span></a><a href="http://www.ibs.org/niv/passagesearch.php?passage_request=Acts+18%3A2&submit=Lookup&display_option=columns&niv=yes" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">18:2</span></a>) and confirms the Christian faith being founded by Christ.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em>“As the Jews were making constant disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, </em>[Claudius]<em> expelled them from<br />
Rome.” </em><a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/suet-claudius-rolfe.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Life of Claudius 25.4</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Because Suetonius misspells </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Christus</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> as </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Chrestus</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">, is it possible he was referring to<br />
someone else?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;"> Because</span><em><span style="color: #993300;"> Chrestus</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> was an actual Greek name, critics speculate Suetonius may have been referring to a<br />
specific civil agitator. I would like to present a few arguments as to why I feel this is a reference to Jesus. In<br />
order to get as close to the author’s intent as possible, this is the passage as it exists in the original Latin:</span></div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Iudaeos</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The Jews</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">)</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> impulsore</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the instigation</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">)</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Chresto</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chrestus</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">)</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> assidue</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">upon</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">)</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> tumultuantis</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">(</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">making a disturbance</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">)</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Roma</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Rome</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">)</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> expulit</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">were </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">xpelled</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">).”</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></ul><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Suetonius seems to imply the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">word </span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chrestu</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">s</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> as a title- not as a reference </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">to a </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">p</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">articular</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> rebel.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Though I</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">have seen critics </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">c</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ite</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">passag</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">as “</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a </span></em><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">certain/one</span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Chrestus</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> we can see this is </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">incorrect by </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">t</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">he lack of</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">w</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ord </span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">quodam</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> in the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">original Latin.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Suetonius uses the word </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">instigation</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">- not </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">instigator</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">. The </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Latin word</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> referring</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> to </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">an instigator</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> is</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> impulsor</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> but</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the term </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">referring</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> to an </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">instigation is</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> impusor</span></em><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e</span></em></strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">- and this is the word Suetonius uses, </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">thus </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">affirming</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> t</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">he</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">belief he </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">is using the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">w</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ord</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Chrestus</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> as a title</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> and not as a name</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">It was common for both pagan </span><strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">and</span></strong><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Christian authors </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">t</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">o spell the name </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">using either an</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> e</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> or an </span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">i</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">- </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">and we</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">know the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christian </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">uthors</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> were </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">obviously </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">referring to Jesus when they spelled the name </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">as </span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chrestus</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Tertullian criticises pagan disdain for Christianity </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">nd points out the fact</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> they can’t even </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">spell the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">name</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">correctly</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">. He implies </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> common</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> misspel</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ling </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">o</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">f</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Chrestus</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> b</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">y their use of the term </span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chrestians</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">:</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> “</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">M</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ost</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">people so </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">blindly knock </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">their heads against the </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">hatred </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">of the </span></em><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christian </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">name</span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">…</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">I</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">t </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">is </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">wrongly pronounced</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">by you</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> as</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> “</span></em><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chrestians</span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">” (for </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">you do not even </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">know </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">accurately the </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">name </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">you </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">hate)… But the </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">special</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ground of </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">dislike to the </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">sect is, </span></em><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">that it bears the name of its </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Founder</span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“</span></em><a href="http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/tertullian01.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Apology, Chapter III</span></a><a href="http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/tertullian01.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">W</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">also </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">see Justin Martyr (a </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">C</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">hristian apologist</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">, nonetheless!</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">) </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">using the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">incorrect spelling </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">o</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">f</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Chr</span></em><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e</span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">stia</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">n</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">First Apology I</span></a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">V</span></a><a href="http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-firstapology.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Lactantius repeats the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">lament of Tertullian with his statement</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">,</span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> “</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">But the </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">meaning of this name </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">must be set</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">forth, on account of the </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">error of </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ignorant who by the change of a letter are </span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">accustomed to call Him</span></em><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chr</span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e</span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">stus</span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span></em><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">” </span></em><a href="http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf07.iii.ii.iv.vii.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Fathers of the Third and Fourth Centuries</span></em></a><a href="http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf07.iii.ii.iv.vii.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: #006699; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></em></a></li>
<li style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Chrestus</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> was a </span><em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Greco-Roman slave</span></em><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> name but Suetonius tells us </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">“foreigners” were not allowed to </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">adopt</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">such names. Knowing the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Jews were </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">a close-knit community</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">,</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> the idea of them following the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">revolt of a</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">g</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">entile slave</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> to such an extent to get them</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (and only </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">them!) expelled from </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Rome is </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">quite a stretch.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
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</ol><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">How could this passage refer to Jesus. He was never said to have travelled to Rome.</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">If </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Chrestus</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> does refer to a title and not a specific name (as we are asserting), there is no need for Him<br />
to have been in Rome. A leader can still be “an instigator” for a cause without being in the vicinity. There are<br />
many causes that survived long after the lives of those who initiated certain movements.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">THALLUS (~ 52 A.D.) </span></strong>Although his works exist only in fragments, Julius Africanus debates Thallus’ explanation<br />
of the midday darkness which occurred during the Passover of Jesus’ crucifixion. Thallus tries to dismiss the<br />
darkness as a natural occurrence (a solar eclipse) but Africanus argues (and any astronomer can confirm) a<br />
solar eclipse cannot physically occur during a full moon due to the alignment of the planets. Phlegon of Tralles, a<br />
2nd century secular historian, also mentions the darkness and tries to dismiss it as a solar eclipse. He also states<br />
the event occurred during the time of Tiberius Caesar.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em>“On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness. The rocks were rent by an earthquake and many<br />
places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his History,<br />
calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. For the Hebrews celebrate the passover on the<br />
14th day according to the moon, and the passion of our Savior falls on the day before the passover. But an<br />
eclipse of the sun takes place only when the moon comes under the sun. And it cannot happen at any other<br />
time… Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from<br />
the sixth hour to the ninth-manifestly that one of which we speak. </em><a href="http://www.ccel.org/fathers2/ANF-06/anf06-50.htm#P2367_668991" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Chronography XVIII, 47</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Why doesn’t Pliny the Elder or Seneca mention this event in their writings?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer:</span></strong><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/PlinyEld" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> Pliny</span></a><span style="color: #993300;"> focused his writings on </span><em><span style="color: #993300;">natural</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> astronomical events that had physical, scientific explanations. It is<br />
doubtful he would have found it necessary to record an event of supernatural origin. I can also find no mention of<br />
him being in Judea at the time so it is doubtful he would have mentioned it if he did not witness the event first<br />
hand. </span><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/columbia/SenecaY" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">Seneca</span></a><span style="color: #993300;"> focused his writings on dramas, dialogues, and tragedies but also wrote a meteorological </span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">essay</span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">,</span><em><span style="color: #993300;">Natural Questions</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">, composed of theories pertaining to ancient cosmology. However this was by no means a<br />
complete scientific almanac of events- it was a</span><em><span style="color: #993300;"> literary</span></em><span style="color: #993300;"> work. And like Pliny, it is doubtful Seneca was in Judea<br />
during this event.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Because Thallus’ and Phlegon’s works exist only in fragments, can their testimonies be<br />
considered reliable?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">This is something the reader will have to determine on their own. Africanus was an honest, qualified<br />
author who did not alter the quotes to serve his own purpose. This is very likely considering what we know about<br />
Africanus (See: </span><a href="http://www.christian-thinktank.com/jrthal.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">here</span></a><span style="color: #993300;">). Africanus’ methods were highly respected by his peers, he was often quoted by other<br />
authors, and he even chastises his friend and fellow Christian, Origen, for citing information from a<br />
spurious/unreliable source! (See: </span><a href="http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/origen-africanus1.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Africanus’ letter</a><a href="http://earlychristianwritings.com/text/origen-africanus1.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> to Origen</a><span style="color: #993300;">). It also must be noted that Thallus never said this<br />
eclipse did not happen but instead was trying to actually come up with a scientific explanation to the eclipse<br />
instead of assigning it divine origins.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #006699;">PLINY THE YOUNGER (63 – 113 A.D)</span></strong><a href="http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Pliny_the_Younger" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;"> Pliny the Younger</span></a> admits to torturing and executing Christians who<br />
refused to deny Christ. Those who denied the charges were spared and ordered to exalt the Roman gods and<br />
curse the name of Christ. Pliny addresses his concerns to Emperor Trajan that too many citizens were being<br />
killed for their refusal to deny their faith.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em>“I asked them directly if they were Christians…those who persisted, I ordered away… Those who denied they<br />
were or ever had been Christians…worshiped both your image and the images of the gods and cursed Christ.<br />
They used to gather on a stated day before dawn and sing to Christ as if he were a god… All the more I believed<br />
it necessary to find out what was the truth from two servant maids, which were called deaconesses, by means of<br />
torture. Nothing more did I find than a disgusting, fanatical superstition. Therefore I stopped the examination,<br />
and hastened to consult you…on account of the number of people endangered. For many of all ages, all classes,<br />
and both sexes already are brought into danger…” </em><a href="http://www.tyrannus.com/pliny_let.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">Pliny’s </span></a><a href="http://www.tyrannus.com/pliny_let.html" style="color: #2255aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #006699;">letter to Emperor Trajan</span></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Though Pliny states some of the accused denied the charges, a recurring theme in the correspondence between<br />
Pliny and Trajan is the willingness of the true believer to die for Christ. This would hardly be reasonable if they<br />
knew He never existed!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">How does dying for one’s belief verify the actual existence of Jesus? The sincerity of a<br />
belief does not necessarily make the belief true. How does this passage specifically confirm a historical Jesus and<br />
not just the existence of Christians in Rome?</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Pliny states the Christians worshiped Christ</span><strong><em><span style="color: #993300;"> as if</span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #993300;"> he were a god</span></em><span style="color: #993300;">. This indicates one who would not<br />
normally be considered a god, such as a human who was exalted to divine status. Also, the early Christians<br />
would have been in the position to know if Jesus was a historical figure or not. Though critics can claim these<br />
martyrs took Jesus’ existence solely on faith, common sense tells us there would have been a lot more evidence<br />
of a historical Jesus at this time than what has been preserved until today. According to early historians, Jesus’<br />
great-nephews and other relatives were still alive as well as the associates of the original apostles. Such<br />
individuals could easily verify His existence. Also, documents which have been lost to us were still in existence<br />
(such as Jesus’ trial records and the census records of His birth) and were even referenced by early authors who<br />
wrote about Jesus. These individuals had every reason to be certain of Jesus’ existence and were willing to die<br />
because of it.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Skeptic Interjection: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">Pliny also states some recanted their testimony. Perhaps they did so because they knew<br />
Jesus was a myth.</span><strong><span style="color: #993300;">Answer: </span></strong><span style="color: #993300;">There are several rational explanations as to why some would recant their Christian beliefs:</span></div><ul style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 15px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Pliny readily admits to torturing some of the accused (are </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">admissions</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">/</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">denials really credible </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">under</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">torture!?)</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">T</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">h</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">e accused knew if they</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> did not recant they would be put to </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">death (fallible</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> human </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">rationalization:</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> confess</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">and go home [and </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">work </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">out the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">hard feelings</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> with Jesus later] or</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> suffer </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">crucifixion?)</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Some of the accused could have been </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">lackadaisical</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> Christians </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">who half-heartedly accepted </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christianity</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">because of a spouse, </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">parent, </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">or </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">friend</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> (and would have had no problem reverting </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">back </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">to paganism </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">u</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">pon</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">facing</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> persecution).</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> T</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">here were half-hearted </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christians 2,000 </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">years ago </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">just like there are half-hearted</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christians today.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">New Christians</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> may have recanted to escape persecution if they </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">were not </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">familiar with or </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">did not</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">understand </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the severity of Jesus’ </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">warning</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> regarding </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">those who deny</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> their Christian beliefs</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">).</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">The correspondence between </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Pliny and Trajan implies many of </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the accused were being turned in </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">falsely</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">by their enemies. </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">S</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ome </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">were never </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Christians to begin with </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">while </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">some </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">h</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ad</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> alrea</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">dy </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">left </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">faith prior to</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">their </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">interrogation.</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></li>
<li style="list-style-type: square; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">Just because there were some who may have recanted out of </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">fear or poor judgment doesn’t </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">dismiss the</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">deaths of </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">the </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">other </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">individuals </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">who </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">were </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">certain</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;"> of Jesus’ existence </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">and </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">d</span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">ied because </span><span style="color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: xx-small;">of their knowledge</span></li>
</ul></div></div>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-66146088349549599702011-03-17T22:16:00.004-04:002011-03-18T10:27:02.502-04:00My Generation<div style="text-align: justify;">I was thinking about the Keller video we watched last night before breaking off into small groups. Keller speaks with 6 people mostly in their 20's and 30's. Most of them are not believers, all of them are highly intelligent, and they are a part of my generation. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If you came up in the 70's 80's and 90's, then independence, individualism, and your right to happiness were the goals set on the top of your list. You may have watched 'Free to Be You and Me' every year through middle school, like I did. You know, the movie with Marlo Thomas and her uber liberal friends like Alan Alda, Rosey Grier, and Tommy Strohers sang songs encouraging us kids to break free from and stereotypical gender confines. The movie did it's best to encourage boys to cry and play with dolls...and do whatever made us feel individualistic and happy, despite typical and historical norms. It was more than a feel good movie that encouraged self esteem, I understand now that there was a subversive indoctrination going on there. It encouraged the message popularized decades later by a product of the Free to Be generation, Ben Harper.</div><br />
Harper sings this in his song Burn One Down:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">my choice is what I choose to do<br />
and if I'm causing no harm<br />
it shouldn't bother you<br />
your choice is who you choose to be<br />
and if your causin' no harm<br />
then you're alright with me</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This mantra completely sums up the only creed I knew to adhere to for the first couple decades of my life. I didn't dare have a contrary opinion as to someone's behavior, because that may have made me intolerant or bigoted in some way. Those things were labels that needed to be avoided at all costs. So as long as it didn't hurt anyone else, I supported any lifestyle choice. And the Harper creed certainly let me off the hook for many of my own behavioral issues too. It worked out well for me, for a while.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But back to last night. I'm watching the video of Keller's small group. And it's gotten so bad, that half of the dialogue is slowed by all these intelligent young professionals asking each other what they mean by the word they chose. What do you mean by evil? What do you mean by truth? How are we defining suffering? My generation has slid so far, that everyone has begun using their own individual sense of rational instinct to determine reality, and the meaning of language. No one knows for sure what the other person is saying, even though they're all speaking english. The teaching of my generation was so insistent upon pluralism, that no one can even make sense to one another anymore.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And if that isn't a modern version of the Tower of Babel, I don't know what is! If you decide you know best, and treat yourself like a God, pretty soon you won't be able to understand any one else around you.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Good Night All.</span></div>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-77243033314445911132011-03-17T10:36:00.001-04:002011-03-17T10:36:11.400-04:00The Well Reason For God StudyWe had a great chat last night on Chapter Two, why does God allow such horrible suffering? Why doesn't he do away with evil? Some interesting points that arose:<br /><br />1) Does evil exist and if not, is suffering simply a part of life? Maybe suffering isn't bad per se, maybe it just is. Can God exist if evil does not?<br />2) Christianity is the only world religion that has an interpersonal God who bore the same suffering that we do...and worse. This is a source of comfort.<br />3) Besides simply being a source of comfort, the cross has a deeper meaning. We all deserve that punishment. We all fall far short of the glory of God. Christ took the punishment for us, and by doing so has placed a cloak of righteousness over us so that we can be in right relationship with God.<br />4) If evil does exist, and God wanted to wipe it out completely, wouldn't he have to wipe out all of us too? If evil doesn't exist, but God does, and he wanted to wipe out suffering completely...wouldn't he have to get rid of all those who cause suffering? Wo would be left?<br /><br />I think it was a good talk and I hope our small group got something out of it. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Java%20Divine&z=10'>Java Divine</a></p>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-8405942708929642672011-03-15T20:08:00.000-04:002011-03-15T20:08:54.803-04:00This Is What Happens When Cater To Modernism<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vg-qgmJ7nzA?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vg-qgmJ7nzA?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #40464b; font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">Martin Bashir is a reporter impatient with evasive answers. He even quotes from <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevindeyoung/2011/03/14/rob-bell-love-wins-review/" style="color: #961402; cursor: pointer; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: underline;">Kevin DeYoung’s review</a> and asks Rob Bell to respond. Bashir gives his own take on Bell’s book: “You’re creating a Christian message that’s warm, kind, and popular for contemporary culture. . . . What you’ve done is you’re amending the gospel, the Christian message, so that it’s palatable to contemporary people who find, for example, the idea of hell and heaven very difficult to stomach. So here comes Rob Bell, he’s made a Christian gospel for you, and it’s perfectly palatable, it’s much easier to swallow. That’s what you’ve done, haven’t you?”</span>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-56686160187755175392011-03-14T21:45:00.000-04:002011-03-14T21:45:59.918-04:00Travelling For Work<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I've been all over North Carolina the past couple days. I find I have to take the Word with me when I travel. It's easy to get lonely and depressed when you miss your family. When I'm lonely, depressed and tired, I tend to want to resort to my old and bad habits. But when I have the Word, I can usually dive in and read for an hour before going to sleep. There is something very powerful about language. Jesus was called the Word. Every word we bring to our lips becomes a living thing, to minister or destroy. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">On Wednesday, I'll be doing an online Lenten study of Luke. I'm excited about it, because I felt like I've needed something to focus on during Lent. I really want to examine my faith during this time. I've been eating vegetarian since Lent started. I've only slipped up once while on the road tro court in the outer banks. My schedule has been so nuts that my prayer time and Bible study time has been sporadic. I hate being out of my routine and comfort zone...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We have week two of the Reason For God study on Wednesday night. It'll be interesting to see how much attrition we suffer after the week off for Ash Wednesday.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well, just a little update. I'm in Charlotte tonight for a domestic violence hearing tomorrow. Much Love.</span></div>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-45637856458926244322011-03-13T21:26:00.000-04:002011-03-14T21:27:13.311-04:00Rock Song - Christian MeaningMumford and Sons - I don't know if you've heard there new album Sigh No More, but it's quite good. I drive a lot for work, so I get some free time to listen to music. It's one of the perks. This album has God all over it. This one in particular harkens to free grace and Christianity.<br />
<br />
Here's one example from 'Roll Away Your Stone'.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Roll away your stone, I’ll roll away mine</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Together we can see what we can find</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Don’t leave me alone at this time,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">For I am afraid of what I will discover inside</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">You told me that I would find a home,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Within the fragile substance of my soul</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">And I have filled this void with things unreal,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">And all the while my character it steals</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">The darkness is a harsh term don’t you think?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">And yet it dominates the things I seek</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">It seems as if all my bridges have been burned,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">You say that’s exactly how this grace thing works</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">It’s not the long walk home that will change this heart,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">But the welcome I receive at the restart</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: tahoma, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br />
</span></span>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-26725456471722864682011-03-12T21:20:00.000-05:002011-03-14T21:26:51.041-04:00Rock Song - Christian Meaning<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm a big fan of Brandi Carlile. She's an amazing talent, both on the guitar and vocally. She's from the pacific north west and openly gay. She's released three albums, all of which are solid listens from front to back. I've seen her live in concert with one of the chics from the indigo girls. Most of the crowd was from the local lesbian community. I was one of maybe 20% male listeners. I often wonder what gay folks think about Christianity. It seems there's not a whole lot of room for an openly gay person in the Christian faith. That's a shame, because we're all sinners. Everyone struggles to live a decent God fearing life, and all come short. I wish there was more room for everyone, or that we could be more loving in our approach at the very least. Anyway, I feel like many of Brandi's songs have clear Christian implications. I think this song could easily be a letter to Christ. Here's one:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I went out looking for the answers</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And never left my town</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm no good at understanding</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But I'm good at standing ground</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And when I asked a corner preacher</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I couldn't hear him for my youth</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some people get religion</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Some people get the truth</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I never get the truth</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I never get the truth</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I know the darkness pulls on you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But it's just a point of view</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When you're outside looking in</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You belong to someone</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And when you feel like giving in</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Or the coming of the end</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Like your heart could break in two</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Someone loves you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am afraid of crossing lines</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am afraid of flying blind</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Afraid of inquiring minds</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Afraid of being left behind</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I close my eyes, I think of you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I take a step, I think of you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I catch my breath, I think of you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I cannot rest, I think of you</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My one and only wrecking ball</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And you're crashing through my walls</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When you're outside looking in</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You belong to someone</span>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5630995761107556479.post-63116791869371376492011-03-11T16:14:00.001-05:002011-03-12T16:20:17.343-05:00Rock Songs - Christian Lyrics<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Since I've come into the faith I've noticed things about songs that never would have dawned me. It seems that everyone's singing about God whether they realize it or not. This song is by Pearl Jam. At first blush it sounds like another love song. But Eddie Vedder has been married for like 20 years, and I don't think he ever wrote love songs anyway. I think Eddie knew what he was doing, and this a song written from the perspective of a dying man meeting God for the first time.</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"Just Breathe"</b><br />
<br />
Yes, I understand that every life must end, uh-huh<br />
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, uh-huh<br />
Oh I'm a lucky man, to count on both hands the ones I love<br />
Some folks just have one, yeah, others, they've got none<br />
<br />
Stay with me...<br />
Let's just breathe...<br />
<br />
Practiced all my sins, never gonna let me win, uh-huh<br />
Under everything, just another human being, uh-huh<br />
I don't wanna hurt, there's so much in this world to make me bleed<br />
<br />
Stay with me<br />
You're all I see...<br />
<br />
Did I say that I need you?<br />
Did I say that I want you?<br />
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see<br />
No one knows this more than me<br />
<br />
As I come clean...<br />
I wonder everyday, as I look upon your face, uh-huh<br />
Everything you gave<br />
And nothing you would save, oh no<br />
<br />
Nothing you would take<br />
Everything you gave...<br />
<br />
Did I say that I need you?<br />
Oh, did I say that I want you?<br />
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see<br />
No one knows this more than me<br />
And I come clean, ah...<br />
<br />
Nothing you would take<br />
Everything you gave<br />
Hold me til I die<br />
Meet you on the other side..</span>Christian Soldierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15174169617059340830noreply@blogger.com0