Posted on 03/25/2002 7:30:44 AM PST by truthandlife
Maybe to those who looking for an excuse not to believe:)
From my understanding it was not a cave, but an alcove that had been carved out. I believe people of means did that back then.
Becky
Becky
To put in my two cents, the New Testament was written by eyewitnesses, who wrote what they saw and heard, including the words of Jesus Christ. This is an historical account of this period of time, in this place. This is also the Word of God. Non-believers might says that "this is a good book, teaches good values" but discount the authenticity of the history; on the contrary, much archeological "proof" has been found to support what is written both the OT and the NT.
Yesterday began Holy Week, the most important time for Christians. In may ways, the Resurrection is the most important event in History, a triumph or life over death, a fulfillment of the OT Scriptures, the salvation of mankind. While Christmas and the incarnation is indeed Holy and a very special and sacred event, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ fills us with hope that we, too, can share in the Kingdom of God, and concur death with eternal life.
Anyway, I just had to throw in my two cents. I hope the non-believers can put aside their doubts for a time, and truly open their hearts. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will touch them and they will know the Truth.
God bless.
Can you offer any proof - besides 2000yr+ old testimony - that:
* Hammurabi compiled a systematic code of law;
* A real man named Socrates inspired generations of Greek thinkers;
* Plato wrote a book named "The Republic" which expressed his dualistic philosophy;
* A young general known as Alexander conquered vast portions of the known world;
* Emporor Caligula grew into a cruel and demented individual;
If the historical record is not enough to prove this fact, then the entire breadth of history is meaningless drivel.
Some answers to your questions can be found in Romans and I Corinthians. There are those that find the whole idea of something that can't be measured or scientifically tested unacceptable. I know I did.
If you are really serious about finding some answers, first ask yourself if you would be willing to submit to God's will, no matter how humbling, if the answers point to a certain direction. If your answer is yes, then Freepmail me, and we can discuss.
So you're saying there's no proof that the Pilgrims fled Europe and landed in Massachussetts.
Or that Thomas Jefferson had any part in writing the Declaration of Independence.
Or that the Federalist Papers have anything to do with what the Founding Fathers intendede the Constitution to mean.
Or that George Washington was the first constitutionaly elected president.
If you believe that Julius Ceaser was assasinated in the Roman Senate March 15, 44 B.C. on three sources, it is intellectually dishonest to doubt Jesus' resurrection on 6 ancient exo Biblical references.
In a sense, you are correct, for faith is the fuel that energizes the believer to work towards the object of their belief.
One can believe without acting upon it. Faith is in evidence only when the believer ACTS upon their belief.
After the laborer receives pay for work completed, it is not necessary to continue to labor for wages already earned. So, upon payment of wages, the laborer no longer is required to believe they will get paid -- having the fruits of their labor (faith) in hand.
One who has received wages has received proof that their labors (faith) were justified, and are henceforth, 'knowers,' -- having passed beyond the 'belief' stage.
It is difficult for one to share 'proof,' but easier to share the fruits.
You'd use the same methods you'd use for judging the validity of any other historical claims / texts.
* Who makes the claim and what is their proximity to the event? The closer one is to the event, the more reliable.
* What incentive / disincentive would there be for someone to be accurate / inaccurate? If someone would probably be killed viciously for making their claims, it's more likely the claims are accurate.
* How many claim witness to the event, and how do their stories harmonize? The greater the number of non-contradictory claims, and the fewer the number of cantradictions, the more likely it is to be valid.
* How many extant versions of the texts/claims exists, in how many languages/translations, from how many geographic regions, with how much difference between the texts? The more widespread the text, and the fewer variations/errors, the more likely it is to be accurate to the original.
Becky
From early days, in fact, which is why the Apostle's Creed states explicitly "I believe ... He was crucified, dead, and buried."
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