Day 57: Resurrection Theories Part 1 – Conclusion.

There again seems to be one of these 8 belief systems that rises above all of the others, that again, makes the most sense from an eternal perspective:

Christianity.

The question you then need to ask yourself at this point is this:

Is this enough evidence to convince you or do you still need more?

For those who are still undecided, I would submit to you that there is more….

Beginning with Day 55: Resurrection Theories – Part 1., I presented 8 questions that need to be answered regarding the Swoon Theory, first proposed by H.E.G. Paulus, in 1828. The Swoon Theory, the first of the top 5 theories out there that try to disprove the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, must be now be concluded here.

There are two additional sets of bible verses that I would submit to you that address the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. After reading these verses, there are 4 more questions that need to be asked.

Consider the following in Matthew 28:1-6 KJV:

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. ²And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. ³His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: ⁴And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. ⁵And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. ⁶He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And in Matthew 28:11-15 KJV:

¹¹Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. ¹²And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, ¹³Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. ¹⁴And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. ¹⁵So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

In Matthew 28:4 states that there were ‘keepers’ at the tomb. In Matthew 28:11, ‘some of the watch’ left the tomb to go to the city. In Matthew 28:12 ‘they’ had a conversation with the elders and ‘they gave large money unto the soldiers’. Finally, in Matthew 28:15 states that ‘they took…and did as they were taught.’

In other words, there were at least two or more guards at the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth. So, in order to consider the Swoon Theory presented by H.E.G. Paulus in 1828, the next two questions that need answering would be:

9) How was Jesus, able to move the stone, without alerting the guards?

10) Under what conditions would the guards allow Jesus to leave the tomb in the first place?

Finally, let’s assume that these guards are a part of the Roman Empire. They have been given a task to make sure that the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth is not to be disturbed. It is widely assumed that if they failed in their job, they would pay for it with their lives. If the penalty for failure is death wouldn’t this question need to be asked?

11) Why would the Roman Empire guards, under penalty of death, allow the escape of Jesus from the tomb?

A final question to ask would revolve around this potential scenario:

Instead of Roman Empire guards, let’s assume next that these guards were actually a part of the Jewish community.

Question 12 would then have to be:

12) Why would guards who are part of the Jewish community undermine their own faith by allowing Jesus to escape the tomb?

So, in regarding the events surrounding the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, there are two sources to choose from:

1) The Gospels. Presenting the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, as written in the 4 Gospels in the New Testament in the Holy Bible from the Middle East, over 2,000 years ago, or;

2) The Swoon Theory. Countering the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, from H.E.G. Paulus, a second-hand source, writing from present day Germany, almost 2,000 years after the event happened?

Now, a question for you to consider:

Which set of facts takes more faith to believe in?

The second theory trying to disprove the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth will be covered next time.

Do not feel discouraged if you are still having a difficult time believing in the resurrection of Jesus. Do not feel discouraged if you are still confused if you are unsure as to whether the Gospels or the Swoon Theory makes more sense. Instead, embrace the idea that we have the freedom to research and read and come to our own conclusions.

⁵And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.⁶He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:5-6 KJV)

Was today’s blog a little confusing at times? Was the content perhaps a little overwhelming? Did you feel lost not understanding some or most of the subject matter?

Those feelings are totally understandable and it is ok to have one or more of those feelings. Remember that you are reading Day 57: Resurrection Theories Part 1 – Conclusion.

If you haven’t been in class since the first day of school…or when the project began…or when the contract was first signed, etc., these feelings make perfect and logistical sense.

Please feel free to go back to where all of this began:

Day 1: What Is A Mid-Life Crisis?

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