No matter how devastating our struggles, disappointments, and troubles are, they are only temporary. No matter what happens to you, no matter the depth of tragedy or pain you face, no matter how death stalks you and your loved ones, the Resurrection promises you a future of immeasurable good. (Josh McDowell)
Thinking about the musings from Day 60: Resurrection Theories Part 3 – Conclusion…
I would submit to you that after covering the Swoon:
Day 55: Resurrection Theories – Part 1. and;
Day 57: Resurrection Theories Part 1 – Conclusion.;
Hallucination or Vision:
Day 58: Resurrection Theories – Part 2. and;
Stolen Body Theories:
Day 59: Resurrection Theories – Part 3. and;
Day 60: Resurrection Theories – Part 3 – Conclusion.…
all questioning the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, it is clear that some over the centuries have come up with some interesting and creative counter arguments. Determining if one or more of those theories are logical, well that is a decision that you must come to on your own.
There are still two more theories that must be discussed before you can come to a logical conclusion regarding the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. The 4th theory that tries to discredit the Gospels account of the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is the Soldiers Falling Asleep And/Or Bribed Theory.
4) Soldiers Falling Asleep And/Or Bribed Theory. Like the Stolen Body Theory, this theory is perhaps the oldest of them all, dating back to the first century, formulated only decades after the incident in question occurred. Also, like the Stolen Body Theory, the reason for this is simple…
The theory begins in the Gospel of Matthew itself.
The Soldiers Falling Asleep And/Or Bribed Theory seems simple on the surface…The claim is that Jesus Christ’s body was stolen from the tomb that he was buried in. Therefore, when the women investigate the tomb and find no body, the theory states that this is in fact true, because the tomb is in fact…
Empty.
The Soldiers Falling Asleep And/Or Bribed Theory includes a secondary component, the guards at the tomb either fell asleep, were bribed, or both, thus ensuring that the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth never happened.
Like the Stolen Body Theory, the theory continues by claiming that Christians and Jews have been lied to regarding Jesus of Nazareth rising from the dead, as the resurrection was faked due to the soldiers fell asleep, were bribed, or both, and thus were able to deny the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth from ever happening.
Is the Soldiers Falling Asleep And/Or Bribed Theory possible? Does it make logistical sense?
Let’s look at the evidence.
Consider the following, and especially what words I intentionally put italics, in Matthew 28:4 and 28:11-15 (KJV):
“4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.…11 Now 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. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”
Like the Stolen Body Theory, it seems like a no brainer here, doesn’t it?
It appears that Matthew himself is admitting that the guards fell asleep while the body of Jesus of Nazareth disappeared from the tomb. It could be argued then that this theory is even stronger than the Stolen Body Theory based on the evidence presented in both Matthew 28:4 and 28:11-15.
Case closed…right?
I am not so sure about that.
Regarding the Soldiers Falling Asleep And/Or Bribed Theory, I have a few questions for you to consider regarding the sleeping part of this theory. Consider the 2 of the same questions I asked you to think about regarding the Stolen Body Theory from Day 59: Resurrection Theories – Part 3:
1) How much wealth would it take to bribe the multiple guards at the tomb to keep them quiet while the body is removed?
2) How did the disciples acquire this wealth to keep these guards quiet in the first place?
I would submit to you that you re-read 1 Corinthians 15:5-8 (KJV):
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Next, I further submit to you that you re-read Matthew 28:4, 11-15, focusing on the words that are I intentionally put italics:
“4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.…11 Now 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. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. 15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.”
So the next logical question is this:
3) Was there a single guard or were there multiple guards guarding the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth?
Based on the 9 clues presented in italics, from 1 Corinthians 15:5-8, the answer is quite clear:
There was more than one guard.
Are there more questions that need to be considered before determining if the Soldiers Falling Asleep And/Or Bribed Theory is to be considered as a counter argument to the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth?
Yes.
What are those next questions that need to be asked?
They will be covered next time.
Do not feel discouraged if you are still having a difficult time believing in the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Do not feel discouraged if you are still confused if you still have more questions that need to be asked and answered. Instead, embrace the idea that the amount of questions that may be entering your mind regarding all of this are coming with simple solutions to the contrary.
4And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.…11 Now 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. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, 13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. 14 And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (Matthew 28:4, 11-15 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 61: Resurrection Theories Part 4.
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: