I myself have read the writings and teachings of the heretics, polluting my soul for a while with their abominable notions, though deriving this benefit: I was able to refute them for myself and loathe them even more. (Eusebius)
Thinking about the musings from Day 64: Resurrection Theories – Part 5.…
I would submit to you that when considering the Conspiracy Theory as a possible option to counter the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, there is still more evidence that must be presented. I would further submit to you that after you finish reading today’s writing regarding this theory, you will be much closer to coming to a conclusion regarding your soul and eternity.
Eusebius of Caesarea is considered ‘the father of church history’. Being the first to write about the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, outside the Gospels and outside the New Testament of the Holy Bible, Eusebius of Caesarea also believed that the resurrection was a…
Conspiracy Theory.
I would submit to you that of the 5 potential complications regarding the Conspiracy Theory covered in Day 64: Resurrection Theories – Part 5., the 5th one stands out the most:
5) The calendar and the dates of these events were in dispute back then.
How exactly would a disputed calendar and dates affect the Conspiracy Theory presented by Eusebius of Caesarea?
Consider the following.
At the time of the writing of the Conspiracy Theory regarding the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, Eusebius of Caesarea was writing almost 3 centuries after the events had taken place. On the surface that may not sound like an issue, however over time, it will become an issue.
In order to understand why we use the calendar that we use today, a brief history of calendars needs to be covered….
The internationally accepted calendar that is used today is known by three names: the Western, Christian and, Gregorian Calendar.
(Going forward, I will refer to this calendar as the Gregorian Calendar).
The Gregorian Calendar was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII of the Catholic Church.
The Gregorian Calendar replaced the Julian Calendar, which was first introduced to the world over 2,000 years ago, (46 BC), by Julius Caesar, ruler of the Roman Empire. Just a few decades later, and lasting for almost 500 years, from 27 BC to 476 AD, the Roman Empire will rule large parts of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, creating the foundation of the Western world that we recognize today.
About a 1,000 years later, when the Catholic Church changes to the calendar in 1582, the Conspiracy Theory brought forth by Eusebius of Caesarea, becomes less clear.
Once the transition from the Gregorian to Julian Calendar began, 3 major flaws appeared:
1) There was a flawed system used to formulate leap years;
2) Days from the Julian Calendar had to be dropped in order to sync back up with the various vernal equinoxes and winter solstices that it did not account for and;
3) Getting all of Christendom and later the rest of the world, to accept the new calendar, took a process of over 300 years.
Now that you have some background regarding Eusebius of Caesarea, and the transition from the Julian to Gregorian Calendar, please consider the following that he wrote claiming that the disciples conspired to lie about the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth:
Let us band together to invent all the miracles and resurrection appearances which we never saw and let us carry the sham even to death! Why not die for nothing? Why dislike torture and whipping inflicted for no good reason? Let us go out to all the nations and overthrow their institutions and denounce their gods! And even if we don’t convince anybody, at least we’ll have the satisfaction of drawing down on ourselves the punishment for our own deceit.
According to the writings of Eusebius of Caesarea, does it sound like that this plan the disciples were creating to lie about the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth…
Was ever going to work?
At the end of the day, how would the disciples be able to conspire to pull off arguably the number one conspiracy theory in the history of mankind?
That will be covered next time.
Do not feel discouraged if you are still having a difficult time believing in the resurrection of Jesus after more information regarding the Conspiracy Theory was introduced. Do not feel discouraged if you are still confused as to the relationship between the change in calendars and the Conspiracy Theory. Instead, embrace the idea that you are coming closer to it all making sense.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. (John 20:8-9 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 65: Resurrection Theories Part 5 – Continued.
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: