St Luke's Church Eccleshill - Articles from "The Link"

Jesus Risen - Fact or Fantasy?

The bible tells us that about 2000 years ago lived a man who upset the religious authorities in his country. So they crucified him. There’s no doubt that this man lived: he is mentioned by Roman historians as well as bible writers.

After his death, his body was laid in a tomb over the Jewish sabbath, and that’s when the strange bit began. By the next morning the body had gone. His followers said they had seen him alive again. More than 5000 people believed them and joined them, and so began the Christian church.

So what really happened?

Maybe the body was stolen by thieves? But hang about - why steal the body and not take the sheet and the spices around it? These would have been much more valuable than the body itself.

Maybe the Jewish authorities took the body for safety? But if they did, why didn’t they produce it again to squash the rumours that he was alive?

Or maybe the disciples removed the body? But would they really be happy to be persecuted and killed for a faith which they knew was false?

Was it really that the disciples were somehow brainwashed or hallucinating or mixed up when they said they saw Jesus? But actually we know they were an ordinary bunch of chaps who knew perfectly well that dead men don’t get up and walk.

Or was it that Jesus never really died, maybe he just fainted, and then later on revived and escaped? But the Roman Soldiers were experts at crucifixion. And the disciples would know if Jesus was a wounded man needing help!

So what really did happen? If one of these other theories is the truth, then the Christian faith is false and the sooner we stop believing the better. But what if Jesus really did rise from the dead? Maybe we ought to listen to him?

John Hartley

	*St Luke's Church, Eccleshill - The Link* magazine** The Link is published monthly at 40p (Senior Citizens 35p), and we deliver free within the parish and post copies (at the reader's expense) to those who request it. Please contact us if you would like a free copy for a trial period. April 2001, Page 1.
Home Page. Index of articles. Vicar's Letters: index, Christmas, Old dog, Purpose, Racism, Jesus risen, World faith. In this issue: (April 2001) Vicar's Letter, Our Father, Question.	Jesus Risen - Fact or Fantasy? The bible tells us that about 2000 years ago lived a man who upset the religious authorities in his country. So they crucified him. There’s no doubt that this man lived: he is mentioned by Roman historians as well as bible writers. After his death, his body was laid in a tomb over the Jewish sabbath, and that’s when the strange bit began. By the next morning the body had gone. His followers said they had seen him alive again. More than 5000 people believed them and joined them, and so began the Christian church. So what really happened? Maybe the body was stolen by thieves? But hang about - why steal the body and not take the sheet and the spices around it? These would have been much more valuable than the body itself. Maybe the Jewish authorities took the body for safety? But if they did, why didn’t they produce it again to squash the rumours that he was alive? Or maybe the disciples removed the body? But would they really be happy to be persecuted and killed for a faith which they knew was false? Was it really that the disciples were somehow brainwashed or hallucinating or mixed up when they said they saw Jesus? But actually we know they were an ordinary bunch of chaps who knew perfectly well that dead men don’t get up and walk. Or was it that Jesus never really died, maybe he just fainted, and then later on revived and escaped? But the Roman Soldiers were experts at crucifixion. And the disciples would know if Jesus was a wounded man needing help! So what really did happen? If one of these other theories is the truth, then the Christian faith is false and the sooner we stop believing the better. But what if Jesus really did rise from the dead? Maybe we ought to listen to him? John Hartley
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