Reason does not need to be in conflict with scripture nor Tradition.
What about Saul? Now there is one who was literally persecuting the Christians and Christ after his death changed his name to Paul.
On his ascension, he was taken “up” to heaven in bodily form. The bible records his apostles as witnesses to this happening.
Number of interpretations here but he ate to show his apostles that it was indeed him, in bodily form and not just a spirit or ghost.
He’s saying that one should drop everything … all worldly attachments…he more important than attachment to material goods…more important than family…and follow him…that he is what is most important in life. He’s making a definite point
Daler, so are my answers below correct for what you believe?..
Do you believe that Christ was resurrected? (ANSWER= Yes)
That three days after his resurrection he appeared on earth in bodily form? (ANSWER= No)
And after appearing on earth and spending forty days with his apostles, that he ascended to heaven? (ANSWER = No?
Pork
Porknpie Yes, I do believe that Christ was Resurrected and Lives, independently of the physical body, which I do not believe He needed for further existence. I understand that this is in conflict with common thinking and I understand why that is. Let me take it a step further, please.
For those who believe that he then went “up” into “heaven”, my understanding was quite simple. That He physically in bodily form went up into the sky. That is what I was taught. It makes no sense to me now. “Where” the heck would He have gone? Really?? And are to think He is orbiting some planet or hanging out on Mars or something?
In olden times, there was no understanding of the atmosphere, outer space, etc. The story that was passed on makes it sound like Jesus went into outer space. Because that sounds like somebody pulling my leg, I look for another understanding. One in keeping with the other things mentioned, like entering the room, etc.
During those forty days I also think that His appearances were not His physical body. Thats what I think. When Paul reported seeing Him, he was a believer. Prior to that, he was not.
Although we may view this differently, you do understand, I believe, my point.
On the one hand, we have been taught that we must believe in something very, very supernatural, miraculous, and contrary to the laws of physics and the universe which God Himself set up as “normal” and consistent with His own reality.
What I am proposing is that we look at the entire picture, put the pieces together, the various accounts, along with a long history of human storytelling and myth relating and consider that maybe, just maybe… the truth in these stories is hidden somewhere a little below the surface.
I do realize that requires people to rethink the “apparent” or obvious literal words of the stories of the Gospel in a few places, but it is easier for me to recognize that people are story tellers than to watch Jesus fly around the sky, pop in and out of rooms and such.
I’ve known a lot of people in my 60 years, and one thing I can tell you is that people like to talk. People like to tell stories. And people of 2000 years ago were no different than today. Read the myths of cultures all across the world throughout history. One thing is consistent. They pack a lot meaning into some very fantastic stories. What is contained in the Gospels is consistent with myth telling throughout all of recorded time.
He does not change but he uses his Church on earth that he set up through Jesus Christ to lead people to truth and holiness so that we can share in his divine life forever. He told his first Catholic bishops to go out and preach the good news…we are called as Catholics to do the same today. Nothing has changed in this regards. It’s the Lord’s command.