I find the “Explaining Away Jesus’ Resurrection Part 1” pretty good, but as to the idea that the gospels are historical accounts, I’m pretty sure only John claims to have been a first hand witness, the others are all second hand at least. Which leaves us with one source, a source written in 90-100 A.D., 60 years after the events took place, and which is disputed to have actually been written by the Apostle John, though admittedly, these days, everything is disputed.The gospels are historical evidence for the Resurrection. Learn more here:
Authenticity of the Gospels: catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0510clas.asp
Evolution of the Gospels: catholic.com/thisrock/1994/9403fea1.asp
Explaining Away Jesus’ Resurrection Part 1: catholic.com/thisrock/1991/9108dd.asp
Explaining Away Jesus’ Resurrection Part 2: catholic.com/thisrock/1991/9109dd.asp
Explaining Away Jesus’ Resurrection Part 3: catholic.com/thisrock/1991/9110dd.asp
Absolutely, I was just wondering what testimonies we have from people who actually claim to have seen it. The other three Gospels record accounts of something someone else claimed to have seen, only John actually would have been present. For curiosity’s sake, does anyone know of any firsthand source for the Resurrection besides the Gospel of John?As much as a first hand witness may seem more credible I don’t think we should require that all of the authors of the gospels be first hand witnesses.
There are many reliable biographies written by authors who weren’t even alive when their subject was.
The Catholic Church has been in existence for over 2,000 years. What other institution has been around for so long? That IS your historical evidence.I’m going to try to focus on one specific point on this thread. The Resurrection of Jesus. The Resurrection is arguably the most important event in Christianity, if it really occurred. What I ask is, what historical evidence do we have that this event actually occurred? What witnesses testified to have seen this firsthand?
Slavery?The Catholic Church has been in existence for over 2,000 years. What other institution has been around for so long? That IS your historical evidence.
Realized I may not have explained this clearly, but what I meant was, slavery is a perfect example of an institution that lasted for thousands of years without anyone(including Jesus or the Apostles) ever really questioning it.Slavery?
That’s very, very interesting.I find the “Explaining Away Jesus’ Resurrection Part 1” pretty good, but as to the idea that the gospels are historical accounts, I’m pretty sure only John claims to have been a first hand witness, the others are all second hand at least. ** Which leaves us with one source, a source written in 90-100 A.D., 60 years after the events took place, and which is disputed to have actually been written by the Apostle John**, though admittedly, these days, everything is disputed.
Well, Jesus doesn’t “question” things. He knows when they’re wrong. God does not condone slavery - read the Book of Exodus and you’ll see what I mean (Moses, etc.)Realized I may not have explained this clearly, but what I meant was, slavery is a perfect example of an institution that lasted for thousands of years without anyone(including Jesus or the Apostles) ever really questioning it.
Out of curiosity, what do you find most interesting about it? I’d like to here as many opinions as possible about this subject.That’s very, very interesting.
I know that God does not condone slavery, I was simply saying that Jesus and the Apostles never spoke out against it. However, are you saying that any institution that preaches the same thing for 2000 years must be telling the truth? That if it’s been preachedit for 2000 years, it must count as historical evidence?Well, Jesus doesn’t “question” things. He knows when they’re wrong. God does not condone slavery - read the Book of Exodus and you’ll see what I mean (Moses, etc.)
Prostitution has been around longer, too, but that’s not the kind of institution to which I was referring. Slavery and prostitution are societal ills, not institutions. And societal ills have been around since Adam and Eve.
I’m sorry if I sound snippy, but I think you can figure out what I mean when I say “institutions”.
I had thought that 3-4 different people had testified firsthand, and that they were backed up by another dozen or so. I’m not overly familiar with the period that the Gospels were written in.Out of curiosity, what do you find most interesting about it? I’d like to here as many opinions as possible about this subject.
Well, John’s Gospel is the only firsthand source I know of, but there could be others, that was the purpose of this thread, to see if people knew of any other historical sources.I had thought that 3-4 different people had testified firsthand, and that they were backed up by another dozen or so. I’m not overly familiar with the period that the Gospels were written in.
Well I’m sure there are some atheists out there who would call the Catholic Church a societal ill (and maybe some Protestants too).Prostitution has been around longer, too, but that’s not the kind of institution to which I was referring. Slavery and prostitution are societal ills, not institutions. And societal ills have been around since Adam and Eve.
From what I’ve heard, most modern scholars don’t think it was written by John. I think that Paul is the closest thing there is to a firsthand witness to the resurrection.Well, John’s Gospel is the only firsthand source I know of, but there could be others, that was the purpose of this thread, to see if people knew of any other historical sources.
lol and he was the only Apostle that wasn’t a firsthand witness!From what I’ve heard, most modern scholars don’t think it was written by John. I think that Paul is the closest thing there is to a firsthand witness to the resurrection.
how do you know the gospel of john is first-hand? My understanding is that scolarly opinion is that it is not first hand, and it is unknown whether it is second-hand, third-hand, fourth-hand, etc…Well, John’s Gospel is the only firsthand source I know of, but there could be others, that was the purpose of this thread, to see if people knew of any other historical sources.
Yes. The Catholic Church has been successfully preaching the truth of Jesus, unchanged, for 2000 years. Therefore, in my mind, that’s evidence that it is legitimate. Jesus has sustained us for 2000 years by His presence in the Eucharist and the sacraments.I know that God does not condone slavery, I was simply saying that Jesus and the Apostles never spoke out against it. However, are you saying that any institution that preaches the same thing for 2000 years must be telling the truth? That if it’s been preachedit for 2000 years, it must count as historical evidence?