Was the Resurrection a literal or metaphorical event?

[Kaninchen]

I find it somewhat interesting that no one has mentioned the conversion of Paul. “Something” had to have happened to make him do a complete 180 literally in a moment. Paul’s Letters are also the oldest Christian writings we have.

What caused his conversion? He claims he saw the resurrected Jesus.

I don’t see any other better explanation for his radical change.

Which would work with people who see the NT as reportage/scripture. For those of us who don’t, such questions and their significance lie in the world of literary criticism (Why does Macbeth … ? Why does Holden Caulfield … ?).

 

[Randy_Carson]

Which would work with people who see the NT as reportage/scripture. For those of us who don’t, such questions and their significance lie in the world of literary criticism (Why does Macbeth … ? Why does Holden Caulfield … ?).

This is why those who don’t need to read more on the subject, because even skeptic Bart Ehrman acknowledges the historical reliability of the gospels. (cf. Did Jesus Exist?, Bart Ehrman)

J. Warner Wallace, a noted cold-case detective and former atheist considered this issue when he was examining the Christian faith. He writes:

As a cold-case detective who examines eyewitness accounts every day, I investigated the accounts in my book, Cold-Case Christianity; A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels. My investigation led me to conclude the New Testament gospels should be considered eyewitness accounts for four reasons:

1. Eyewitness Authority Was Affirmed By the Gospel Authors
The authors of the Gospels proclaimed their authority as eyewitnesses (or as chroniclers of the eyewitnesses), and the earliest believers embraced the traditional authorship of the eyewitnesses. The Gospel authors (and their sources) repeatedly identified themselves as eyewitnesses:

2 Peter 1:16-17
For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.

John 21:24-25
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.

Luke 1:1-4
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

2. Eyewitness Authority Was Confirmed By the First Believers
The early believers and Church Fathers accepted the Gospel accounts as eyewitness documents. Papias, when describing the authorship of the Gospel of Mark, for example, said, “Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately, though not indeed in order, whatsoever he remembered of the things said or done by Christ.” In addition, Papias, Ireneaus, Origen and Jerome affirmed the authorship of Matthew’s Gospel by the tax collector described in the account, written for the Hebrews in his native dialect.

3. Eyewitness Authority Was Foundational to the Growth of the Church
The eyewitness authority of the Apostles was key to the expansion of the early Church. The apostles were unified in the manner in which they proclaimed Christ. They repeatedly identified themselves, first and foremost, as eyewitnesses:

Acts 2:23-24, 32
“This man (Jesus) was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him… God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.”

4. Eyewitness Authority Was Used to Validate New Testament Writings
Even Paul understood the importance of eyewitness authority. He continually referred to his own encounter with Jesus to establish the authenticity of his office and writings. Paul also directed his readers to other eyewitnesses who could corroborate his claims:

1 Corinthians 15:3-8
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.

The Gospels were written as eyewitness accounts within the long and rich evidential tradition of the early Christian community. The early Church placed a high value on the evidence provided by Jesus and the authority of the apostles as eyewitnesses. The Gospels were accepted and affirmed due to their status as eyewitness accounts. This authority was inherent to the Gospels, commissioned by Jesus, affirmed by the Gospel authors, confirmed by the first believers, foundational to the growth of the Church and used to validate the New Testament canon. There are good reasons to accept the gospels as eyewitness accounts.​

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Eyewitness accounts are reportage.

 

[Randy_Carson]

I find it somewhat interesting that no one has mentioned the conversion of Paul. “Something” had to have happened to make him do a complete 180 literally in a moment. Paul’s Letters are also the oldest Christian writings we have.

What caused his conversion? He claims he saw the resurrected Jesus.

I don’t see any other better explanation for his radical change.

That’s Fact #3 in the Five Minimal Facts Approach to Proving the Resurrection.

FACT #3: Paul, the persecutor of the Early Church, was suddenly changed

Scholars who have studied the source materials carefully are overwhelmingly in agreement that Paul, an opponent of the early Church, was suddenly and radically changed.

His opposition to the Church was recorded by Luke:

Acts 8:1-3
And Saul approved of their killing [Stephen]. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

So, what evidence do we have of Paul’s conversion from skeptic and persecutor to believer and evangelist? There are three sources: Paul himself, Luke and the early Church.

1. Paul attests to his conversion experience

In a letter to the believers in Galatia, Paul writes:

Galatians 1:13-24
13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.

From this personal testimony, we can see that Paul went from unbelieving persecutor of Christians to being a Christian himself.

2. Luke records Paul’s conversion story

Luke, the author of Luke-Acts, records the account of Paul’s conversion:

Acts 9:1-19
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

From this passage, we learn of the details of Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus and of Paul’s baptism into the Christian Church.

(cont.)

 

[Randy_Carson]

3. Paul’s opposition to the early Church widely known

Finally, we can see from these accounts that Paul’s opposition to Christianity was widely known.

In Damascus, Syria, Ananias objects to interacting with Paul because he has heard reports about Paul that made him fearful:

Luke 8:13-14
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

Similar reports had spread throughout Galatia and Judea:

Galatians 1:13
For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it.

Other parts of Judea had also heard these reports:

Galatians 1:22-23
22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”

Thus, from three sources we have attestation that Paul was converted from being opponent of Christianity to a believer in the resurrection of Jesus.

 

[fisherman_carl]

Just wanted to add this Scripture passage 1 Cor 15 which deals precisely with this issue.

Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, 2by which you are saved, if you hold it fast—unless you believed in vain.
3 ¶ For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4¶ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5*¶ and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8*¶ Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9*¶ For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God.

…

12Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised;* 14*¶ If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. 17If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18¶ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19*If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.

20But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21¶ For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22*¶ For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

No possibility of interpreting it as merely a hallucination when you read the above Scripture. Jesus appeared to the disciples and more than 500 people at one time most of who were still alive and could collaborate Paul’s letter at the time. Paul addresses the Corinthians to give this message that Christ indeed was raised from the dead because there were some who obviously doubted. Paul appeals to the many witnesses of Jesus’ Resurrection, as well as to their preaching that Christ is raised from the dead, as well as how Christian belief is based on him actually rising from the dead. So there is no possibility of interpreting it as merely a spiritual resurrection for Paul or for any Christian for that matter.

 

[Gorgias]

I have a close friend. He is intelligent. He is a wonderful man. He thinks that the moon landing is fake.

The point, though, is that disputing the moon landing coverage on TV doesn’t, per se, demonstrate that the moon landings themselves weren’t real.

 

[Gorgias]

Sure there is many a thing in creation that has a purpose which is not revealed in Scripture, such as bacteria for example, however the interconnected purpose of these things is being given profound meaning by science.

Hmm… I would think that the ‘purpose’ is given by God, not by science, but I understand (I think) what you’re trying to say…

In religion, we have a body and a soul and the purpose for both had been well described from religion to religion.

I am simply asking what purpose does a glorified body serve?

Why would a ‘glorified human body’ serve a different purpose than a ‘not-glorified human body’…?

 

[GEddie]

I am simply asking what purpose does a glorified body serve?

Why would a ‘glorified human body’ serve a different purpose than a ‘not-glorified human body’…?

Well two bodies, two purposes!

The non-glorified or “natural body” (psychikon soma) is a carrier for natural life, the glorified or “spiritual body” (pneumatikon soma) is the carrier of EVERLASTING LIFE!

You cannot pour everlasting life into the natural human skin!

ICXC NIKA!

 

[Servant19]

Hmm… I would think that the ‘purpose’ is given by God, not by science, but I understand (I think) what you’re trying to say…

Why would a ‘glorified human body’ serve a different purpose than a ‘not-glorified human body’…?

Are you therefore saying that just as we eat using our non-glorified body we will also eat in heaven using our glorified body?

Thankyou for your consideration

.

 

[GEddie]

Are you therefore saying that just as we eat using our non-glorified body we will also eat in heaven using our glorified body.?

Eating is not the **purpose **of a body; it is a function that enables carrying out the body’s purpose, which is [DUH] being alive! [/DUH].

Still, in HIS “glorified body,” our LORD managed to eat,

Luke 24:41 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”

and breathe,

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them

So I wouldn’t necessarily dismiss our “spiritual bodies” doing both.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Servant19]

Eating is not the **purpose **of a body; it is a function that enables carrying out the body’s purpose, which is [DUH] being alive! [/DUH].

Still, in HIS “glorified body,” our LORD managed to eat,

and breathe,

So I wouldn’t necessarily dismiss our “spiritual bodies” doing both.

ICXC NIKA

Hi GEddie

I never said the purpose of our body is to eat. Not sure where you got that from

Also the purpose of our body is not to be alive, it is the soul that is alive. On earth the body’s purpose is to be the vehicle of the soul.

Jesus was well and truly alive without any form of physical body, and in fact He was “life-giving” without a physical body or a glorified body.

I guess the conflict in trying to deal with was the vehement denial of any form of physical activity attributed to the glorified body by St.Thomas.

Eating, drinking, etc are not attributes of the glorified body according to St.Thomas Aquinas.

What then, one must ask, is the purpose?

TheBible talks about the purpose of the soul, the purpose of the physical body, but not one mention of the purpose of the glorified body, the foundation of Christianity.

.