RE: Open debate: What does Jesus teach?
July 30, 2014 at 8:19 am
(This post was last modified: July 30, 2014 at 8:53 am by SteveII.)
Regarding the historicity of Jesus and what the gospels say about it, you all are taking the position not that they are fairly accurate until proven otherwise, but they are "hopelessly inconsistent" and unreliable until proven that they are not. Why should this be the default position, OR do you think that there is proof that they are inaccurate and unreliable? If so, please share.
From the beginning of Luke: Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed.
How is this not what you are looking for? Someone talked to eyewitnesses and wrote everything down? We rely on this standard all the time.
The reason most scholars agree that Jesus not only existed, but was indeed crucified is the gospel accounts from 4 different groups of people, some mention of him from Josephus and Tacitus, but most importantly, that the early church would not have developed as it did had not a core of these things been true. This is called corraborating evidence and is considered very good evidence when judging historical events.
You all have your head in the sand if you think Jesus did not live, teach, and die on a cross.
Regarding Jesus, gentiles, and the Great Commission, this is another example of you taking things out of context without understanding the whole framework (or more probably parroting some other person who seemed to know what they were talking about and didn't). From the gospel of John:
John 3:16 (the world, not the Jews)
John 10:16 (sheep not of this fold, one flock, one shepherd)
As I said before, Jesus had a specific mission that centered around the Jews. There is no conflict between the focus he had and the gentiles. The great commission said all nations--there is not a shred of context clues that this meant Jews. The apostles did not take it that way and they were there.
Some of you referred to the 12 gates. You have to be kidding. Revelations is full of imagery and symbolism. Where does it even hint that these gates are for specific people? Gates have names. I really don't know where you get this stuff.
From the beginning of Luke: Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the truth concerning the things of which you have been informed.
How is this not what you are looking for? Someone talked to eyewitnesses and wrote everything down? We rely on this standard all the time.
The reason most scholars agree that Jesus not only existed, but was indeed crucified is the gospel accounts from 4 different groups of people, some mention of him from Josephus and Tacitus, but most importantly, that the early church would not have developed as it did had not a core of these things been true. This is called corraborating evidence and is considered very good evidence when judging historical events.
You all have your head in the sand if you think Jesus did not live, teach, and die on a cross.
Regarding Jesus, gentiles, and the Great Commission, this is another example of you taking things out of context without understanding the whole framework (or more probably parroting some other person who seemed to know what they were talking about and didn't). From the gospel of John:
John 3:16 (the world, not the Jews)
John 10:16 (sheep not of this fold, one flock, one shepherd)
As I said before, Jesus had a specific mission that centered around the Jews. There is no conflict between the focus he had and the gentiles. The great commission said all nations--there is not a shred of context clues that this meant Jews. The apostles did not take it that way and they were there.
Some of you referred to the 12 gates. You have to be kidding. Revelations is full of imagery and symbolism. Where does it even hint that these gates are for specific people? Gates have names. I really don't know where you get this stuff.
