I have, at age 53, just finished listening to the Age of Reason on audio book (Audible), having never read it. All that I can say is that Thomas Paine, whom I consider to be one of the Founding Fathers, is truly amazing. Even though his book is 200 years old, it is an incredible analysis of "Holy Writ". Paine's discussion of Paul's "500 brethren" in 1st Corinthians 15 is truly amazing, and contains analysis that I have never heard before, from anyone, including Professor Bart Ehrman, although, I am sure that such deficiency is on my part alone. But, here's Paine's take on things:
1) Paul was an extremist, who went from one end to another, first persecuting Christianity before becoming one of its most adherent believers.
2) Most importantly, and never considered by yours truly; assuming, for the moment, that the story of "the 500" was true, such "evidence" was, at the time, not sufficient to convert Paul to Christianity. In other words, even with the so-called "500 witnesses," Paul still persisted in his unbelief, and so, even their supposed testimony was insufficient to convince Paul of the so-called truth of the Gospel. Only Paul's private encounter with Jesus enough to convince him, and not the experiences of others.
3) As was known to me, Paul is the only one who mentions "the 500"; they do not mention themselves (say, by recording their experiences of Jesus firsthand) nor does anyone else mention them, either.
Paine's conclusion: Paul mentions testimony as being "evidence" of Jesus' Resurrection which he, Paul, found to be unconvincing during the time that he was an unbeliever.
1) Paul was an extremist, who went from one end to another, first persecuting Christianity before becoming one of its most adherent believers.
2) Most importantly, and never considered by yours truly; assuming, for the moment, that the story of "the 500" was true, such "evidence" was, at the time, not sufficient to convert Paul to Christianity. In other words, even with the so-called "500 witnesses," Paul still persisted in his unbelief, and so, even their supposed testimony was insufficient to convince Paul of the so-called truth of the Gospel. Only Paul's private encounter with Jesus enough to convince him, and not the experiences of others.
3) As was known to me, Paul is the only one who mentions "the 500"; they do not mention themselves (say, by recording their experiences of Jesus firsthand) nor does anyone else mention them, either.
Paine's conclusion: Paul mentions testimony as being "evidence" of Jesus' Resurrection which he, Paul, found to be unconvincing during the time that he was an unbeliever.
