Right on. It reminds me of an apologetics course I took last weekend. The speaker told us of a lawyer who saught to disprove the resurrection of Christ using his legal experience and holding the claims of the bible to the same burden of proof that is required in our court system. The lawyer, a proud atheist, researched and studied the resurrection for years. His conclusion? The evidence in favor of the resurrection was overwelming. The book ends with the lawyer's acceptance of Christ. - Austin

Why are we so critical of other religions? - Wil

What do you mean by critical, Will? - Rick Y

There is very little evidence that there were disciples, and no evidence that any of them were martyred. There are no accounts of Christ by any of his contemporaries
or any eyewitnesses. There is only rumor and legend. - Erik

Sorry Erik, but even secular historians and Muslims etc. accept that Jesus was a real person as much as Pontius Pilot and yes He was seen by hundreds after his death and ressurection and the disciples were the ones who spread the Christian doctrine after his death which is also well documented. Who did you think spread the gospel to begin with? - Becky

Let me ignore Erik's comment, and reply to what I think Will is asking.

We as Christians think we are correct in our beliefs, and that other religions are not. Of course, all religions think they are the right one, so they are no different from Christianity in that respect. Even religions that claim "tolerance" and a belief that there are many ways to God will not "tolerate" Christianity's belief that Jesus is the only way, or any other religions claim that they are right in their beliefs for that matter.

There are significant differences in Christianity, though, and because of that our faith that Jesus is who he said he was is based on reason and facts. There is a wealth of manuscript and archeological evidence supporting the old and new testament. This evidence supports that Jesus was a real person who had a ministry of healing and miracle working, who claimed he was the Messiah, was crucified for that claim, was buried, and whose body was discovered missing on Easter Sunday. As Bryant says, his followers who at first ran and hid, later boldly proclaimed that he was the son of God.

Other religions do not compare. Mohammed was born over 500 years after Jesus died, but Islam claims Mohammed was the true prophet, and the Koran is the true revelation of God. Yet his book changed the biblical accounts that were recorded five hundred to a thousand years earlier. Joseph Smith supposedly received his revelation 1,800 years after Christ, but historical and archeological evidence is completely contrary to the accounts in the book of Morman.

So, by "critical", if you mean that we proclaim our beliefs, and that those beliefs are the truth, then I guess we are going to come off as critical. Christians are called to always be prepared to give the reasons for our beliefs with gentleness and respect. Unfortunately, that's not always how it is handled. We are still sinners, and we may sound more critical than we should. Our motives should be that others come to know Jesus Christ, and how his love for us and death on the cross provides the only way that we can have a personal relationship with God.


- Rick Y

Erik - read "Josepheus", an extra-biblical account of post-Temple Judaism and early Christianity. - JM

I agree with Erik. There is little to no evidence that there were disciples. There are also no written accounts of Christ until several hundred years after he died. Am I right? How accurate would any account of someone's life a few 100 years later be anyhow?

I think you have to differentiate between scientific evidence and evidence found in ancient texts, which may or may not be true. There may be written accounts of Christ, but so what? We all know the New Testament was written by ancient man to covert people to Christianity. There were "conversion docs", not historical accounts. So there may be historical records of Christ, but it does not mean he even lived. He may have, and probably never, lived at all.

As for scientific evidence for Christ (the only kind of evidence in my mind), there is none. There is no scientific evidence for God, Christ, or anything else. It was all a fabrication (by man) to control society. Yet, here we are, 2000 years later, still following. I don't get it. - Jonathan

Jonathan, I don't know if you realize it or not but some people are still answering your other comments from yesterday's devotion. Anyway I'am afraid the only way that you'll know for sure if Christ is for real is that hopefully someday you'll come to know Him in a personal way by praying to accept Him into your heart as Lord and Savior (don't forget the Lord part). To know Him personally is the only way to be sure about Him and to answer your question that's why after 2,000yrs. He's made more difference and changed more lives than any one single person in history otherwise the so called rumors would have died. Even Jewish historians that don't accept Christ as the Messiah accept His existence. The Jewish people were the ones that asked for Him to be crucified in place of the prisoner Barabas, so naturally they aren't too anxious to accept He was the true Messiah. Anyway, like I said the only true way to know is to accept Him as your own Lord and Savior and experience it for yourself. - Becky

Becky, wasn't the whole point of him being murdered to give you guys life everlasting? What would have happened if Christ lived to be 96 and die of old age? Would you still get your life everlasting, or did he have to die like he did? If that's the case, you can thank the Jews.

You have to realize this - just as you are COMPLETELY convinced that Jesus is your saviour, there are a billion people (yes a billion) in the world that think Mohammad is their saviour. All those people think you are completely wrong, and will quote Koran verse and historical texts to prove you wrong, just as you are doing. In my mind, the whole lot of ye are wrong. - Jonathan

Jonathan, I'm curious. What brought you to this site? Are you totally happy and secure in your current life? - FCE

Jonathan, please I was not meaning at all to be condeming of the Jews. I was only trying to express that they even believe Christ lived and was crucified on the cross. On the contrary the Jews are Gods chosen people and the we as gentiles are sort of adopted, so to speak. Like I said the only way a person can know if He is the true Christ and who He is is to accept him into their heart as their personal Lord and Savior. Ours in the only "religion" that you have a "personal relationship" with your Savior. None and I mean none of the others claim that. I put religion in quotations because being so called religious is not the point. The pharisees in the Bible that saw to it Christ was crucified was the most so called religious group of their day in that they were extremely strict in legalities of the scriptures, but not of the heart. That's why some people can be so knowledgeable about the Bible (even Satan could quote the scriptures), but they don't know how to apply any of it in their lives. Therefore it is useless and pointless because it's our hearts that God is interested in not being religious for religious sake.
- Becky

Oops forgot to answer your 1st question. Yes, Christ did have to die as a sacrifice for our sins in order that our sins would die with Him. His birth and death was fortold in the old testament. I know that some of it is in Isiah. Anyway I challenge you to read the gospels in the New Testament of the Bible, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. At least start with one like John and read Christ's own words and then see for yourself. - Becky

Jonathan:

Perhaps you should do more research. It was not hundreds of years it was tens of years.

Also, I guess you do not believe in any historical event of any kind that occurred prior to photographs or video tape. You certainly cannot prove any of those with the scientific method? Most other historical events of antiquity in history books were documented several hundred years after the event. The earliest manuscripts of the New Testament, including Paul's letters, were written thirty years or less after Jesus died.

If you do not believe anything unless it is scientifically provable, you will have a difficult time. History is not science. There is evidence we get from disciplines like history, archeology, and textual criticism that can be brought to bear, but history is the past, and that cannot be tested scientifically. In fact, the belief that "the only way you can know something is through science" is self-refuting. You cannot prove that statement is true using the scientific method.
- Rick Y

Becky, I'm still struggling with the 'morality' of the OT. I still wonder what right from wrong any thinking person can get from this book. As for the NT, it's a huge improvement over the OT, no question. If Jesus existed (it's never been proven he did), he was a great ethical innovator. But Jesus, in a way, is no more than a modern-day atheist - he explicity departed from the old teachings. e.g. he deflated the dire warnings about breaking the sabbath (bye bye stoning).

I've read a lot of the NT, and I'm not impressed with Jesus' view on familiy values - "If any man come to me and hate not his father, and motehr, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." But not withstanding soem dodgey family values, Jesus' ethical teachings were - at least by comparison with the ethical disaster of the Old Testament - admirable.

I can't buy this "original sin" crap either. This teaching, which lies at the heart of the New Testament, is almost as morally obnoxious as the story of Abraham setting out to barbecue Isaac. Thus given moral vapidness of the OT, and the bogus original sin theme of the NT, this is but one reason that I can't buy into either. - Jonathan

Jonathan, The point of the story of Abraham was about his faithfulness in believing God would give provision for the sacrifice which God did at the last moment when the ram entered the picture. For those who in their own lives believe God will provide (and most often at the last minute when it seems impossible) then they have understanding of the story of Abraham. It is a hard story to contemplate but it readies our minds to better understand the sacrifice God made when He gave Jesus to be atonement for our sins. - Janice

Janice, I have a son. And I can tell you with 100% certainty, that if anyone told me to slaughter him, and BBQ him up, I'd tell him where to go. I don't care who he is, even God.

And besides, it wasn't even GOD that stayed his hand. God did not intervene. It was the angel, I believe. If the angel hadn't of shown up, God would have allowed the slaughter to proceed.

Human sacrifice is an left-over from ancient belief systems and religion, and made its way into Judaism, which it the reason it's in the OT. It's not to teach a lesson. It's there because human sacrifice, like in Incas and Mayan cultures, was common in those days.

It's a stupid story. God could have found better ways for Abraham to prove his love. Why Abraham anyhow? There were lots of other people living all over the world, who knew nothing of these religions. Why didn't God care about gaining the love of the aboriginals of Australia? Because they didn't write this book, that's why... - Jonathan

The best thing about being a true believer is the fact that if we are right about Jesus sacrifice for us...we pass on to spend eternity with Him in heaven. If the skeptics and atheists of the world are right...we believers have nothing to lose anyway !!! For the believer it's a win-win situation !! I will continue to pray for all non-believers, in hopes that they will have a sincere change of heart before they hit the bridge abutment. - believing internet friend

Jonathan, well you're quite a thinker and I think that's actually a good thing. God is a big boy and I'am sure he can take your questions hopefully as long as they're somewhat respectful. For me, as far as Christ saying hate your mother and father etc. I have sort of always taken it as a willingness to leave your life as it is if need be and follow Him. It was quite obvious that He loved His mother. If I remember correctly that was one of the last things He said on the cross was for one of the disciples to take care of her. Anyway Christ spoke in a lot of parables and it can be confusing, but sometimes He didn't exactly literally mean exactly what He said. I know you probably have a problem with it, but to me I have to take the context as a whole. That's why some people can take certain verses and make the Bible say about anything they want to. I have to take the overall context to get the meaning. As far as the OT is concerned I understand what you're saying, but He's God and I'am not. I'am not going to pretend that I understand everything in the Bible and for that matter even like everything in it, but there is a lot of things in this world I don't necessarily like, but that doesn't make it not true. - Becky

How could I ever be an atheist? Look with open eyes at the earth, at the universe, and say there is no God? Look at the variety in botany & zoology, and say there is no Designer beyond our understanding? I would have to be blind, deaf, unable to touch, taste or smell.
We can't even control a tornado or a hurricane. Scientific evidence is constantly shifting, opinions vary, and theories abound.We are learning, yes, but we know so little!! 1,000 years from now, we'll be almost as clueless. (my opinion)
But I simply trusted like a child one time, because I was at the end of myself, and able to say I had no answers to anything. Like a child, I asked for faith, and I found the gentlest Friend, forgiveness for what I had done & thought,and a new life with eyes opened more each day. Becky is right, it is the personal relationship!!

Atheists may think Christians are fools, but what do they know? They seem sad and lonely, wearing blinders to the obvious, asking for proof as if they would know it when they experience it. Truth is a Person and He loves them, too.
Happy Resurrection Day to everyone!!

- marti mastbrook

Jonathan, you've spent a lot of time attacking everyone's beliefs. What do you believe? How was the universe, mankind, beauty, art, love, morality, etc., created? What is the source? - Austin

Marti, Happy Ressurection day to you also. I, like you can not believe that when a person looks out across a mountain range and see the scene that is before them, and does not get the feeling that something or someone greater than us created this world. I believe in trusting science when it is warranted but I am not the most stupid person in the world, science has been proven to be wrong in some cases. You take the theory of evolution this has never actually been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt. It was just a thought Darwin had and then Huxley began to push it forward. There has been reports that Darwin even changed his mind before his death but that wasn't comfirmed. Now we teach it in our schools as being a science. To be a science something has to be proven by experiments or have been produced by more than one witness. Why cant we accept the same out of a religion. The accounts of the Bible were proven true by witness after witness. I accept the fact that we all have the right to our own belief but for goodness sake why can't we leave other people alone in their right to believe to believe the way they want to. It is good to be concerned about the beliefs of someone else but when you see you can't change them you don't keep attacking them, you pray for them if you are a believer and ask God to send someone else who might be better equipped to speak to them. I will pray for Jonathon but right now he doesnt want our beliefs he just wants to argue. At least Erik will listen to our side. Have a good day to all. - Jerry

Marti mastbrook, and Austin. Yes, this is a familiar agument - the world is so beautiful and amazing that their had to be a designer. After all, how does one account for Beethoven if there is no God, right? Well Beethoven existed if God is there, and Beethoven existed if God is not there. He, beautiful mountains and flowers, do NOT prove the existence of God. They prove the existence of Beethoven and beautiful flowers.

If there is a logical argument that God is needed to create mountain ranges, nice fluffy clouds and cute puppies - please, spell it out for me. But this argument is never spelled out by its proponents. It is simply assumed to be self-evident, which to the scientist, is not enough proof. - Jonathan

If God created everything then he created the Ichneumon wasp which lays its eggs in the living bodies of other insects. As the larvae grow they eat their way out causing the host critter a long, miserable death. Thanks a lot God. - Erik

Yeah if God is responsible for Beethoven's music, Shakespeare, pretty flowers, beautiful mountain ranges, and waterfalls, then he is also responsible for Ted Bundy, Paul Bernardo, killers that shoot a classroom full of Menonite children, the KKK, Hitler, Stalin, the Catholic Church and all its long history of abuse, 9/11 and irate Muslims, disease, faminie, hurricanes, tornados, torture, unhappiness, and extremely fat people.

If God can be credited with the good, he's resonsible for the bad too. If he can't stop it, he's not all powerful. If he's not all powerful, why pray? Why worship? Why do anything?

Prayer is dumb - if he's all-knowing and all-powerful, He already knows what you want. You shouldn't have to ask. If he needs to be reminded, like some absent-minded diety, then he's not all powerful, which goes back to my earlier argument. - Jonathan

I think it's great that God has put people like Jonathan and Eric on this earth and they enjoy attacking Christianity. It creates interesting responses from the faithful. I only wonder who J and E turn to in their darkest hours? I am old so I've known people with similar outlooks. In their final days, it's surprising how they suddenly embrace religion. Knowing that they were about to go into a black empty void, they became very concerned over their previous lack of faith and decided there really was something about this Jesus "thing." - Bob

If only people could see that we have so much more in common than we have differences. How can you compare one religion to another? I don't know if Jesus was actually the son of god but thats the difference between knowledge and belief...you take the later on faith and that's all that matters. If religions make you a better person and help you find direction than that's right for you. They don't for me but I still respect other's ideas even if mine aren't. Maybe that should be everyones focus while we're in these times of uncertainty. - Terra