Dear Editor,
Michael Dingwall's comments on Bible myths in the Observer of Wednesday, December 25, 2013 need an answer. This will be brief, as many books have been written in defence of the Christian message, and above all the Bible stands as still the most circulated book in the world
Myth #1: Jesus was not born of a virgin -- The suggestion that this idea was created by the Romans is both foolish and unhistorical. Firstly, the New Testament Gospel accounts were written in early days of the Christian Church by observers of Jesus's life and work. Doctor Luke, in his Gospel written about AD 60, would have had intimate discussions with Mary, Jesus's mother, to verify the story. The story therefore carries historical reliability and credibility.
Secondly, there is a very important theological reason why the God-Man breaking into history should not be contaminated by the sinful Adamic race. The Last Adam -- Jesus -- had to be sinless to offer the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the first sinful Adamic world. The Old Testament projection for the child to be born of "The Seed of the Woman", was an extraordinary statement made thousands of years before his birth. (Genesis 3: 15 AV)
Myth #2: The resurrection of Jesus -- This Christian doctrine is pivotal to the Christian faith and must be defended. The historical records stand the test of authenticity. Why did the rulers who crucified Jesus not bring out the body of the dead Jesus? Many persons hugged, ate with, and felt the wound marks of the resurrected Jesus, and on one occasion 500 people at once saw him. Why would the frightened and disappointed disciples, after the apparent disaster of the Good Friday crucifixion, be willing to die for a dead Jesus?
Secondly, there is also an important theological reason. It is well argued by St Paul who pointed out that, if the resurrection were not factual, the Christian faith would be meaningless and the individual believer would be, "Dead in your sins." (I Cor 15: 17)
Mr Dingwall has become famous in his writings with the creation his own mythological stories to try and explain away the truths and realities of the Christian faith. He must wheel and come again.
Alfred Sangster
sangsteralfred@yahoo.com
Your stories have holes, Mr Dingwall
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Michael Dingwall's comments on Bible myths in the Observer of Wednesday, December 25, 2013 need an answer. This will be brief, as many books have been written in defence of the Christian message, and above all the Bible stands as still the most circulated book in the world
Myth #1: Jesus was not born of a virgin -- The suggestion that this idea was created by the Romans is both foolish and unhistorical. Firstly, the New Testament Gospel accounts were written in early days of the Christian Church by observers of Jesus's life and work. Doctor Luke, in his Gospel written about AD 60, would have had intimate discussions with Mary, Jesus's mother, to verify the story. The story therefore carries historical reliability and credibility.
Secondly, there is a very important theological reason why the God-Man breaking into history should not be contaminated by the sinful Adamic race. The Last Adam -- Jesus -- had to be sinless to offer the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the first sinful Adamic world. The Old Testament projection for the child to be born of "The Seed of the Woman", was an extraordinary statement made thousands of years before his birth. (Genesis 3: 15 AV)
Myth #2: The resurrection of Jesus -- This Christian doctrine is pivotal to the Christian faith and must be defended. The historical records stand the test of authenticity. Why did the rulers who crucified Jesus not bring out the body of the dead Jesus? Many persons hugged, ate with, and felt the wound marks of the resurrected Jesus, and on one occasion 500 people at once saw him. Why would the frightened and disappointed disciples, after the apparent disaster of the Good Friday crucifixion, be willing to die for a dead Jesus?
Secondly, there is also an important theological reason. It is well argued by St Paul who pointed out that, if the resurrection were not factual, the Christian faith would be meaningless and the individual believer would be, "Dead in your sins." (I Cor 15: 17)
Mr Dingwall has become famous in his writings with the creation his own mythological stories to try and explain away the truths and realities of the Christian faith. He must wheel and come again.
Alfred Sangster
sangsteralfred@yahoo.com
Your stories have holes, Mr Dingwall
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