.

(This is my 4th and probably final post on Chapter 1)

Yes, it’s possible, but…

I wanted to comment on another section in Chapter 1 called “Proof does not aim at ‘absolute historical certainty'”.

The authors clarify that if we demand absolute 100% proof for all historical claims, then we’ll rarely get anywhere. Rather, the task at hand is to sift through competing historical claims to find the one that is most reasonable.

By contrast, we could talk about the question of whether or not there is an infinite number of prime numbers from an absolute yes/no standpoint. Mathematicians have proven that the answer is yes (I give the details here, plus a bonus discussion of atheism). In this context, it’s not that the answer “yes” is more reasonable, but rather, the math reveals that “yes” is absolutely the correct answer and “no” is absolutely wrong.

But history doesn’t usually work like that. The authors point out that it’s possible that George Washington is a mythical figure. We would reject Washington mythicism not because it’s impossible, but because it’s much more reasonable to believe that he was a historical figure.  

So, we want to look at the available evidence regarding the aftermath of the crucifixion, and then ask the question…what explanation is most reasonable?

All things to all

The final section in Chapter 1 is called “Evidence is part of sharing the gospel”, and it’s about the fact that the type of study we are currently engaged in may not be salient for some people, but that’s OK.

I’m studying the historical evidence for the resurrection because I’m personally interested in it, and I also hope that others can benefit from studying along with me, or even just dialoguing with me during or subsequent to this series of posts.

But yes, you can be a devoted, fruitful Christian without embarking on a study of the historical evidence for the resurrection. In fact, some people might ask me…what if you stopped looking at the historical records and spent more time just reading the Bible instead?

To which I’d say, remember…Paul quoted Greek poets when speaking to the men of Athens in Acts 17:28. Which must mean that he spent some time reading Greek poets! So I think I’m on solid ground when I’m checking out some secular historical records from the early Christian era.

I think this passage from Paul is also relevant to the question of what benefit there is in this study:

[1Co 9:19-23 KJV] 19 For though I be free from all [men], yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all [men], that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with [you].

In the same spirit, I might say, to those who are very interested in what the detailed historical records actually show, I am made a person who is very interested in what the detailed historical records actually show. But, since I’m a data type of person anyway, I’ll admit it’s not much of a stretch 🙂

God bless you, thanks for reading, and please chime in!

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