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Christ has Risen

But did he die in the first place?
Arif Khan

What did happen 2000 years ago? The traditional belief has been that Jesus Christ, the Jewish Messiah, arose from the dead and proved his divinity whilst doing so. By dying and resurrecting Jesus had died for the sins of the world and put humanity right after the sin of Adam and Even. Or so we are told.

The many differing views of Jesus' message and purpose dominated the very early Christian Church. Scholar and Professor Robert Eisenman, one of the leading authorities on the Dead Sea Scrolls, is of the opinion that Jesus' brother James was the rightful successor to Jesus. The message taught by James and St Paul was very much at odds. James was a strict Jew, whereas Paul preached that it was ok to break Jewish laws, such as eating of Pork and also declared that it was not necessary for non-Jews to be circumcised. He also allowed the preaching of Jesus' message to the Gentiles.

St Paul preached Jesus crucified. Professor Geza Vermes of Oxford University, a living expert in the Jewish nature of the historical Jesus, expresses in his research that St Paul is not interested in the historical Jesus. For Paul Jesus' significance is solely in his death and resurrection.

St Paul's writings preach Christ crucified, but is this teaching not only over emphasised but also based on a fact that did not actually occur?

The Church has for hundreds of years pointed to the eye-witness accounts of those that saw that risen Christ. St Thomas was even able to touch the wounds of Christ. He was seen several times. All these people could not have been hallucinating at the same time, they say.

This line of reasoning is logical, but the starting point the exploration of the resurrection must be to the events of the Crucifixion and explanation of key items and occurrences.

The Tomb of Jesus Website has collated and presented evidence for Jesus' survival from the Crucifixion in detail. The website itself provides material examining this issue from theological, scriptural, historical, medical and scientific viewpoints. The website provides answers to:

  • Are there reports from the time of Jesus of anyone ever surviving the punishment of Crucifixion?

  • Just before Jesus 'Gave up the Ghost' he was given some substance on a sponge. What was this and could it have contributed to him appearing to die?

  • Was the lance in his side used as a test to see if he would react, or as final death blow?

  • Was the "blood and water" as mentioned in the Gospel of John have any significance?

  • What does the Shroud of Turin contribute to this discussion?

  • Why did Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea bring large amounts of Aloe and Myrrh with them?

 

Spend sometime exploring these areas and learning about the events that occurred thousands of years ago, that are celebrated each year.

To explore these sections and more start with: