Post-Easter Discussion: Christ's Resurrection (Jesus Christ, rituals, Earth, Messiah, gospel)

[Booko]

Originally Posted by FatMan

1) Had Jesus Christ not lived, nor if he were not resurrected, what other kind of event could have turned those of the Jewish faith to a new religion? Let's face it, the Jewish faith is a strong one, yet there was something that turned devout Jewish followers into those who adopted a Judeo-Christian faith. was the evidence of Jesus Christ's resurrection undoubtable back then?

The message of the Gospel is enough in itself.

2) What type of event could have occured that caused an entirely new day to become devoted to worship?? Prior to the formation of christianity, almost any other religion I researched worshipped on Saturday. What suddenly made sunday the holy day? Was it the fact that Jesus was resurrected on a Sunday?

Um. I wasn't under the impression that worshipping on Saturday was common in Eastern religions, though I'm in no position to say anything remotely authoritative in that area. I can't say I really know what Zoroastraians or the multitudes of different pagan religions did, though I'd be surprised if they all held Saturday as a worship day.

Also, I was under the impression that initially Saturday was the day of worship for Christians, but later it was changed by the Church to Sunday.

In all honesty, I don't give these two questions that much thought, but if I were to ever disavow christianity because I did not believe in it, I'd have to have the two questions above answered definitively to show that there could have been an event of similar significance that brought about such a change, rather than just having a group of follwers going on about a fanciful story.

Any thoughts??

Here's the question I've been asking people for years:

What if Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, lived, was crucified and resurrected, but taught NOTHING?

Would the world have changed? Would so many lives have been transformed?

If we could only have ONE to choose from, just the Resurrection or just the Gospel -- which would make the difference in the world or in people's lives?

[UnityNow101]

The gospel no doubt. Too many Christians look upon the death of Jesus and turn away from the teachings of the Messiah. The problem with that is that they miss the beauty of Christs' first advent. Don't get me wrong. The resurrection was a wonderful thing, but the teachings of Jesus Christ have the power to change a man's heart. The teachings of Jesus can resurrect a man from spiritual death to life. Jesus laid His life down in a way that teaches us as well to put our whole trust in God. From the parables to the cross we are taught to remain steadfast in the cause of God, to love our neighbor and to humble ourselves before mankind.

[FatMan]

I don't know if the MESSAGE of the gospel was enough. If there were not miraculous stories of mystical proportions, I find it difficult to believe that millions of people would switch religious affiliations based solely on the principles taught, seeing that many of those principles are shared by other religions.

My belief is that people had to believe in the Resurrection. They had to believe in walking on water and turning water into wine or healing of the blind. There had to be some very compelling factor, and I don't believe, although this is just my opinion, that the Gospel itelf was enough.

[Hope]

Originally Posted by UnityNow101

The resurrection was a wonderful thing, but the teachings of Jesus Christ have the power to change a man's heart. The teachings of Jesus can resurrect a man from spiritual death to life.

I disagree....it's Christ's death and resurrection that are at the core of the Christian faith. His teachings are indeed powerful stuff, but still don't have enough power, in and of themselves, to change people. It's only a recognition of Christ's work on the cross that can change hearts and bring life.

[Hope]

Originally Posted by FatMan

I don't know if the MESSAGE of the gospel was enough. If there were not miraculous stories of mystical proportions, I find it difficult to believe that millions of people would switch religious affiliations based solely on the principles taught, seeing that many of those principles are shared by other religions.

My belief is that people had to believe in the Resurrection. They had to believe in walking on water and turning water into wine or healing of the blind. There had to be some very compelling factor, and I don't believe, although this is just my opinion, that the Gospel itelf was enough.

I agree....I think. Though, I would seek to clarify--- isn't the Gospel simply that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again? That's what I always understood. Unless, when you are speaking about the Gospel, you are talking about the books known as the Gospels.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Hope

I disagree....it's Christ's death and resurrection that are at the core of the Christian faith. His teachings are indeed powerful stuff, but still don't have enough power, in and of themselves, to change people. It's only a recognition of Christ's work on the cross that can change hearts and bring life.

I don't mean to pick on you, since you are not the only one who has voiced this view, but that's a rather negative view of humanity. We are not capable of recognizing the goodness of his teachings and being transformed by them?

I see now that one's view of the nature of God is intimately connected with one's view of the nature of humanity.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Hope

...isn't the Gospel simply that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again? That's what I always understood. Unless, when you are speaking about the Gospel, you are talking about the books known as the Gospels.

Actually I was thinking the same thing. The Gospel (good news) is that Christ is risen. The teachings recorded in the Gospels are intimately linked to the Resurrection and both point decisively to Love.

2c

[FatMan]

Originally Posted by Hope

I agree....I think. Though, I would seek to clarify--- isn't the Gospel simply that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again? That's what I always understood. Unless, when you are speaking about the Gospel, you are talking about the books known as the Gospels.

In the context to which I was repling, I meant the gospel as the written word. But you are correct to what the gospel truly refers to.