Christian belief | Grandma's Ramblings

Recently I posted about a book I have been reading, “Cold-Case Christianity.” Written by J Warner Wallace, this homicide detective applies his investigative skills to an examination of the Gospels. The basis of the Christian faith is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many have tried to deny the resurrection. Wallace lists many of the arguments given to refute the resurrection. One argument is the disciples were delusional. Full of sorrow over the death of this one they had followed for three years, they only imagined they saw the risen Christ.

Could this be?

First question to ask: How do you explain the empty tomb? While they might have imagined they saw a vision of Jesus, the empty tomb was clearly not a hallucination.

When someone dies, friends and relatives will share all the beautiful memories of the deceased. Seldom, if ever, will people share the negative memories they have. The image given of the deceased will tend to be perhaps a little different than the actual person.

However, as people share their stories it’s hard to believe that they would all share the same identical stories. That a large group of people would have the same hallucinations.

Wallace raises reasonable questions to ask about this proposal of disciples just imagining the resurrection.

While individuals hallucinate, there are no examples of large groups of people having the exact same hallucination.
While a short, momentary group hallucination may seem reasonable, long, sustained and detailed hallucinations are unsupported historical and intuitively unreasonable.
Not all the disciples were inclined favorably toward such a hallucination. The disciples included people like Thomas, who was skeptical and did not expect Jesus to come back to life.
If the resurrection was simply a hallucination, what become of Jesus’ corpse? The absence of the body is unexplainable under this scenario.

Again, I know for those who believe it may seem silly to even spend time addressing these arguments. But as our nation grows further and further from belief in Christianity, we need to be able to “always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect.”

Again, I highly recommend this book. It addresses much more than the resurrection and is an excellent resource for those wanting to learn more about the Bible.

Guaranteed to make you smile!

“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”

There have been many books written defending Christianity and its claims for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Here is one to add to the list: “Cold Case Christianity – a homicide detective investiages the claims of the Gospels.” Written by J Warner Wallace, a former atheist until he applied his investigative skills to an examination of the Gospels. In his career as a detective he has worked primarily with cold-case homicides.

He says that there are many similarities between investigating cold case homicides and investigating the claims of Christianity. Both are events from the distant past for which there is little or no forensic evidence (evidence that refers to the application of scientific methods and techniques to the investigation and resolution of legal issues).

Wallace then points out the presuppositions many take who begin their examination of the Gospels by stating there is no supernatural. How can someone honestly investigate the claims of miracles in the New Testament if he/she starts by ruling out the supernatural?

Wallace then takes you through “abductive reasoning” and “circumstantial evidence” and evaluates the reliability of the eyewitnesses in the Gospels.

The first article of Christian faith he looks at is the resurrection. The belief in the resurrection is the heart of the Christiann faith. If the resurrection did not happen, then all Christianity falls.

He lists many of the arguments given to refute the resurrection.

The disciples were mistaken about Jesus’s death. Jesus survived the beating and crucifixion and simply appeared to his disciples after his death.
The disciples lied about the resurrection. They stole his body from the grave and fabricated the stories of His appearances after his death.
The disciples were delusional. Due to their intense grief and sorrow, they only imagined seeing Jesus alive. The appearances of Jesus were simply hallucinations.
The disiciples were fooled by an imposter, who tricked them into believing Jesus was alive.
The disciples’ observations were distorted later. Their original observations were amplied and distorted as the legend of Jesus grew over time.
The disciples were accurately reporting the resurrection of Jesus. The Gospels are accurate eyewitnesses that Jesus died and rose again.

While many may say they believe in the Gospel and do not need to read books like this, I believe we need to educate ourselves so that we can honestly and clearly explain the truth to those who may be searching but have been prejudiced against the Bible by secular teaching.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who may have family or friends who are searching for the truth.

Last Sunday I heard a sermon based on Ephesians 2 contrasting the difference between what we were before we accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior with what we were after that acceptance.

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.”

“who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”

This got me to thinking of how many times those words “but God” show that when God steps into a situation, things change.

One big example of this is in the story of Joseph. Sold by his brothers into slavery, when they finally met him as the second in command of Egypt they feared for their lives. Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:19-20

After Jacob sought to return to the land of his father, Isaac, his father-in-law followed him to try to bring him back. “he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead. But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’” Genesis 31:23-24

Jacob spoke to his father-in-law of God’s protection. “If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you.” Genesis 31:42

When David hid from King Saul who was trying to kill him, God protected him. “David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.” 1 Samuel 23:14

Other great verses that show how God intervenes and that changes everything.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26

“You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.” Acts 3:15

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard . . . the things which God has prepared for those who love Him . . . But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:10

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able . . .” 1 Corinthians 10:13

“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.” Psalm 34:19

These verses tell us that our circumstances DO NOT get the last word.

I think of many times in my life when death, disease, betrayal, financial difficulties, even when my faith wavered, BUT GOD intervened.

My recent bout of heart concerns has had me thinking of my life. Decisions I made – what if I had made a different choice?

When reflecting on my life, I remembered one of my favorite poems.

Thankful to say that after two months of tests ending with a heart catherization, I finally have answers.

Doctor said the heart has two systems they looked at. The “plumbing” part is fine. No blockage, no valve problems. The “electrical” part is not. My lower heart chambers are putting in extra beats. At this point there is no reason to be too concerned, although we will need to keep an eye on how the episodes continue.

Meantime, I have meds to slow down my heart beats. Must avoid caffeine, alcohol and stress. Will follow up with doctor periodically.

The meds have made me so tired. Hopefully my body will adjust and as I restart my exercise program, I will regain more energy.

Just for the record, I am glad for the road I have taken.

In my prayer group this week I heard another new song (not new, but new to me). The first words of the song struck me so strongly.

“I will stay here for a little while, until I look like the one I behold.”

What a powerful thought! What a great desire!

Today I began to look at scriptures that tell us we should look/act be like Jesus Christ.

Galatians 3:27 – For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Romans 8:29 – For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Philippians 2:5 – Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
1 John 2:6 – Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
Ephesians 5:1 – Be imitators of God, as beloved children.
1 Peter 2:21 – For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

The list could go on and on.

As a child I remember my dad sometimes telling us as we went out for an activity. “Remember who you are. Don’t bring disgrace on the Sechrest name.”

Followers of Jesus did not call themselves Christians. That was a name given to them as a put-down. The hostile culture called them Christians to mock them. In essense, they said you are acting like “little Christs.” Because of the way the early church lived, ministering to the poor, the hurting, showing the love of Jesus, what was meant as a insult became a badge of honor.

Today we once again find the name Christian has become confrontational to many. We hear a lot of negative things in the media and on social platforms about Christians. Much of this is to be expected.

Jesus told us “If the world hates you, remember it hated me first.” He warned His disciples, “And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” He even told us, “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man.”

While Jesus warned us we would not be accepted by the culture if we reflected Him, I have to wonder if some of the blame falls on our shoulder.

Do we, as my father warned me, not act in ways that would bring honor and glory to our family name? Do we live our lives as Jesus did? Do we truly love our enemies – even pray for them? Are we truly honest in all we say and do? How do we treat the stranger in our community?

It is interesting to me when Jesus spoke of judgment on the nations at the end of time the things He said we would be judged by – do we really do any of them?

“I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”

But is it really possible to look like Jesus?

Ephesians 1:19 – I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.

1 John 5:4 – For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
1 Corinthians 15:57 – But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:37 – Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

It’s a humbling thought. But as I spend more time in worship and reflecting on Jesus, it is my prayer, my desire that I will look like Him.

Then Jesus took His disciples up on the mountain and gathering them around Him, He taught them, saying:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven
Blessed are the meek
Blessed are they that mourn
Blessed are the merciful
Blessed are they that thirst for justice
Blessed are you when persecuted
Blessed are you when you suffer
Be glad and rejoice for your reward is great in heaven.”

Then Simon Peter said, “Are we supposed to know this?”

And Andrew said: “Do we have to write this down and take notes?”

And James said: “Will we have a test on this?”

And Thomas said: “Do we have to get this signed?”

And Phillip said: “I don’t have any paper.”

And Bartholomew said: “Do we have to turn this in?”

And John said: “The other disciples didn’t have to learn this.”

And Matthew said: “May I go to the boys’ room?”

And Judas said: “What does this have to do with real life?”

Then one of the Pharisees who was present asked to see Jesus’ lesson plan and inquired of Jesus:

“Where is your anticipatory set, your aim (long-term goals), your objectives in the cognitive domain?”

This is from the message my husband gave today at Hazel Findley Assisted Living:

The Gospel of Matthew as well as other Gospel writers presents the reality of Jesus’ death as an absolute certainty.

Those standing around the cross watched as Jesus “breathed his last.” – John 19:30 tells us He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.

They heard him cry with a loud voice. – Mark 15:37 tells us Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed His last.

Roman authorities, acting on instructions from Pilate, broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus to hasten their death; but coming to Jesus, they discovered He had already died – John 19:33 says “But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.

Having received confirmation of death from the Roman centurion, Pilate released the body of Jesus to Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus for burial.

The callous Roman soldiers said “He is dead.”
The curious crowds, unconscious of the eternal significance, said “He is dead.’
Pilate got the word, “Jesus is dead.”
Mary, feeling the pain like a dagger in her heart, said, “My son is dead.”
His disciples, numb and stunned with the events of the last few hours said, “The Master is dead”

Everybody had written Jesus off – gone forever.

Dead.

Get on with the same routine. He’s dead. No one expected to see Him or hear His voice again.

It’s Friday….but Sunday’s coming.

What separates Christianity from all other religions is an empty tomb and the words of Christ who says “I was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore.”