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| 1. easily persuaded to believe something; credulous. synonyms: naive, exploitable, dupable... |
Something extraordinary happened yesterday at my church. It was so bizarre, I had to mention it in my little blog. A missionary was invited to speak during the Sunday morning worship. He brought a local ministry-partner to make his introduction which included an anecdote from his childhood. Here's the story: When Pastor V. was a child, his mother became ill and was taken to a clinic in a neighboring town. She died. Her body was brought back and laid out in their home while the village gathered to mourn. A local christian, (who was described as a bit of a vagabond) came into the home, laid his hand on her forehead, and she was resurrected from the dead. The congregation of my Southern Baptist Church gasped in wonder and awe.
I don't think it occurred to anyone listening that perhaps they should examine such an incredible truth-claim. In lieu of corroborating documentation from a physician, they offered as proof the "fact" that the entire village converted to christianity and remains so to this day. Reeeeeally? I kinda thought God ordinarily used the preaching of the word to convert sinners. You see, this guy is from India, so I can't really pick up the phone to check out his story. I'd like to think someone looked into what he's up to; since we handed him a check from our church to build a well. (Actually, even if he's a total fraud, I'd give him money to build a well.)
I just wish I knew more about the fella. As I've written here before, I have a hard time believing someone who sets off a big enough credibility-bomb. And they don't get much bigger than a modern day Lazarus tale. If a complete stranger told you he got a hole-in-one on a par-5 one day while he was golfing alone, you'd at least question the plausibility. So, the same guy tells you his mother was resurrected from the dead and no one bats an eye? Maybe I'm too skeptical... time will tell.
That's a good point, but couldn't it be carried out to the whole extraordinary claims of the Bible?
ReplyDeleteHi Alice.
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me say how nice it is to hear from you. I never expect anyone to read my blog, especially after my long hiatus, so it's really nice to get feedback.
Since I know we share a common faith, we both know that the miracles recorded in scripture pass the ultimate truth-test. They served as a type of revelation validating a messenger, or his message, one way or the other. In and of themselves, however, I don't see them as being a means of salvation. (I'm thinking about the words of Abraham to the rich man in torment.)
Miracles, though rare, were present during the apostolic era, confirming the Gospel of Jesus and the evangelistic work of the apostles, including the completion of the canon. Those foundations don't need to be laid again, and again. Now the command is to believe it, obey it, and preach it.
That's why I get really squinty-eyed when someone begins to relate fantastic stories. It makes me extremely suspicious of their motives. When someone is tricky, what do they usually want?
Hi Cathy,
ReplyDeleteI am pleased that you responded. I guess what I am saying to be blunt is how do we know that the stories in the Bible are even true?
Alice, I caught up a bit on your blog, and read the post you linked too. I wasn't sure whether to e-mail or reply here. I know you're somewhat familiar with my blog, so you know I'm no Smarty McSmartington. I can only give you my rationale and leave the rest in the hands of the Holy Spirit.
DeleteEven before God regenerated me, I read the Bible. There were parts I believed and parts I sorta mentally "set aside." In college, I toggled between a Biology and an Elementary Ed. major. I finally dropped the Biology because I wanted to graduate quicker, and left off the final 9 hours I needed for Biology. I mention that to explain a source of much of my doubt. I was neck deep in a plant-diversity class when I began to be filled with marvel at the complexity of the most insignificant single cell plants. It would be a very long and boring story to tell, but eventually I became convinced that there was no way that random mindless chance organized our universe, all the way down to subatomic particles. I really don't know how any thinking person could assign life to chance, but such is the determination of some to escape the ultimate trajectory of such an acknowledgment.
In short, I became convinced the Bible was irrefutable, but I wasn't yet convinced I believed it. Truly, overcoming doubt requires more than convincing evidence. For me, it came when I became intensely grieved over my sin. I couldn't eat, sleep, or turn off my blaring conscience. I came to a crossroad. Without sensing the irony, I spoke to God, saying "If you're really there, let me know, because I'm about to go crazy, and there's no telling what I might do." However, life went on, and on, and I eventually "settled down" and forgot that prayer, but God didn't. He continued to pursue me. The path wasn't strait or direct, but in hindsight, I can clearly see the hand of His providence guiding me.
I believe the supernatural accounts recorded in the Bible because I believe a supernatural God inspired it. I believe the physical evidence of that Creator is manifest in his creation. I'm personally acquainted with the law he encoded in my being, and which I knew for a fact I had violated. When I finally understood the provision he made for me on the cross, I believed and became alive.
Now, Alice, I am a 50 year old woman, and I've seen a thing or two in my time. There are a few things I've found to be true in general when someone is at a "crossroad" or a crisis of faith:
+Sometimes a tragedy causes someone to doubt God's goodness, and grow sullen toward him.
+Sometimes a person does something so evil, they believe themselves unpardonable.
+Most of the time, however.... ALMOST ALWAYS, a person rejects God because they want to do something they know to be sin, but are sick of fighting it, and need to reject God to liberate their conscience. An acquaintance of mine described how "free" she felt when she finally rejected God. Sin can be mighty delicious... for a season.
Maybe one of those describes you, maybe not. Like I said, they are just generalizations I've made. Whichever direction you go at this crossroad, I will continue to pray for you, and look forward to reading your blog. I'm enjoying the song lyrics you're using for illustrations.
I had a very intense salvation experience, too. I wrote that in on the story (Salvation). It was from there that we moved through Catholicism and then to a EFree church. Both my husband and I were very much into pursuing the heart of God, but I think that reality just got too much in the way.
DeleteI found the Bible to be riddled with error and contradiction. All the ways I tried to find to mesh my own experience with what the Bible said came up pretty short.
There has been some tragedy along the way, none of which I truly believe turned me away, but maybe?
Thanks for your kind and thoughtful response here, I can tell from your testimony that you are also a thinking person, with a bit of a skeptical side. I'm glad you have found peace with God.
I will not say that a God or even gods exist, but I found that there is no substantial evidence for it being the God of the Bible.
"That's why I get really squinty-eyed when someone begins to relate fantastic stories."
ReplyDeleteYes, 2000 year-old resurrection stories have that effect on me, too.
Thanks for stopping by, Grant. I'm flattered to receive a visit from my first internet-atheist. I'm not used to visitors, so I'm always pleased to receive guests. Now... off to figure out how to set comment moderation :-)
DeleteDoubting the resurrection does not necessarily make one an atheist, Cathy. As for that squinty-eyed doubt you feel about the miracle claim from distant climes: imagine, if you can, feeling that about the resurrection narratives of the Gospels. It's not so very different - same sense of incredulity, but with a longer reach.
DeleteOne (wo)man's tall tale is another's road to glory.
Your quite right, Grant. "If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead."
ReplyDeleteYou know, the story of Jesus' resurrection is set in a context. The gospels were written while the people who were around at the time were still living. He is recorded as appearing to several hundred people before the ascension.
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost, I believe the Bible because I trust God. I know that sounds like circular reasoning, and I have many other reasons as well that I won't go into here and now. But in looking at the claims of the resurrection, I think one of the most compelling proofs were the eye-witnesses. There were hundreds and they were still alive at the time of the writing of the gospels. Further, most of the disciples were martyred for their faith. I might wonder if they were perpetuating a big hoax to prop up "their" new religion, but would so many be willing to die for that hoax? Unlikely.
And if it was a big hoax, as the Jews and the Romans would have loved to prove, why didn't they produce the body? That would have been easy enough to do.
This story from India... well, I'd be skeptical too. I'd want some independent corroboration.
Julie
I agree completely, Julie. I realize that someone can be deceived into believing a lie and even dying for it, but if Jesus and the resurrection were a hoax, then 500+ people (including Roman and Jewish officials) had to be complicit in it. Then, the adherents had to suffer the loss of everything they owned, their children, their hides and their lives for a lie. That is just not plausible.
DeleteFurthermore, as I counseled a family member when he got sucked into an array of internet conspiracy websites; it is impossible to maintain a conspiracy over any length of time if more than 3 people are involved.
Thanks for stopping by, Julie. Now, expect to be trolled by sneering internet atheists in 3 - 2 - 1...