Strobel interviews Dr. Gregory Boyd, an author of several well-respected books and a professor of theology at Bethel University.
Boyd addresses the rebuttal of the biblical Jesus being the real Jesus by a group called the Jesus Seminar.
The Jesus Seminar claims:
- the real Jesus was embellished with supernatural powers after the fact
- The Gospel of Thomas belongs with the four Gospels canonized in the NT
- Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith are two different entities
- Their goal was to free naive Americans from the belief the biblical Jesus was the real Jesus
Based their hypothesis that the Bible can't be accurate, because:
- They've never seen the supernatural
- Words attributed to Jesus were fabricated and can't be proven
The resurrection of Christ, according to Paul is a very significant supernatural event:
12But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 (NIV)
The second argument twist the principle that something quote from history should be considered reliable with corroborating or supporting evidence, since the person credited with the quote isn't available to confirm or dispute.
Apollonius is used as a means to discredit the story as but mythology or legend. However, the story of Apollonius (which in many ways parallels that of Jesus) comes from a single source and was known to originate after 230 A.D. or several generations removed from the life of the real man. In contrast, we have seen the mounting evidence that support the historical accuracy of the Gospels concerning Jesus.
Dr. Boyd states, "I don't want to base my life on a symbol. I want reality."
The Apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John had absolutely nothing to gain from writing the Gospels and the story of Jesus, but they lost everything including their lives AFTER a life of persecution for their teachings.
Next week: Analyzing Jesus
