11/20/14

From Jim McGuiggan... Deuteronomy 25:5-10, Levirate Law


Deuteronomy 25:5-10, Levirate Law

A reader raises the topic of the Levirate arrangement in the OT where a brother would take his brother’s widow to wife and raise children to him (see Deuteronomy 25:5-10; the word "levirate" comes from the Latin levir meaning "husband’s brother"). He wonders about such structures and about polygamy and concubinage. I'm certain he’s right when he implies that polygamy and other institutions like it fall short of the one flesh union God gifted humans with and purposed for his glory and their enrichment. In that respect there's something "adulterous" about all those arrangements. As you know very well, they were regulated by God rather than approved.

Why God would tolerate these arrangements is another question. The reader and I are both committed to the view that God does what is right whether we understand it or not, but sometimes it's hard to follow God’s thinking. This is one of those areas where I find his "argument" hard to follow.

If we knew as much as he does (and I don't mean if we were omniscient) we'd understand the larger context of the tolerance. Sometimes it isn't a question of having specific knowledge on an issue—it’s a stress or a higher value on this or that that's missing in us. And sometimes the value is not in the arrangement itself or its immediate function, but in what is to be gained in the long term.

But beyond that—and this needs to be stated and developed with care—I’m persuaded that the patriarchal dominance that’s taken for granted in the OT is (in part) the outworking of the curse outlined in Genesis 3:16. We don’t hear of God regulating structures where women have numerous "husbands" or of legislation about women divorcing husbands because they find something in them that displeases the wives. As Genesis 3 tells it, both male and female united in sinning against God and redemptive chastisement falls on them. Sinful men exploited women—this was the outworking of God’s curse so it’s a combination of divine appointment and human wickedness. He means it for good and we mean it for evil, as it was in the cross of Christ and a host of human structures. To examine biblical laws and structures in (near) isolation, as independent realities, misses the full picture. I think the above needs to be borne in mind when we looks at things like polygamy, "slavery" (in some forms), concubinage and Levirate structures.

Certainly the Levirate arrangement had ramifications for the inheritance and the continuation of the name of the brother and that is what seems prominent in the texts dealing with the structure. But I think the land promise as it functioned within Israel has other and larger concerns—it has typological/theological ramifications and when we enter the gospel era, in the exaltation of the Christ, that piece of land is enlarged to the entire planet (see Romans 4:13). Land in the Bible is not just "turf". It's that, but it's also a token of "life with God". A major stress on the land inheritance throughout scripture is that God provides it to the powerless. It is always "gift" and cannot be seized or shrewdly gained in a sinister way. God saw to it that Abraham's "dead" body and Sarah's "dead" womb did not keep them from family and land and this Levirate arrangement may have something of all that in it. The "gospel" is being proclaimed in it as it is in other Israelite structures such as the redeeming of the firstborn, the Passover, and so forth. I'm sure that there is much more involved in God's regulating the Levirate arrangement than the immediate social/economic benefits. (It won't hurt to remark that all the social/economic benefits have a larger context within "the favour of God.")

Since God saw fit to tolerate and regulate polygamy and concubinage maybe we shouldn't be surprised that a Levirate arrangement was constructed (given the other considerations just hinted at). If it should be said—and it should be—that it is less than Genesis 2 and God's heart's desire, we should acknowledge it. Then, I suppose, we'd begin to speak of God gaining his ultimate ends in and through sinful people rather than the innocent ones he created in the Garden. Either obliterate sinners completely or gain your end through the realisable best until your ultimate holy aim is achieved. Maybe that's what faced God.

The above, I think, still stands, but it's clear that God didn't see the brother raising up a family to his dead brother as a casual thing. He slew Onan for getting the pleasure while treacherously taking advantage of his dead brother and his widow (Genesis 38:8-9). The same is true in the matter of concubines. There can be no suggestion that concubinage satisfied the heart of God, but a concubine was regarded as a wife (a wife with fewer "legal" rights). Reuben was rejected in favour of Judah because he slept with his father Jacob's concubine (Genesis 35:22 and 49:3-4). So polygamy, concubinage and the Levirate structure were not cases of people just "sleeping around". These were serious social structures that God made use of in gaining his greater ends. How he could do that is to be wondered at in many ways, one of them is that it is a marvel of grace and patience, and, in addition, as redemptive chastisement.

Look Who’s Talking by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1349

Look Who’s Talking

by  Eric Lyons, M.Min.

As we study and defend the Bible, we must keep in mind that we are dealing with an inspired record that contains numerous uninspired statements. Even though “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16), not everything that the inspired writers recorded was a true statement. For example, after God created Adam, He told him not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil lest he die (Genesis 2:17). Yet, when the serpent approached Eve, he “informed” her that she would not die if she ate of this forbidden fruit (3:4). Obviously, Satan was not inspired by God to say “You will not surely die.” In fact, as we learn earlier, he actually lied (John 8:44). However, when Moses recorded the events that took place in Eden hundreds of years later, he wrote by inspiration of God (cf. Luke 24:44; John 5:46). When Jesus healed a demoniac, some of the Pharisees accused Him of casting out demons, not by the power of God but by the power of “Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons” (Matthew 12:24). Like Moses, Matthew did not write a lie, but merely reported a lie. The inspired writers of the Bible are in no way responsible for the inaccurate statements that are recorded therein. Whether the statements were true or false, they reported them accurately.
When giving a defense for a particular truth the Bible teaches (cf. 1 Peter 3:15), or when refuting the error that someone else may be teaching (cf. Ephesians 5:11; 2 Timothy 4:2), we must keep in mind who is doing the talking. The above examples are rather elementary: Satan’s statement and the Pharisees allegations clearly were false. But what about when statements are made by individuals who do not seem “as bad” as these?
Oftentimes when attempting to defend a certain doctrine, a person will quote a verse from the book of Job and say, “See, that’s what it says…the book of Job says…therefore my doctrine is proven true.” Not long ago I read an article by a gentleman who was defending a doctrine by citing various verses in the book of Job. This man never indicated who made the statements; he simply cited all of them as being true statements. Those who “defend the truth” in such a way totally disregard one of the fundamental rules of interpretation, i.e., knowing who is speaking. One who studies Job must realize that it is an inspired book that contains many uninspired statements. For instance, we know that Job’s wife was incorrect when she told him to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). We also know that many statements made by Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar were incorrect. Nine of the 42 chapters in the book were speeches by these “miserable comforters” (16:2) whom God said had “not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has” (42:7). Clearly then, one never should quote these men and claim it as an inspired truth.
Finally, we must understand that even though Job was “blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (1:1), there is no indication that his speeches were inspired. Neither He nor anyone else in the book ever claimed his statements were “given by inspiration of God.” In fact, when Jehovah finally answered Job out of the whirlwind, He asked: “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” (38:2, emp. added). Obviously, God never would have asked such a rhetorical question had Job been inspired. Prior to the Lord’s speeches, Elihu twice accused Job of the very same thing (34:35; 35:16). Later, Job even said himself: “I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know” (42:3, emp. added; cf. 30:16-23). Clearly, then, these passages indicate that Job’s speeches were not inspired.
Through the years, various authors have sought to establish scientific foreknowledge in the passage found in Job 26:7 where Job, in speaking of God, observed that “He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing.” Two items from this passage are alleged to be prescientific in nature. First, appeals have been made to the fact that one supposedly can observe an “empty space” in the northern skies—a space where there are no stars, thus corroborating Job’s statement about an “empty space” in the north. Second, some have suggested that since Job’s phrase, “He hangs the earth on nothing,” is literally true (because as everyone now knows, the Earth is freely suspended in space), this is an example of scientific foreknowledge. But if we attempt to convince people that this verse is to be taken literally, how do we then consistently deal with statements in the same chapter that obviously are figurative (such as verse 11: “The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astonished at his rebuke”)? Further, there is no empty space in the north. Instead, “billions of stars and galaxies extend outward in all directions” (DeYoung, 1989, p. 95). [Job was not speaking of a literal “empty space” in the north. During his day, pagan gods of idolaters were said to live “in the north.” Job pointed out, correctly, that this could not be true because in the north there was nothing but “an empty space.”]
The honest Christian desires to defend the Word of God with every legitimate weapon in the apologetic arsenal. However, we only hurt the cause of Christ when we employ arguments that are backed by uninspired statements. When studying your Bible or when teaching and defending one of its many truths, always remember to look who’s talking.

REFERENCES

DeYoung, Donald B. (1989), Astronomy and the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).

From Mark Copeland... Introduction to Mark

                          "THE GOSPEL OF MARK"

                              Introduction

INTRODUCTION

1. "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God"...
   a. So begins the Gospel according to Mark - Mk 1:1
   b. The shortest of the four gospels, likely the first one written
   c. Often overlooked because of the gospels of Matthew and Luke

2. Yet the Believer's Bible Commentary notes that because of its
   brevity...
   a. Mark's gospel is an ideal introduction to the Christian faith
   b. In mission fields it is often the first book translated into a new
      language

[Who was Mark?  What makes his gospel unique?  Let's start with...]

I. AUTHOR AND DATE OF THE GOSPEL

   A. JOHN MARK...
      1. Who apparently came from a wealthy family
         a. His mother was Mary, who had a large house in Jerusalem - Ac 12:12
            1) Some speculate the Last Supper took place in her home
               (RWP)
            2) Also that Mark may have been the young man who fled naked
               - Mk 14:51-52
         b. His cousin was Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus - Ac 4:36-37;
            Col 4:10
      2. Who traveled with Paul and Barnabas
         a. Starting out on their first missionary journey, but turned
            back - Ac 13:5,13
         b. Which caused trouble between Paul and Barnabas - Ac 15:36-41
         c. He later became a fellow laborer and comfort to Paul - Phe
            1:24; Col 4:10-11
         d. In Paul's final words, Mark proved "useful to me for
            ministry" - 2Ti 4:11
      3. Who also accompanied Peter
         a. Who called him "his son" (his convert?) - 1Pe 5:13
         b. Who was in "Babylon" (possibly Rome) at the time
      4. Traditions outside the Bible state:
         a. Mark was an interpreter for Peter - Papias, 130 A.D.
         b. Mark composed his gospel mostly from Peter's memoirs
            - Justin Martyr, 150 A.D.
         c. Mark went to Alexandria in Egypt where he died in 64 A.D.
      -- The early and unanimous opinion is that John Mark wrote this
         gospel

   B. BEFORE 64 A.D....
      1. Certainly so, if written by one who died in 64 A.D.
      2. Barnes suggests between 56 and 63 A.D.
      3. Some scholars date the book in the early 50's
      -- A plausible date would 57-59 A.D. (Bible Knowledge Commentary)

[Now for some information about Mark's gospel in particular...]

II. THEME AND OUTLINE OF THE GOSPEL

   A. ITS THEME OR PURPOSE...
      1. Written to Gentiles, perhaps Christians in Rome (BKC); note the
         following:
         a. Jewish customs are explained - e.g., Mk 7:3-4
         b. Aramaic expresses are translated into Greek - e.g., Mk 3:17;
            5:41; 7:11
         c. Roman reckoning of time is used - e.g., Mk 6:48; 13:35
         d. Only Mark identifies Simon of Cyrene as the father of Rufus
            - cf. Mk 15:21; Ro 16:13
         e. Few OT quotations are used
      2. The focus appears to be on Jesus as the Perfect Servant (BBC)
         a. Mark emphasizes the deeds of the Lord more than His words
         b. He records nineteen miracles, but only four parables
         c. The deeds of one who "did not come to be served, but to
            serve" - Mk 10:45
      -- Thus one could say that the theme is:  "Jesus, Servant of Man"

   B. A SIMPLE OUTLINE...
      1. The preparation for Jesus' ministry - Mk 1:2-13
      2. His ministry in Galilee - Mk 1:14-9:50
      3. His journey to Jerusalem - Mk 10:1-52
      4. His ministry in Jerusalem - Mk 11:1-13:37
      5. His suffering and death in Jerusalem - Mk 14:1-15:47
      6. His resurrection and appearances - Mk 16:1-13
      7. His great commission and continued work from heaven - Mk 16:
         14-20
      -- Jesus came from heaven to serve, and returned to heaven to
         serve!

[Perhaps of further interest are some...]

III. SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GOSPEL

   A. AN EARLY GOSPEL...
      1. Probably the first one written
      2. All but 31 verses are quoted in the other gospels
      3. Leading many to conclude that Matthew and Luke based their
         gospels on Mark

   B. A CONCISE GOSPEL...
      1. The shortest of the four gospels
      2. Luke has 1151 verses, Matthew 1071, John 879, Mark 661
      3. Mark's entire gospel can be read aloud in 1.5 hours

   C. A FAST-PACED GOSPEL...
      1. Over 40 times he uses a word translated "straightway" or
         "immediately"
      2. Two-thirds of the verses begin with "and"
      3. The present tense is used frequently (e.g., they come...He
         says...He sends...)

   D. A VIVID GOSPEL...
      1. Mark presents "lively little touches" not found in the other
         gospels - Hendriksen
      2. "...he wrote with all the graphic distinctiveness and vividness
         of an eyewitness - Erdman
      3. It may have been Peter's reminiscences, or perhaps his own,
         that account for such details

   E. AN EVANGELISTIC GOSPEL...
      1. It opens with "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ..."
         - Mk 1:1
      2. It closes with "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to
         every creature" - Mk 16:15

CONCLUSION

1. What Mark accomplished with his gospel in the first century was
   significant...
   a. He left a record of the gospel preached by Peter
   b. Which emphasized the things that Jesus did - cf. Ac 10:36-39
   c. That stressed the servitude of Jesus as the Son of Man - cf. Mk 10:45

2. It can serve an important purpose for us today, reminding us...
   a. That Jesus came to serve, and continues to serve - cf. He 7:25
   b. That Christian discipleship likewise involves service - cf. Ga 5:13

3. Mark's own life was one of early failure, redeemed by later devotion
   (Erdman)...
   a. He got off to a rocky start in his service for the gospel of
      Christ
   b. But he persevered and proved to Paul that he was "useful...for
      ministry"

May his gospel of Jesus Christ, who came to serve, inspire us to become
servants who are also:

   "useful for the Master, prepared for every good work" - 2Ti 2:21

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                    The Great Commission (28:16-20)

INTRODUCTION

1. The gospel of Matthew ends with Jesus meeting with His apostles in
   Galilee...
   a. Foretold by Jesus before His betrayal - Mt 26:31-32
   b. Announced by both an angel and Jesus after His resurrection - Mt28:7,10

2. It was a meeting filled with mixed emotions - Mt 28:16-17
   a. Seeing Jesus, they worshipped Him
   b. Yet some were doubtful
      1) It is unlikely this refers to the apostles, for they had seen
         Jesus earlier - cf. Jn 20:19-20,24-29
      2) This may have been the occasion where over 500 saw Him at
         once, and some may have wondered what they were seeing - cf.
         1Co 15:6

3. It was a meeting in which Jesus gave His disciples a command - Mt 28:18-20
   a. To make disciples of all the nations
   b. Baptizing and teaching them
   -- Ending with a promise to always be with them

[This command is commonly called "The Great Commission".  As we take a
few moments to look at it more closely, we may better understand what
was so "great" about it...]

I. GREAT IN ITS AUTHORITY

   A. JESUS HAS BEEN GIVEN "ALL AUTHORITY"...
      1. As the Creator, He had the original right to all things - Co 1:16-17
      2. As our Redeemer, even more so! - Php 2:6-11

   B. "ALL AUTHORITY" BOTH IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH...
      1. He now rules in the heavenly realm - 1Pe 3:22; Ep 1:20-23
      2. He also rules over the kings of the earth! - Re 1:5; Ps 2:
         1-12; 110:1-6

   C. WITH "ALL AUTHORITY" IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH...
      1. Jesus certainly deserves our obedience to Him as Lord - Ac 2:
         36; Lk 6:46
      2. Jesus certainly can deliver on His promises - 2Pe 1:2-5

[On the basis of such great authority, Jesus gives "The Great 
Commission".  As we continue, we notice that it is...]

II. GREAT IN ITS MISSION

   A. THEY WERE TO "MAKE DISCIPLES"...
      1. The KJV says "teach", the Greek word means "to make disciples"
      2. Thus they were to make "learners", "adherents", "imitators" of
         Jesus Christ
         a. Jesus had been inviting people to become His disciples all
            along - Mt 4:18-22; 11:28-30
         b. He expected His disciples to become like Him - Lk 6:40

   B. HOW THEY WERE TO "MAKE DISCIPLES"...
      1. First, by "baptizing them" in the name of the Father, Son, and
         Holy Spirit
         a. A baptism for the remission of sins - Ac 2:38; 22:16
         b. A baptism in water - Ac 8:35-38; 10:47-48
         c. A burial - Ro 6:3-6; Col 2:11-12
      2. Then by "teaching them to observe all things" He had commanded
         a. Baptism is only the beginning, teaching must continue
         b. Such was the case with the early disciples - Ac 2:41-42
      -- Both baptism and ongoing teaching is essential to true
         discipleship!

[We should also observe concerning "The Great Commission" that it
was...]

III. GREAT IN ITS SCOPE

   A. IT IS FOR "ALL NATIONS"...
      1. They were to go into all the world, and preach to every
         creature - Mk 16:15
      2. They were to be witnesses to the uttermost parts of the earth
         - Ac 1:8

   B. FOR "ALL NATIONS", NOT JUST ISRAEL...
      1. With the Limited Commission, it was just for Israel - Mt 10:
         5-6
      2. Now the Gentiles (all nations) could become fellow-heirs - Ep 2:11-22

   C. FOR "ALL NATIONS", NOT JUST OUR OWN...
      1. Jesus would have us think "globally", not just locally
      2. While we should be mindful of our local community, we should
         also be thinking of those abroad

[Finally, we note concerning "The Great Commission" that it is...]

IV. GREAT IN ITS PROMISE

   A. "I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS"...
      1. A promise similar to those Jesus made earlier:
         a. To His apostles - Mt 18:20
         b. To those who keep His commandments - Jn 14:18-23
      2. A promise similar to those God gave to:
         a. Moses - Exo 3:11-12
         b. Joshua - Josh 1:5
         c. The nation of Israel - Isa 41:10
      3. A promise that ought to provide much comfort when oppressed
         - Ro 8:31-38; He 13:5-6

   B. "EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE"...
      1. Even to the time when:
         a. The Great Harvest will occur - Mt 13:39-43
         b. The wicked shall be separated from the just - Mt 13:49
      2. Throughout this Christian age or dispensation, Jesus will
         forever be with His disciples
         a. As they go into all the world
         b. Making more disciples

CONCLUSION

1. Is "The Great Commission" limited just to the apostles?
   a. Note well that disciples were to "observe all things that I
      commanded you"
   b. What did Jesus just command the apostles? (Go therefore and make
      disciples...)
   c. Future disciples were to observe all commands, including this
      one!
   -- Therefore "The Great Commission" is a commission to the church as
      well!

2. Do we honor "The Great Commission" in our lives?  We do if we are...
   a. Submitting to the authority of Jesus
   b. Working to make disciples of Jesus
   c. Striving to make disciples in all the nations of the world
   d. Abiding in His Word and thereby ensuring His abiding presence in
      our lives

Shortly after giving "The Great Commission", Jesus ascended to heaven
(Ac 1:9-11).  His earliest disciples took that commission and did
great things with it.

May these words of Jesus motivate us to do great things in our service
to Him also!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... Alternatives To The Resurrection (Matthew 28:11-15)

                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

              Alternatives To The Resurrection (28:11-15)

INTRODUCTION

1. There are certain facts of history that no one can deny...
   a. Many people testified they saw Jesus raised from the dead
   b. These same people suffered greatly because of their testimony
   -- Such facts support the actual resurrection of Jesus from the dead

2. From the beginning, there have been alternative theories to explain
   the empty tomb...
   a. Matthew records the earliest theory: the disciples stole the body
      - Mt 28:11-15
   b. Other theories have been raised as well

3. Because of the significance of the resurrection (described in a
   previous lesson)...
   a. Those opposed to the gospel know this event must be discredited
   b. We who believe in Jesus must always be ready to provide a defense
      - 1Pe 3:15
      1) Not only why we accept the testimony of the witnesses (see
         previous lesson)
      2) But why we find alternative explanations impossible to accept

[In this study, we shall consider various "Alternatives To The
Resurrection", and why they are inadequate to explain the empty tomb.
We begin with the first explanation...]

I. THE DISCIPLES STOLE THE BODY

   A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
      1. The disciples stole the body, then claimed He rose from the
         dead
      2. This was the "official" theory offered from the very beginning
         - Mt 28:11-15

   B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
      1. The explanation defies logic
         a. If the soldiers were asleep...
            1) How did they know it was the disciples who took the
               body?
            2) How could the large stone guarding the entrance be
               rolled away without awakening the soldiers?
         b. The soldiers guarding the tomb were Romans - Mt 27:62-66
            1) They were professional soldiers
            2) Charged to guard the tomb with their lives
            3) The punishment for falling asleep on duty was death
      2. This would make those who testified they saw Jesus liars and
         frauds
         a. As we saw in the previous lesson, they claimed empirical
            evidence
         b. Suppose just a few disciples stole the body, unbeknown by
            others...
            1) Such as Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, or the women
            2) Others still say they saw Jesus, ate and drank with Him
         c. You have to explain why they were willing to lie and die
            knowing it was a lie

[The likelihood of timid disciples stealing the body of Jesus out from
under the noses of highly disciplined and skilled Roman soldiers while
they slept (an offense punishable by death) is hard to believe! Perhaps
that is why those who refuse to believe in the resurrection have
proposed alternative explanations, one being...]

II. THEY WENT TO THE WRONG TOMB

   A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
      1. The women went to the wrong tomb, and found it empty
      2. They erroneously concluded that Jesus had risen, and their
         story spread

   B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
      1. The women had been to the tomb before - Mt 27:61
      2. The religious and political leaders could have easily silenced
         the apostles' claim
         a. If the women went to the wrong tomb, then the right tomb
            was still sealed and guarded by the Roman soldiers
         b. When the apostles' created an uproar with their story of
            the resurrection of Jesus (cf. Ac 4:1-2; 5:27-33), the
            Jewish leaders could have directed people to the right tomb
            and presented the body of Jesus!
      3. You still have the testimony of the apostles to contend with

[A more popular explanation in some circles is...]

III. JESUS SWOONED AND LATER REVIVED

   A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
      1. Jesus did not actually die on the cross, He only swooned
         a. Suffering from shock, pain, and loss of blood, He fainted
            (swooned) from exhaustion
         b. Thinking that He was dead, the Roman soldiers took Him down
            and buried Him in the tomb
      2. In the coolness of the tomb, Jesus revived
         a. Somehow He left the tomb
         b. Appeared to His disciples, then lived in obscurity to die
            years later

   B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
      1. Jesus would have had to revive sufficiently enough to:
         a. Break through the burial garments that bound Him, including
            a hundred pounds of spices used in preparing His body for
            burial - Jn 19:38-40
         b. Role away the large stone that sealed the tomb
         c. Fight off the Roman guards protecting the tomb
         d. Walk the seven miles to Emmaus where He was seen by the two
            disciples
         e. Walk back to Jerusalem where He was seen by the apostles
         -- All within the same day!
      2. Every effort was made to prove He was dead
         a. The Roman soldiers at the cross pierced His side - Jn 19:
            31-34
            1) Out of which flowed blood and water
            2) An indication He was already dead, having died of a
               ruptured heart
         b. Pilate made sure He was dead - Mk 15:43-45
            1) When Joseph of Arimathea wanted the body
            2) The Roman centurion confirmed that Jesus was dead
      3. Not only would this make the apostles liars and frauds, but
         Jesus also for allowing a lie to spread for years!

[Another popular alternative explanation is...]

IV. THE DISCIPLES HAD HALLUCINATIONS OR VISIONS

   A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
      1. All of Christ's post-resurrection appearances were only
         supposed appearances
      2. Those who claimed to see Jesus had hallucinations

   B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
      1. Remember that the appearances were not just to individuals,
         one at a time
         a. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus claimed to see Him
            - Lk 24:13-35
         b. Ten apostles claimed to see Him - Jn 20:19-25
         c. He appeared to over 500 people at once - 1Co 15:6
      2. The hallucination theory contradicts laws and principles which
         psychiatrists say are essential to hallucinations:
         a. Only certain kinds of people have hallucinations
            1) These are usually high-strung, highly imaginative, and
               very nervous people
            2) Usually only paranoid or schizophrenic individuals have
               hallucinations
            3) The appearances were not restricted to people of any
               particular psychological make up
         b. Hallucinations are linked in an individual's subconscious
            1) An individual may have an hallucination
            2) But hallucinations do not appear to groups of people
         c. They occur in people when there is a spirit of anticipation
            or hopeful expectation
            1) The disciples had no such anticipation - Lk 24:13-21
            2) They were prone to disbelieve even after they were told
               of the resurrection - Jn 20:24-25

[Then there is the theory that...]

V. SOMEONE IMPERSONATED JESUS

   A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
      1. The appearances were not really Christ at all, but someone
         impersonating Him
      2. This is evident because in some cases they did not recognize
         Him at first

   B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
      1. The disciples were reluctant to believe in the resurrection
         a. Some were doubtful, such as Thomas - Jn 20:24-25
         b. It would have been hard to convince them unless it was
            really Him
      2. It would have been impossible to impersonate Christ's wounds
         a. This was Christ's proof it was really Him - Jn 20:26-27
         b. Which convinced doubting Thomas - Jn 20:28-29
      3. The apostles traveled with Jesus for three years
         a. It is incredible that anyone could have gotten away with an
            impersonation
         b. Which is why the apostles were witnesses of the 
            resurrection - Ac 10:39-41
      4. The one claiming to be Jesus performed miracles
         a. Suddenly appearing in locked rooms - Jn 20:19
         b. Directing them how to catch fish - Jn 21:1-7

[Closely related to this would be the theory that...]

VI. SOMEONE WAS MISTAKEN FOR JESUS

   A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
      1. The disciples simply mistook for Jesus someone who looked like
         Him
      2. For example, the women mistook the gardener for Jesus - Jn 20:
         14-15

   B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
      1. The same problems as with the impersonation theory
         a. Disciples reluctant to believe in the resurrection
         b. Impossible to recreate the wounds of Jesus
         c. Ample time with Jesus to verify His identity
      2. While Mary may have mistaken Jesus for the gardener, she was
         able to look through her grief and recognize who He was

[Finally, here is an alternative proposed by some theologians who just
cannot accept the idea of a physical, bodily resurrection...]

VII. IT WAS ONLY A SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION

   A. ELEMENTS OF THIS THEORY...
      1. Christ's resurrection was not a real physical resurrection
      2. Christ's body remained in the grave and His real resurrection
         was spiritual in nature
      3. It was only told this way to illustrate the truth of spiritual
         resurrection

   B. PROBLEMS WITH THIS THEORY...
      1. If it was only a spiritual resurrection, what happened to the
         body?
         a. The enemies of Christ were never able to produce a body
         b. Which they would have gladly done to discredit the apostles
      2. Again, the nature of the apostles' testimony is empirical:
         they ate and drank with Him, touched Him - Lk 24:36-43; Ac 10:
         39-41; 1Jn 1:1-2
      3. Paul argued a bodily resurrection of Jesus as evidence for our
         own bodily resurrection - 1Co 15:12-58

CONCLUSION

1. The resurrection of Jesus has been variously interpreted as...
   a. A great hoax (the resurrection is false)
   b. Mythology (the resurrection is fiction)
   -- Therefore various alternatives have been proposed to explain the
      empty tomb

2. But there is only one interpretation worth accepting...
   a. It is the supreme event of history (the resurrection is fact)
   b. Supported by empirical testimony provided by reliable witnesses
   c. With implications of great significance for both unbeliever and
      believer alike

When you consider the strength of the apostles' testimony, and contrast
it with the weakness of the alternative explanations that have been
proposed, it leads an honest person in only one direction:  to faith in
Jesus Christ as the Son of God...

   "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His
   disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are
   written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son
   of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
                                                     (Jn 20:30-31)

Are you willing to believe in Jesus, that you might have life in His
name?  Then heed the words of the apostle Peter proclaimed in the first
gospel sermon:

   "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God
   has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
   Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said
   to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what
   shall we do?"  Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every
   one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
   remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
   Spirit.  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to
   all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
                                                       (Ac 2:36-39)

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... A sign of "truth" or a "sign of the times"?


The truth is often unpleasant. And there are many who just want to hear what they want to hear and that is all they want to hear. If you survey the signs, you will probably see something familiar and perhaps even something you may have thought or felt.  When The Truth of the Gospel is not stressed and something else is introduced as a priority- then there are problems.  Galatians chapter two tells of a problem that Paul faced.

Galatians, Chapter 2
 1 Then after a period of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus also with me.  2 I went up by revelation, and I laid before them the Good News which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately before those who were respected, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain.  3 But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.  4 This was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who stole in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage;  5 to whom we gave no place in the way of subjection, not for an hour, that the truth of the Good News might continue with you.  6 But from those who were reputed to be important (whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God doesn’t show partiality to man)—they, I say, who were respected imparted nothing to me,  7 but to the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the Good News for the uncircumcision, even as Peter with the Good News for the circumcision  8 (for he who appointed Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision appointed me also to the Gentiles);  9 and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.  10 They only asked us to remember the poor—which very thing I was also zealous to do. 

  11  But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face, because he stood condemned.  12 For before some people came from James, he ate with the Gentiles. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.  13 And the rest of the Jews joined him in his hypocrisy; so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.  14 But when I saw that they didn’t walk uprightly according to the truth of the Good News, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live as the Gentiles do, and not as the Jews do, why do you compel the Gentiles to live as the Jews do? 

  15  “We, being Jews by nature, and not Gentile sinners,  16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.  17 But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a servant of sin? Certainly not!  18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a law-breaker.  19 For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.  20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.  21 I don’t make void the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!” 

Paul dealt with the problem of justification by the law (that is- a works based system) head on. He confronted even one of the "lead" apostles to his face.  Jesus' Gospel can only be Good News if it is solely Jesus' Good News!! But, make no mistake- Jesus' Good News is just that- Good News!!! We have no right to change it or emphasize what Jesus did not stress!!! Why? Because Jesus Christ is LORD!!! He and HE ALONE is LORD!!!  We are mere slaves to God and WE DO NOT PROCLAIM OUR MESSAGE, BUT GOD'S!!!!   If you are secretly carrying around a sign like one of these- ditch it now!!!  Ultimately, you will be glad you did!!!!