WHAT? JESUS CONQUERED DEATH?
John Stone
“Jesus Conquered Death.” That is the standard mantra of Christian evangelicals. As usual, Christian clergy make a claim that they know cannot be proven one way or another. This reminds me of what George Constanza, 1 that great American sage, said: "Remember Jerry, it's not a lie if you really believe it's true".
So, Jesus conquering death all boils down to history and logic (facts) vs. blind-faith (fiction). Who do Christians really trust for their hope/blind-faith on this issue? Primarily it is the New Testament character Paul. According to the Christian bible, the New Testament), Paul is a guy who never met Jesus; he was never Jesus’ disciple; and he admitted that he would lie to anyone to make his case about Jesus.
In Paul’s own letters, he proudly wrote that he was willing to distort the truth ― aka lie!
“If through my lies God’s truth abounds to His glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?” (Romans 3:7 King James Version (KJV))
“In every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Jesus is proclaimed and in that I rejoice”. (Philippians 1:18)
So, let’s look at exactly what this admitter liar had to say:
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
First of all, this one verse tells a lot. First, Paul never thought of Jesus as God or even being part of the Godhead. Second, the reader can clearly see that all this was just Paul’s personal thoughts of what he thought happened to Jesus. Remember: Paul never met Jesus; never saw him; never was a disciple; was never on the scene at the time of Jesus ― not at any time. Paul had NO first hand information ― nada, zip, zero, nil!
How did Jesus, the man conquer death? Paul just said it was not Jesus’ power but it was God, the Father that had the power, not Jesus to conquer death.
”Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more
dominion over him.” (Romans 6:9)
Half of this statement is true; once someone dies death has no more power over him. However, the Christian New International Version Study Bible (NIV) gives a voodoo spin on this by saying: “As resurrection followed death in the experience of Christ, so the believer who dies with Christ is raised to a sense of a new quality of moral life here and now. Resurrection in the sense of a new birth is already a fact and it increasingly exerts itself in the believer’s life.” Hmmm, I believe death still has dominion over a believer; he must die! The NIV hedges this fact by hyping a “quality” of life. Funny, all of this because of something a stranger supposedly wrote ay an unknown time about events happening years before — of which he did not witness. No wonder the pulpit demands “blind-faith” of their flock of sheeple.
Again Paul (the NT) is saying pretty things that he knows cannot be proven. THINK! What does Jesus dying have to do with anyone leading a moral life? Without the crutch of Jesus, the Christian would not lead any moral life? That sure doesn’t tell much of that Christian. What this statement tells us – these Christians, who happen to be ex-pagan Gentiles would have lead evil lives, and because of Jesus’ death, they now lead moral lives. Then why do they go every Sunday to confess their sins for the week?
”For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must
put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass
the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave,
where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15: 53-55)
This is such a stupid statement to make. Ask any Christian who is dying about the “sting” of death. What so-called “victory?” These poor souls are dying and will soon be dead!
What Victory – they will be dead! DEATH WILL WIN – the Jesus lover will be dead. You keep score.
“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10)
Again Paul makes the same stupid statement to ignorant people. How in the world did Jesus abolish death? Please stop and answer this idiotic statement of Paul’s. The Christian NIV Study Bible passes over this verse – they have no answer.
”Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of
death: because it was not possible that he should be
holden of it.” (Act 2:24)
Again, the Christian NIV Study Bible skips over this verse – what can they possible say that would make any sense to a person who uses his head for something besides a hat rack?
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18)
I think not. However, this is an interesting event. Supposedly this dead-man talking was revealed to “John” by an angel ― not Jesus. No one knows who wrote this book (Revelation); or when; or which John; or anything at all that is concrete or verifiable. It is simply the early church’s guess that this revelation is to “John,” Jesus’ apostle. The New Testament has three books they assign as written by the same John, the apostle. It is very strange, that in those three books, John never wrote about his “once in a life time, earth shattering” event ― talking to an angel sent by Jesus who told of the dead-man Jesus who had returned from the dead.
Since death and going to heaven is one of the central themes in Christianity, one would think John would have been asking Jesus’ angel much about what happened after he died; where did he go and what it like was. But no! Nothing! All that was spoken in Revelation was just theory ― nothing at all personal. WHY?
You’d think people would want to know.
Footnotes:
1. George Constanza, a character in The Jerry Seinfeld Show; played by Jason Alexander
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