***The idea that there is no objective proof because Jesus did not go back to the Temple and confront the hierarchy of the Jews is denying all the other evidence. Why would he go back to them. Jesus did not come to correct the deformed hierarchy of the day. He came to save those the Father had given him.***
May I step in here, kosta?
I think that kosta is trying to say that while there is evidence, there is not the overwhelming proof that would stop a mule in his traces and immediately start walking on the Way. We BELIEVE.
We have a lot of evidence for that belief, but there is not the overwhelming proof. That is what makes the heresy of Gnosticism so appealing. It provides one with a false sense of proof. We attempted to eradicate it beginning in the first century, but it keep coming back because it appeals to so many. We cannot give in to it because it is wrong and because it was declared heresy by the Church.
Of course, you may, and thank you. You read what I wrote correctly: we believe.
A proof is overwhelming evidence. It doesn't take much for a child to learn that hot oven is not something to touch.
As you said, there is no such train-stopping evidence when it comes to things biblical. It simply must be believed, for no reason whatsoever. If I were to follow my reason I wouldn't believe, certainly not based on evidence presented by some "official" God's moutpieces.
That's why quoting the Bible proves nothing. The Bible doesn't give you faith. The Bible is meaningful only to those who already believe. It clarifies and puts thing in perspective.
It doesn't make one "know" more than what he or she already believes. It doesn't provide the seal of authenticity for something that has already been authenticated in your heart.
Christians go to church to pray to and praise the Lord, to thank Him for His abundance of blessings and to ask Him to help us stay in His light.
We read from the Gospels as lessons of humility and love, of mercy and of acts that we should imitate in our daily lives.
We don't "proof text" the Bible for veracity to gain further "knowledge" of God so that we can become His mouthpieces. Our acts, how we live, will show that God is in our life more than words will. and they will carry the message louder than the words.
Let's just remember that those Christians who died in Roman pogroms probably could not quote a single verse, let alone have the whole Bible memorized. But, they believed, and probably more than the modern-day Pharisees do.
Then leave that Assembly that claims to be the keeper of all the secret mysteries and come join us Born Again Christians in the joy of being saved by Grace Alone through Faith Alone in Christ Alone.
The overwhelming evidence is there.
We know from non Christian sources that Jesus was Crucified. We have guards at the tomb who are not Christians and who could be severely punished for failing in their duty yet the tomb is empty. We have hundreds of witnesses. We have disciples who were transformed into roaring lions for GOD willing to suffer terrible persecution. The transformation of Paul. The spread of Christianity with no hierarchy, no state approval and periods of terrible persecution. All this is testimony to the actual events.
THE GOSPEL would have been quickly discredited if it weren't true. All this occurred before any hierarchy was created to tell anyone about it's truth.
John 20:29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."