Tuesday, November 02, 2004
A good insight into how strongly our opinions and presuppositions shape our beliefs can be found in the conspiracy launched by the priesthood/Sadducees to cover up the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To see this you need to look at Matthew chapter 28 verses 11-15 and Acts 4:1-22. It is not too much to read so take a look.
The key points are that when Matthew wrote his recollection of Jesus' life some 20-30 years after the resurrection, the official story was based on the conspiracy recorded in his book. The guards were bribed to cover up what they had seen and claim the apostles stole Christ's body.
The events of Acts 4 took place 2 months after the resurrection and even though the official version was the theft, the priest did not use it on the apostles. Why?
I suggest it was because both parties knew is was not true and both parties knew the other side knew this. Strong proof that the priest and Sadducees knowing suppressed the truth to protect their political positions.
If they could purposely practice such self deception should we not be very careful to make sure we have a rational basis for what we believe? Fashionable skepticism may be cool, but it can kill you.
The key points are that when Matthew wrote his recollection of Jesus' life some 20-30 years after the resurrection, the official story was based on the conspiracy recorded in his book. The guards were bribed to cover up what they had seen and claim the apostles stole Christ's body.
The events of Acts 4 took place 2 months after the resurrection and even though the official version was the theft, the priest did not use it on the apostles. Why?
I suggest it was because both parties knew is was not true and both parties knew the other side knew this. Strong proof that the priest and Sadducees knowing suppressed the truth to protect their political positions.
If they could purposely practice such self deception should we not be very careful to make sure we have a rational basis for what we believe? Fashionable skepticism may be cool, but it can kill you.
