If Christ is not risen

[Yolande]

Do you aree?

And do you agree that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead?

And if you believe He has was risen from the dead, where is He now?

And how is that supposed to make a difference in people's lives if He was?

“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up; if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.�
     -1 Corinthians 15:14-19 (NKJV)

Please share your thoughts on these questions and also on the statement from Paul.

[McCulloch]

Do you agree?

I disagree and agree. Jesus himself seemed to have a message with meaning (something about the kingdom of God) which he and his followers spread as much as they could, without the benefit of preaching about his resurrection. On the other hand, it has been argued that what Jesus taught was not anything like what eventually became known as Christianity, which does seem to depend on the idea of Christ's resurrection.

And do you agree that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead?

Literally, no. Got any evidence to the contrary?

And if you believe He has was risen from the dead, where is He now?

Not applicable. I don't believe that Jesus was risen from the dead.

And how is that supposed to make a difference in people's lives if He was?

The concept of the resurrection of Jesus makes several differences in believers' lives:

• Jesus' resurrection, if true, demonstrates that death is not final, allowing the believer to focus on the eternal consequences rather than on merely this life.
• Jesus' resurrection, if true, demonstrates the power of God, allowing the believer to trust that God will fulfill his promises.
• If death is a consequence of sin, Jesus' resurrection represents to the believer the forgiveness of sins by God.

[kayky]

Do you aree?

I do agree.

And do you agree that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead?

Christ has risen in the heart of each believer.

And if you believe He has was risen from the dead, where is He now?

If you are talking about Jesus, he died 2000 years ago. I doubt if there's anything left at this point.

And how is that supposed to make a difference in people's lives if He was?

The Christ experience has a transformative effect, making a life of love possible.

“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up; if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.�
     -1 Corinthians 15:14-19 (NKJV)

If we cannot realize our own Christhood, then we are stuck with our self-created egos and a life based on ignorance and fear.

[JoeyKnothead]

From the OP:

(If Christ is not risen...then Christianity would have no message at all)
Do you agree?

I challenge anyone to offer verifiable evidence Jesus arose from the dead after three days.

I don't see such a problem with teachings without a risen Christ, except for lack of evidence of so many claims. A moral message or other guide doesn't need a god to be valid, IMO.

And do you agree that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead?

No. Based on physical / medical properties in the here and now, and the lack of evidence for a risen Jesus.

See challenge above.

And if you believe He has was risen from the dead, where is He now?

I don't believe he was "risen", and frankly don't care what He does as long as His adherents leave me alone. (of course debate is a separate issue I suppose)

And how is that supposed to make a difference in people's lives if He was?

If verifiable evidence exists to show a risen Christ, I'd probably go to praying with the best of 'em.

-1 Corinthians 15:14-19 (NKJV)

Bible quotes to support Biblical concepts are nothing new.

I challenge anyone who claims Jesus was "risen" to offer verifiable evidence they speak truth.

Do you claim Jesus was "risen"?

[Scotracer]

A tale doesn't have to be literally true for it to carry a message. The bible holds some symbolic merit in the metaphors alone...although I find them not particularly moral. Most novels carry a message of some sorts and most of them are not true.

You could see the story of Jesus dying for humanity as a showing of his love for humanity (but not Gods' since he's a malevolent ass). Someone willing to do so much for someone/something they love. The resurrection part of it kind of ruins that as he doesn't actually "lose" anything. But hey, it's not like the bible hasn't be picked and chosen to suit ideas.

Do I agree that Jesus rose from the dead? Of course not - something that miraculous requires more evidence than is probably available and as such I am perfectly within my rights to say it never happened. I mean, the only thing we really have to go on is the word of some hysterical, illiterate women (remember in those days women weren't even allowed to speak in Church)...and we're just supposed to take that on face value?

[I AM ALL I AM]

G'day Yolande.

Do you aree?

With what ?

You haven't proposed anything prior to this question.

And do you agree that Jesus Christ was risen from the dead?

I've seen no evidence to show that he did.

And if you believe He has was risen from the dead, where is He now?

Apparently he's answering questions here ...

http://www.answermejesus.com/ask.asp

And how is that supposed to make a difference in people's lives if He was?

“And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up; if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.�
     -1 Corinthians 15:14-19 (NKJV)

Please share your thoughts on these questions and also on the statement from Paul.

It hasn't been shown that he did, so until it is, any answer to this question would merely be a guess.

Paul : "... Christ is not risen ...our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty ... we are found false witnesses of God ... in fact the dead do not rise ... the dead do not rise ...Christ is not risen ... Christ is not risen, your faith is futile ... Christ have perished ..."

It seems that there is a message in "Paul".

[Yolande]

What do you think Jesus meant when He said in John 11:25
"I am the resurrection and the life"

And Paul when He said in Phil 3:10
"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection"

[McCulloch]

What do you think Jesus meant when He said in John 11:25
"I am the resurrection and the life"

And Paul when He said in Phil 3:10
"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection"

But it is not known that Jesus said any such thing. John, writing long after Jesus' death put those words into his character Jesus' mouth.

[Scotracer]

What do you think Jesus meant when He said in John 11:25
"I am the resurrection and the life"

And Paul when He said in Phil 3:10
"that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection"

#1...well, this just confirms the theory that he saw himself as the only way to god. He is the only way to "life". "I am the resurrection" could refer to him being the "new" Moses or just another reference to him being the only way to live after death.

#2...See above.

[Yolande]

Do you agree?

I disagree and agree. Jesus himself seemed to have a message with meaning (something about the kingdom of God) which he and his followers spread as much as they could, without the benefit of preaching about his resurrection. On the other hand, it has been argued that what Jesus taught was not anything like what eventually became known as Christianity, which does seem to depend on the idea of Christ's resurrection.

What do you think is the things Jesus taught and said if it isn't the things in the bible?
And do you think that Christianity could possibly have anything to it for anybody if you believe Jesus didn't rise from the dead and also that the bible tells us all kinds of things He said which He never said?
And what is the difference you think between the message of today's Christians and that of those days?
In fact, what do you think, if you have to summarise, is the authentic message of Christianity? What hope does it bring other than for example Eastern religions that believes that living a good life will give you a better future in the afterlife?