For your Sunday enjoyment. Religion is another facet I hope to bring to the WE, and certainly in particular the goodness and the history of the West’s religion, Christianity.
The Old Testament contains over 300 specific prophecies pertaining to the coming of Christ to Earth. These prophecies constitute absolute proof for the inspiration of the New Testament, since the Old Testament is easily verified to have been completed centuries before Christ’s advent. Indeed, eight centuries before Jesus Christ arrived on the planet, the prophet Isaiah predicted and described His coming in detail. For example, in a strongly Messianic section of his oracles, Isaiah described the mistreatment of the Christ would endure at the hands of His enemies: “I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6).
Observe the specificity of this prophetic utterance. Among other things, the prophecy predicted that Jesus would endure a physical ordeal that included being spit upon. Such a bold, forthright allusion is certainly daring—if the predictor is merely guessing. Nevertheless, this prediction was minutely fulfilled some 700 years later, as recorded in the New Testament. Matthew records that at His trial before the Jewish high priest, unnamed individuals “spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands, saying, ‘Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?’” (Matthew 26:67; cf. Mark 14:65). Some hours later, under the authority of the procurator Pontius Pilate, Roman soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium, where the entire garrison of soldiers subjected Him to numerous indignities, including being stripped of clothing, having a crown of thorns pressed down upon His head, and being mercilessly mocked. “Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head” (Matthew 27:30; cf. Mark 15:19). Incredibly, Jesus even predicted His mistreatment, including the spitting, before it happened (Mark 10:34; Luke 18:32).
How could a man writing 700 years earlier predict something as minute as one person spitting on another? And keep in mind that the two separate occurrences (one before the high priest and the other before the Romans) were committed by perpetrators who were not the least interested in fulfilling prophecy. To predict hundreds of years in advance that someone would spit on Jesus is proof of Bible inspiration. Isaiah and the rest of the writers of the Bible demonstrate that they functioned under the superhuman, overruling power and influence of the Holy Spirit. They were guided by the God of the Universe. (Apologetics Press)
“Observe the specificity of this prophetic utterance”
The specifity seen is mind-boggling, and no random prediction could have been so specific.
Johnson C. Philip, PhD (Physics)
India
Great post. Relgion is certainly a very important part of what made Western civilization what it is.
The picture seems so appropriate. Reminds me of a Latin phrase: A cruce salus – From the cross comes salvation.
Indeed, Jason, I am pleased to read this post. It makes me happy to learn that someone whom I respect is a believer.
And in our study of the OT our pastor always pointed out the prophesies to the coming of the Christ. The author of the post you quote is correct, the specificity thoughout the OT is amazing. Just as important it’s never contradicted by prophesy that does not happen.
I’ve often thought about blogging on the Bible, and even thought about setting up a separate website dedicated solely to it. There’s nothing like having to write to make you remember something, and to force you to get your own thoughts in order. But the demands of work and volunteer groups, to say nothing of family, preclude such an endeavor. Maybe some day.
“the goodness and the history of the West’s religion, Christianity.”
A bit presumptuous don’t you think? “The West’s religion.” Is that anonther exclusive utternace you seem to typtify through out your little blog? The wonders of the West and perfection in American exceptionalism?
I guess you think, Hindus, Butist, Muslims and, oh yeah lets not forget Jews, are going to that place you call Hell.
While we’re on the subject do you consider the Crusades to be a part of that goodness, or just the history portion of Christianity. Come to think of it…wouldn’t we consider those crusaders terrorist?
Do tell…
All, (minus Eugenius)
Thanks for the approval and am glad everyone enjoyed the new addition.
To the good Doctor, thanks for stopping by and I visited your website by the way. Very instructive.
Jeff thanks for the quote!
Tom, I’m glad you read it and enjoyed it. I am a practicing and active Christian believer. I had a pretty good turn around when I was 26. I’m 30 now and feel like I’m just hitting my stride mentally and spiritually. I’ve thought about doing the same thing with a blog…I just haven’t.
Eugenius,
Do you expect me to get in some kind of exchange with you? You do realize that none of those points are original and rather kindergarten-ish. In fact, the whole rant sound pretty lazy. Your search for relativity was indeed amateurish.
At any rate, I bet you are an American. Probably of Anglo origin or at least Western European decent. I know this because I’ve come across plenty of self-hating white people-Americans-Western-products who use all the same talking points. Had you said anything original or thought provoking, I would have considered obliging you in a discussion.
My advise…go sharpen your steel some more.
Spoken like a coward. Which is it you don’t know enough about your own religion and its “precious” history to defend it?
And shouldn’t you be trying to convert me instead of leaving me a snotty reply? Are you sure you know anything about Christianity Mr. Western Experience.
And by the way, yes I am a white american and I’m sure my blood line goes back to Europe somewhere. What the hell does that have to do with anything? Am I supposed to believe in caveman rites just because I get sunburned in the summer?
Genius…
Thanks for visiting the WE. However, if you would like to have grown-up discussions and share thoughts here is a tip. Don’t make your very first post a smug and hostile one. It sets a wrong tone for everyone. Your second comment only escalated the situation. It was all very uncalled for.
You don’t have to come back. We can disagree all day long but don’t leave another comment unless it is thoughtful and intelligent. That is all I ask. If not, I’ll block you. It is as simple as that.
Eugenius have you ever disagreed with anyone without being a smug prick? You should try it sometime. Unless you aim to stay ignorant and cynical the rest of your life.
I have great respect for those who are sincere practitioners of Christianity. I respect the many good things that Christians have done and continue to do.
Having said that, and with complete respect for the Christian faith, it does not strike me as a stunning achievement to have written the New Testament in such a way as to make sure that the Jesus it depicts carefully fulfills the prophecies that the NT authors were completely aware of.
If the what the Gospels describe happened exactly as written, then the truth of Christianity is self-evident. If not, then relying on the Gospels for the evidence of Jesus as the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy is hardly a compelling case.
Again, I’m not trying to offend anyone here or talk anyone out of their religion. But as a “friendly” non-Christian, I do not find the argument persuasive.
See that Eugenius…that is what you call a thoughtful critique…Intellectual differences on the validity of Christianity with opposite assumptions on the role of God in the universe and towards mankind.
You did not come close to offending anyone Sanity. As those are all valid points. At one point, I shared those exact thoughts.
You should really consider making time this year and read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. If you don’t know that much about him already, you should really do a little research on this intellectual giant who came to faith later in life and became one of the biggest Christian advocates of all time.
I challenge you to read it without seriously rethinking many thing in life…It is that good. I felt stupid and unfortunate for not having read it earlier than what I did.
Jason – Actually, I have read “Mere Christianity”. Arguably one of the best, if not *the* best, Christian apologetic ever. I’m surprised more Christians haven’t read it.
Agreed on all points.
I’m not surprised you have read it.