Faith

What Does AI Say About the Resurrection of Jesus

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most important events in Christianity.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 15, 2023

News Staff

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With all of the controversy about ChatGPT and other AI resources, and with Easter coming up, I figured I would ask ChatGPT to make the case for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here’s what came back…

Me: Write a 2000 word article making the case for the resurrection of Jesus

ChatGPT:

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most important events in Christianity. It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, and it is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions. The resurrection is also one of the most debated and contested events in human history. There are those who believe that Jesus never rose from the dead, and there are those who believe that He did. In this article, we will make the case for the resurrection of Jesus, and explore the evidence that supports this claim.

First, let us examine the historical evidence for the resurrection. The Gospels, which are the primary source for the life and teachings of Jesus, all report that He was crucified and buried in a tomb. The Gospel of Mark reports that on the morning after the Sabbath, three women went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, but they found the tomb empty. An angel appeared to them and told them that Jesus had risen from the dead. The other three Gospels, Matthew, Luke, and John, all report similar events.

Now, it is important to note that the Gospels were written by men who were followers of Jesus. They were not historians, nor were they eyewitnesses to the events they describe. However, their accounts are consistent with one another, and they are corroborated by other sources. For example, the Jewish historian Josephus, who lived in the first century, wrote about Jesus and His followers. He reported that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate, and that His followers claimed that He had risen from the dead. He also wrote that the followers of Jesus continued to exist and spread throughout the world, even after His death.

Another source that corroborates the Gospels is the letters of the apostle Paul. Paul was a contemporary of Jesus, and he was a zealous persecutor of the early Christian church. However, he had a dramatic conversion experience and became a follower of Jesus. He later became one of the most influential leaders of the early church, and he wrote several letters to the churches he founded. In his letters, Paul repeatedly refers to the resurrection of Jesus, and he claims that he himself had seen the risen Christ.

The evidence from the Gospels, Josephus, and Paul, while important, is not conclusive. Skeptics have raised a number of objections to the resurrection account. One objection is that the disciples of Jesus could have simply stolen His body and then claimed that He had risen from the dead. However, this theory is highly unlikely. First, the disciples were not expecting Jesus to rise from the dead. They had no motive to steal His body and then claim that He had risen. Second, the tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers. It is highly unlikely that a group of untrained fishermen could have overcome trained soldiers and stolen the body. Finally, if the disciples had stolen the body, the Jewish authorities would have produced it to disprove the resurrection claim.

Another objection to the resurrection is that the witnesses who claimed to have seen the risen Christ were hallucinating. However, this theory also does not hold up to scrutiny. The witnesses were not expecting to see Jesus. They were not in a heightened emotional state, and they were not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In addition, the accounts of the witnesses are consistent with one another, and they are corroborated by other sources.

A third objection is that the resurrection story was simply a legend that developed over time. However, this theory also does not fit the facts. The Gospels were written within decades of the events they describe, and they were written by people who were in a position to know the truth. In addition, the early Christian church was built on the belief in the resurrection. If the resurrection were simply a legend, it is unlikely that so many people would have risked persecution and even death to spread this belief.

There is also evidence that the early Christians believed in the resurrection from the very beginning. For example, the apostle Paul, who was a contemporary of Jesus, wrote in his letter to the Corinthians that he received the belief in the resurrection from other early Christians. This suggests that the belief in the resurrection was not a later development, but was part of the original Christian message.

Another argument for the resurrection is the transformation of the disciples. Before the crucifixion, the disciples were afraid, confused, and disheartened. They had put all their hopes in Jesus, and when He was arrested and executed, they were devastated. However, after the resurrection, the disciples were transformed. They were fearless, bold, and joyful. They began to preach the message of Jesus, even in the face of persecution and death. This transformation is difficult to explain if the resurrection did not happen.

Finally, the resurrection of Jesus has profound implications for our understanding of God, humanity, and the world. The resurrection shows that God is not distant and indifferent, but is intimately involved in human history. It also shows that death is not the final word, but that there is hope beyond the grave. The resurrection also gives us a vision of a new kind of humanity, one that is not bound by sin, death, and suffering. The resurrection is the foundation of the Christian hope that one day, God will make all things new.

In conclusion, while there may be objections and challenges to the resurrection of Jesus, the evidence in favor of it is strong. The historical accounts of the Gospels, the writings of Josephus and Paul, the transformation of the disciples, and the profound implications of the resurrection all point to the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. The resurrection is not just a historical event, but a powerful and transformative message of hope that continues to inspire and transform lives today. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith, and without it, Christianity would not exist. The evidence for the resurrection is not something that can be proven beyond a doubt, but it is compelling enough to make a reasonable case for it. Ultimately, whether or not one believes in the resurrection of Jesus is a matter of faith. However, the evidence in favor of the resurrection should not be dismissed lightly, and it is something that every seeker of truth should carefully consider.

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Faith

This is What Makes Jesus Cry

As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.

Published

2 days ago

March 28, 2023

News Staff

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it.” Luke 19:41

I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that Jesus cried on the number of occasions. Particularly this instance, where he wept, when seeing the city of Jerusalem. What was Jesus crying about? In fact, he wasn’t just crying, the Greek word for “wept” in this passage, literally means to well allowed as opposed to the use of the word wept in another passage, that means to “cry quietly.” So Jesus was wailing over the city. But why?

Verse 44 gives us the answer, speaking to the Israelites: “because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

And therein is the answer. Jesus just wants His people to recognize Him, to come to Him, to receive Him, to give their lives to Him, and to accept the salvation that He brings.

I imagine that Jesus feels the same way today. Jesus is waiting for our world to receive Him. Life would be so much better for everyone if they simply gave their lives to the Lord. Yet in our rebelliousness, we continue to lead our own lives in the way that we want. Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

We think that we will be set free yet what we find is bondage.

Free sex! Yet it results in bondage.
Get drunk! Bondage.
Take advantage of others! Bondage.

And on and on.

Proverbs 14:12 warns us that there is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. In our modern world, we are bombarded with various ways and ideologies that promise happiness, success, and fulfillment. However, many of these ways lead to death, both literally and figuratively.

One way that leads to death is the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. Our society places a high value on money and material goods, and many people believe that accumulating wealth will bring them happiness and security. However, the Bible tells us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10), and that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). When we prioritize wealth over God and others, we become selfish and greedy, and this can lead to broken relationships and a sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction.

Another way that leads to death is the pursuit of pleasure and instant gratification. Our culture encourages us to seek pleasure in various forms, whether it be through substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, or other vices. However, these pursuits often lead to addiction, brokenness, and ultimately, physical and spiritual death. As the Bible warns us, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).

In contrast to the ways of the world, the Bible offers us a different way of life that leads to true and lasting fulfillment. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). When we surrender our lives to Jesus and follow His teachings, we discover a way of life that is marked by love, joy, peace, and eternal life. Let us choose the narrow path that leads to life, rather than the wide path that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

Back to Luke 19:41, where we see Jesus weeping over the city of Jerusalem. He knew that the city would reject him and suffer destruction. Jesus’ tears were a reflection of his deep love and compassion for the people, despite their rejection of him.

Likewise, we live in a world that is broken and hurting. We see the effects of sin all around us, including poverty, injustice, violence, and sickness. It can be easy to become overwhelmed or even desensitized to the pain and suffering in our world. However, we are called to have compassion on the world around us, just as Jesus did.

Compassion means to suffer with or empathize with those who are hurting. When we have compassion, we are moved to action. We seek to alleviate the suffering of others and bring hope and healing to those who are in need. We can do this by serving those who are less fortunate, advocating for justice, and sharing the love of Jesus with those who are lost.

However, true compassion requires more than just a one-time act of service or charity. It requires a lifestyle of love and sacrifice. It means being willing to inconvenience ourselves for the sake of others and to stand up for what is right, even when it is not popular.

As we seek to have compassion on the world around us, we can take comfort in knowing that we are not alone. Jesus himself is with us, weeping over the brokenness of our world and inviting us to join him in bringing healing and hope to all those who are hurting.

Ultimately the goal is salvation for the world. In fact, that is what produces joy in the heart of the Lord. There is no weeping when a sinner repents.

In Luke 15:7, Jesus says, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” This passage reveals God’s heart for the lost and His joy when sinners turn to him in repentance.

God is not indifferent or angry towards sinners; rather, He longs for them to come back to Him. When we turn away from sin and towards God, we experience His forgiveness, love, and grace. And when we do, God rejoices over us, just as a shepherd rejoices over a lost sheep that is found.

This passage reminds us that no matter how far we may have strayed from God, there is always hope for restoration and reconciliation. We can never be too far gone for God’s love and grace to reach us. When we turn to God in repentance, we are welcomed with open arms and celebrated by heaven.

Let us take heart in the fact that God rejoices over sinners who repent. Let us be people who are quick to repent and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that He is always ready and willing to receive us back into his loving embrace.

And let our message to the world be that God loves them and that His plan is a good one for their lives!

Faith

BIBLE: Will America Be Significant in the End Times?

Many believe that the United States will not play a significant role in the end times.

Published

1 week ago

March 21, 2023

News Staff

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As Christians, we believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ and the end of the world. Throughout history, people have pointed to various signs that they believe indicate that the end times are upon us. In this article, we will explore some of the biblical signs that suggest we are living in the end times, as well as address the question of why America is not a significant player in the world during this time.

Increase in natural disasters such as earthquakes, famines, and pestilences. In Luke 21:11, Jesus said, “There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” Today, we can see an increase in natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and earthquakes, which are happening more frequently and with greater intensity.

The increase in wars and conflicts. In Matthew 24:6, Jesus warned that “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.” We have seen this prophecy fulfilled in our lifetime, with numerous conflicts around the world, including in Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan. These conflicts have resulted in the displacement of millions of people, as well as the loss of countless lives.

The rise of false prophets and the increase in lawlessness. In Matthew 24:11-12, Jesus said, “Many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” Today, we see an increase in false teachings, cults, and religious movements that contradict the teachings of the Bible. Additionally, there is a rise in lawlessness, with increasing crime rates and civil unrest in many parts of the world.

The increase in persecution of Christians. In Matthew 24:9, Jesus said, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” Today, we see an increase in persecution of Christians in many parts of the world, with Christians facing discrimination, imprisonment, and even death for their faith.

The moral decline of society is another sign of the end times. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul describes the state of society in the last days: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”

The rebirth of Israel. In Matthew 24:32-33, Jesus said, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” The fig tree is often used in the Bible as a symbol for Israel, and the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948 is a significant sign of the end times.

What about America?

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Many pastors and theologians believe that America will not play a significant role in the end times. They base this belief on several Scriptures, including Revelation 13, which describes a future world government, the Beast, and a world leader, the Antichrist, who will rule over it. Many theologians believe that this world government will not be centered in the United States.

In addition to Scriptural evidence, many famous preachers, teachers, and authors have also expressed this viewpoint. For example, John F. Walvoord, a prominent theologian, wrote in his book, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ,” that the United States is not mentioned in the Scriptures and therefore may not play a significant role in the end times.

Likewise, pastor and author David Jeremiah, in his book “Escape the Coming Night,” wrote that the United States “may not be a significant player on the world scene” during the end times.

Even Billy Graham, in a sermon he delivered in 1958, said, “I believe that one of the signs of the times is that the United States will begin to move into a position where we will not be a major factor in world affairs.”

Despite this, some theologians believe that the United States could still play a role in the end times, albeit not as a dominant power. For example, Hal Lindsey, author of “The Late Great Planet Earth,” believes that the United States will decline in power and influence but may still play a role in supporting Israel during the end times.

In summary, many pastors and theologians believe that the United States will not play a significant role in the end times. While some hold out the possibility that the United States may still play a supporting role, the consensus is that it will not be the dominant world power during this time.

So, what do you think?