timeimmortal

Apparently, some stone tablets with lines of Hebrew text on them were unearthed a while ago — they are just hitting the news now, though — which speak of a Messiah who will rise from the dead after three days.

Which would, as Michael Barber points out, dovetail rather nicely with several other passages of Scripture, notably Hosea and the various Gospel accounts. Barber also points out that the Gospels themselves indicate that the Jewish belief concerning the Messiah included His rising again on the 3rd day (c.f. Luke 24:46).

Predictably, the media appears to be attempting to spin this as some kind of shattering revelation which will “raise questions” about Christianity, but personally I don’t see what the big deal is. Given that Christians believe Jesus was that Messiah, and given that the Messiah did in fact rise from the dead on the third day, if anything these tablets should be seen as further confirmation of the historicity of the Gospel accounts, and of at least some parts of Scripture in general.

But I suppose, for some people, the desire to demonstrate some — any! — chip in the Christian facade is too great, and motivates them to attempt to twist every bit of evidence to fit that narrative.

Update: Welcome, WebElf readers!

~ by Kenneth on July 7, 2008.