These questions certainly make people uncomfortable. But we are better off facing the hard questions, don’t you think?

An eternal God may be difficult for us to understand (Romans 11:33), but a righteous God will make it possible for us to find Him.

One of the things that struck me the most in my research was the series of unique historical ‘coincidences’ that occurred to verify the Gospel accounts. For instance:

Can you name a capital crime for which simple repentance grants forgiveness under the law?
In other words, can you imagine a crime punishable by death, for which the perpetrator may gain complete forgiveness simply by promising to discontinue future participation in that crime? Envision this: the murderer stands before his judge, guilty as charged, and pleads, “but I won’t do it again. I promise!” Instead of laughing him out of court, the judge says, “Well, as long as you won’t do it again…you’re free to go. All charges are dropped. But don’t do it again or you’ll be in real trouble!” Not likely to happen, is it?

I only know of two cases in all of recorded history where a legal system adopted this peculiar policy. And both involved the earliest Christians!

In Roman occupied Judea, from the crucifixion until the Jewish revolt (33?-66 AD), Christians were executed by the Jewish leadership for practicing a false religion – unless they recanted, and turned back to the true (Jewish) faith.

From 64 AD until the edit of Milan (312 AD), Christianity was punishable by death under Roman law – but once again records indicate that they were routinely forgiven if they turned away from their Christian faith.

The point is this: I used to wonder, “If Jesus truly loved His disciples, and the Bible teaches Divine protection for those consecrated to Christ – If He loved these men as brothers, laying down His life for them (and us, of course) – THEN WHY WERE JESUS’ DISCIPLES ALL (with the exception of John) MARTYRED FOR THEIR FAITH? Why didn’t He save them?”

But as I researched this topic, over a period of years, the answer became obvious! How can we ever be certain whether testimony is true? How can we tell whether to believe a man’s word?

The answer: Anything a man will die for, he truly believes! He could still be mistaken, but we know he is sincere. So, why did Jesus’ disciples have to die? They died for US! So that we could be certain they were testifying the TRUTH! Do you remember when Jesus said His disciples would indeed drink from the same cup as Jesus? Just as Jesus died for us, to save mankind with a perfect sacrifice; his disciples died for us, to prove the truth of their testimony. All they had to do was to recant to walk away free men. Just say it wasn’t so. That Jesus never rose. That it was all made up for some ulterior motive. But they would not deny their testimony. And they proved their sincerity with their lives.

But to prove this required the hand of God – to assure that the peculiar policy described above was followed by both the Jewish and Roman legal systems. Both governments hostile to the infant faith, and both unwittingly abetting the spread of Christianity by allowing its adherents to demonstrate their sincerity.

Anyway, I hope this made some sense. It was kind of ‘off the cuff’, and I’ve been up since 4:30 this morning.

Best Wishes,

John

Reading the above was very refreshing, and I can tell your interest/desire isn’t feigned. That, I think, is what captured my attention when I stumbled upon your webpage. What challenges me is the fact that many of the people I know seem to act as though they are not interested. I guess if you try to avoid the questions surrounding a Creator, His Will, our purpose, Sin/morality, Divine Forgiveness, and eternal life, it’s possible. But, I feel like most folks avoid the questions because they know they won’t like the answer(s).

That issue occupies my thoughts quite a bit. It influences my prayers and my efforts to share God with others.

How have you dealt with this reality, or, how have you experienced it?

blessings,
java

I appreciate your interest (never give an author a forum to talk about his work!)

I have always been a reader, with an interest in history. I have been reading Roman and Greek authors from this period for recreation most of my life (I read Greco-Roman myths and plays from childhood, and embraced their histories and serious works from the time I was a young man). In addition I was brought up reading the Bible as a part of my faith. Discovering Josephus was a natural development early on, as you can imagine. Somewhere along the way I started on Apocryphal literature and the Church Fathers. When I started this project I merely filled in the gaps in my recreational reading, adding the Talmudic and Taanitic literature, along with Philo, and various excerpts preserved as quotations in later literature.

The desire to know the truth about my faith and life after death is hardly feigned. I think that most people wish to come to grips with these subjects. Starting with the resurrection of Christ as an historical event still appears to me to be the logical approach to answering these questions. If God will raise Christ, and Christ says God will raise me if I follow Christ, then I am on a firm foundation.

I don’t have the answers on how to achieve a balance. I seldom watch television. I would rather read. My children are mostly grown. And I am not married. So I may have more time than some. But my vocation is intellectually demanding, and I frequently have to wait until the weekends to firm up written efforts. Due to a change of vocational situation, I was able to take a ten month Sabbatical to finish Volume I. The research and writing is much easier when you can devote your full efforts without distraction. I would like very much to one day be a full time author, but I suppose I need to find a publisher for this first work before I entertain that goal.

Best Wishes,

John

Another question, how do you find time to balance work, life, and this project. I ask because I often find time a limiting factor when faced with my desire to learn more about matters of faith.

(I hate to be asking so many questions. I’m sorry.)

blessings,
java

I am a scientist by vocation, a geophysicist who has enjoyed a thirty year career of scientific discovery.

A close associate of mine became engrossed with theories espoused by Dan Brown’s novel, The DaVinci Code.
My original interest was merely to demonstrate the fallacious nature of the arguments he was accepting.
As I delved more deeply into the subject, I realized that nearly all of the recent serious literature propounded the view that Christianity was based upon mere legend or myth, and that the documents supporting Christianity were unreliable and in disagreement with more trustworthy historical sources.

Since I was unwilling to base my life upon a lie, I decided to personally study the source materials related to the resurrection of Christ. The resurrection seemed the logical choice for investigation, because all other claims of Christianity are based upon this first claim. IF He rose from the dead, then it easily follows that He is Divine. IF God can raise the dead, then He can easily inspire Scripture as the Word of God.

As a career scientist, whose ‘theories’ have always been subject to actual evaluation by subsequent drilling, I was uniquely qualified to form the most likely explanation for a large, interrelated dataset. And I was willing to find the truth, wherever the evidence led. My preconceived notion was that there would be insufficient evidence to form a conclusion. But the weight of evidence turned out to be, in my mind, overwhelming. The recent turn of historians against validity of traditional views appears to me to be based upon a secular bias which requires ‘scientists’ to explain all ancient literature in terms of ‘natural’ causes. Therefore, a book which claims to have recorded a prophecy cannot have actually done so, for prophecy is not ‘scientific’. Rather, they conclude that the book MUST have been penned AFTER the prophecy was fulfilled, by an author either purposefully deceptive, or alternatively confused as to the facts by religious zeal. Likewise any account of the miraculous must have, in their minds, been written long after facts had been replaced with legend. I am writing a new essay on this very subject right now that I hope to post in the next week or so.

My approach was to gather all source materials, whether of Christian, Jewish, Roman, Greek, or other origin. Some of the materials display pro-Christian bias, some are overtly hostile, and some more or less neutral. Each piece of literature had to stand based upon its demonstrable historical weight. I could not treat the Gospel of Luke, for instance, as infallible for the purposes of this study. I could only say that it was a first century writing, whose author was traditionally ascribed to be Paul’s companion, Luke. Much of the early chapters were spent trying to validate the reliability of writings which claim to be based upon eyewitness testimony. A good deal of effort also went into providing the historical setting which serves as a backdrop to the first and second century literature, (i.e. The fabric of society in first century, Roman occupied Judea, life as a Christian in the Graeco-Roman world after Nero outlawed Christianity in 64 AD, etc).

I spent four years creating the manuscript for Volume I, building a library of hard to find volumes as I conducted research.
I have been trying to find a publisher for nearly a year now. I have mainly approached the large international publishing houses to this point, because I wanted the ability to market nationwide from the beginning. (This project does more good if it reaches more people!) I do have endorsements from knowledgeable professionals in the field. I know the research is sound, and I believe that portions of the work are inspired. So if you know of a publisher looking for a project, I am open to that opportunity.

I have not yet received a credible case against the resurrection from anyone. Such a case simply cannot be made without violating or rejecting the early documentary record. But people may choose to believe what they will. I merely provide the comprehensive dataset organized according to the most probable explanation.

Best Wishes,

John

What I’ve seen so far is inspiring. You’ve really embraced Peter’s encouragement to “give an answer for the hope” we have. How did you end up with this project? Did it begin as one of those “ideas” you discuss in the above essay?

Have you received any responses/questions from people who do not accept your conclusions? If so, how have those interactions gone.

sincerely,
java

I am delighted that you have enjoyed the site; and ‘yes’, it is very much intended for public viewing.
Read, share with friends, comment, make observations.
Let me know what I can do to improve the site!

Best Wishes,

John

Thanks for this resource, though I’m not sure you intend it for public viewing. Do you?

It also appears that you’re a follower of Christ. May God grant you lots of wisdom and grace as you continue on this project, How to Live Forever.

sincerely,
java