Over a century ago, a...
Illustration
Over a century ago, a rationalist named David Straus re-
examined the scriptures about Jesus. When he came to the resurrection accounts, Straus could not be satisfied with the idea, voiced by some, that Jesus did not really die on the cross but only "swooned" and later revived in the coolness of the tomb. "It is impossible," Straus wrote, "that a being who had stolen half-dead out of the sepulchre, who crept about weak and ill, wanting medical treatment, who required bandaging, strengthening, and indulgence, and who still at last yielded to his sufferings, could have given to the disciples the impression that he was a conqueror over death and the grave, the Prince of Life: an impression which lay at the bottom of their future ministry. Such a resuscitation could only have weakened the impression which he had made upon them in life and in death, at the most could only have given it an elegiac voice, but could not by possibility have changed their sorrow into enthusiasm, have elevated their reverence into worship" (Life of Jesus, i, 412).
-- Bristow
examined the scriptures about Jesus. When he came to the resurrection accounts, Straus could not be satisfied with the idea, voiced by some, that Jesus did not really die on the cross but only "swooned" and later revived in the coolness of the tomb. "It is impossible," Straus wrote, "that a being who had stolen half-dead out of the sepulchre, who crept about weak and ill, wanting medical treatment, who required bandaging, strengthening, and indulgence, and who still at last yielded to his sufferings, could have given to the disciples the impression that he was a conqueror over death and the grave, the Prince of Life: an impression which lay at the bottom of their future ministry. Such a resuscitation could only have weakened the impression which he had made upon them in life and in death, at the most could only have given it an elegiac voice, but could not by possibility have changed their sorrow into enthusiasm, have elevated their reverence into worship" (Life of Jesus, i, 412).
-- Bristow
