JESUS CHRIST: GOD-MAN - Vital Christianity

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"In light of these facts, the Gospel story is psychologically sound. The disciples
were slow to recognize in Jesus their messiah, for by his actions he was fulfilling
none of the roles expected for the Messiah."24
Argument from Cause and Effect
Every effect has a cause. There are a number of effects in Christian history that must be
traced to the bodily resurrection of Christ for their cause.
Argument from Testimony
The unusual manifestations of God's power are not to be deduced from the usual ones.
They must be established on other grounds, the argument from testimony being one of these.
Three things are necessary to make a testimony trustworthy:
1. The witnesses must be competent, that is, be eye-witnesses.
2. They must be sufficient in number.
3. They must have a good reputation, if their testimony is to be received at full value.
Testimony of Apostles
The apostles repeatedly refer to the fact that they were eye witnesses (Lk 24:33-36; Jn
20:19,26; Ac 1:3,21-22) and that they did not base their teaching on the reports of others.
The historical records indicate that subsequent to his death, Jesus "appeared to Cephas
[Peter], then to the twelve. After that he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time
most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep . . ." (1 Co 15:3-8). British
theologian C.H. Dodd has commented that "There can hardly be any purpose in mentioning the
fact that most of the five hundred are still alive, unless Paul is saying, in effect, 'the witnesses are
there to be questioned.'"25 Besides appearances to His disciples, there was a convincing
appearance to a brother, Thomas, who had before rejected Him, and another that converted an
enemy, Saul of Tarsus.
In our courts one witness is enough to establish murder; two, high treason; three, the
execution of a will; seven an oral will; and seven is the greatest number required under our laws.
Five hundred witnesses to Jesus' resurrection, therefore, is more than ample evidence to His
claims being authoritative.
Radical Change of the Disciples
It is well established that the disciples of Jesus abandoned and denied association with
Him during His arrest, trial and crucifixion (Mt 26:56, 69-75; Jn 20:19). Why? It was because of
fear for their lives. These fear-drenched "followers" were transformed from scared men hiding