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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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last hypo<strong>the</strong>ses are discarded. But, as negative<br />

criticism—may we not say, from <strong>the</strong> same spirit<br />

which <strong>Jesus</strong> reproved in <strong>the</strong> courtier—is unwilling<br />

to admit that <strong>Jesus</strong> really wrought this miracle, it is<br />

suggested in explanation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cure, that <strong>the</strong> sick<br />

child, to whom <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r had communicated his<br />

intended application to <strong>Jesus</strong>, had been in a state<br />

<strong>of</strong> expectancy which, when <strong>the</strong> courtier returned<br />

with <strong>the</strong> joyous assurance that <strong>the</strong> request was<br />

granted, issued in actual recovery.' To this <strong>the</strong>re is<br />

<strong>the</strong> obvious answer, that <strong>the</strong> explanation wants <strong>the</strong><br />

first requirement—that <strong>of</strong> an historical basis.<br />

<strong>The</strong>re is not a tittle <strong>of</strong> evidence that <strong>the</strong> child<br />

expected a cure; while, on thi; o<strong>the</strong>r h<strong>and</strong>, <strong>the</strong><br />

narrative expressly states that he was cured before<br />

his fa<strong>the</strong>r's return. And, if <strong>the</strong> narrative may be<br />

altered at will to suit <strong>the</strong> necessities <strong>of</strong> a<br />

groundless hypo<strong>the</strong>sis, it is difficult to see which,<br />

or whe<strong>the</strong>r any, part <strong>of</strong> it should be retained. It is<br />

not so that <strong>the</strong> origin <strong>of</strong> a faith, which has<br />

transformed <strong>the</strong> world, can be explained-<br />

^ Jesa Y. Nazara, II. i. pp. 179 he means that <strong>the</strong>

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