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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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BOOK <strong>the</strong> only explanation left to negative<br />

criticism, in view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> m admitted au<strong>the</strong>nticity <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> narrative, is, that <strong>the</strong> core was <strong>the</strong><br />

'~ ' "' result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> psychical influence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Centurion's faith <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> that <strong>of</strong> his servant. But<br />

what, in that case, <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> words which <strong>Jesus</strong><br />

admittedly spoke ? Can we, as some would have<br />

it, rationally account for <strong>the</strong>ir use by <strong>the</strong><br />

circumstance that <strong>Jesus</strong> had had experience <strong>of</strong> such<br />

psychical influences on disease ? or that Christ's<br />

words were, ao to speak, only an affirmation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Centurion's faith—something between a '<br />

benedictory wish' <strong>and</strong> an act ? Surely, suggestions<br />

like <strong>the</strong>se carry <strong>the</strong>ir own refutation.<br />

Apart, <strong>the</strong>n, from explanations which have been<br />

shown untenable, what is <strong>the</strong> impression left on<br />

our minds <strong>of</strong> an event, <strong>the</strong> record <strong>of</strong> which is<br />

admitted to be au<strong>the</strong>ntic? <strong>The</strong> hea<strong>the</strong>n Centurion is<br />

a real historical personage. He was captain <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

troop quartered in Capernaum, <strong>and</strong> in <strong>the</strong> service<br />

<strong>of</strong> Herod Antipas. We know that such troops were

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