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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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truth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> narrative ?<br />

But, after all, may we regard this history as real—<br />

<strong>and</strong>, if so, what are its lessons?* On one point, at<br />

least, all serious critics are now agreed. It is<br />

impossible to ascribe it to exaggeration, or to<br />

explain it on natural grounds. <strong>The</strong> only alternative<br />

is to regard it ei<strong>the</strong>r as true, or as designedly false.<br />

Be it, moreover, remembered, that not only one<br />

Gospel, but oU, relate some story <strong>of</strong> raising <strong>the</strong><br />

dead—whe<strong>the</strong>r that <strong>of</strong> this youth, <strong>of</strong> Jairus'<br />

daughter, or <strong>of</strong> Lazarus. <strong>The</strong>y also all relate <strong>the</strong><br />

Resurrection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Christ, which really underlies<br />

those o<strong>the</strong>r miracles. But if this history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

raising <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> young man is false, what motive can<br />

be suggested for its invention, for motive <strong>the</strong>re<br />

must have been for it ? Assuredly, it was no part <strong>of</strong><br />

Jewish expectancy concerning <strong>the</strong> <strong>Messiah</strong>, that He<br />

would perform such a miracle. And negative<br />

criticism has admitted,^ that <strong>the</strong> differences<br />

between this history <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> raising <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dead by<br />

Elijah or Elisha are so numerous <strong>and</strong> great, that<br />

<strong>the</strong>se narratives

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