Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life
I have recently been sent a number of posts by skeptics who observe that the Gospel of Mark, which most scholars believe is the earliest Gospel, does not include an actual appearance by the risen Jesus. Of course there is an appearance after Mark 16:8, but anything after that verse is a later addition, presumably … Read More “The Gospel of Mark and the Resurrection of Jesus” »
If you were to go back in time to the first Easter Sunday morning, what would you have seen at the tomb of Jesus? This is a question that has been asked by both Christians and skeptics. In some ways, this is an important question. What did the earliest Christians believe happened to the physical … Read More “Was the Tomb Empty?” »
What exactly is the ending of the Gospel of Mark? Does it end at Mark 16:8 or at Mark 16:20? “Now when he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and told those who had been with … Read More “Does This Mean I Can’t Handle Snakes?” »
“And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And … Read More “Jesus and Forgiveness of Sin” »
I have been listening to a podcast by York University professor Philip Harland and have been enjoying it. I disagree with about 25% of what he says but there are enough good insights for it to be worth my while. One of the things that he says, that I hear from many scholars, continues to … Read More “The Late Dating of the Gospels” »
