“Case of Afghan convert causes some to question democracy push in the Middle East.
by Rob Moll | posted 04/24/2006 09:30 a.m.

The case of Abdul Rahman—the Afghan Christian convert who was arrested for apostasy before being released and given asylum in Italy—has been long expected by religious freedom observers. Despite few guarantees of religious freedom, evangelicals have largely supported democratization in the Middle East. But, some evangelical leaders say, that support may not last if more Christians are sentenced to death.

In his BreakPoint commentary, Chuck Colson said, “I have supported the Bush administration’s foreign policy because I came to believe that the best way to stop Islamo-fascism was by promoting democracy. But if we can’t guarantee fundamental religious freedoms in the countries where we establish democratic reforms, then the whole credibility of our foreign policy is thrown into serious question.”

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said, “How can we congratulate ourselves for liberating Afghanistan from the rule of jihadists only to be ruled by Islamists who kill Christians? … Americans will not give their blood and treasure to prop up new Islamic fundamentalist regimes. Democracy is more than purple thumbs.”…”

The Resurrection is the most central belief of the Christian faith. Without it, the Bible is just another book, there is no super-natural element about it, Jesus is just a very interesting teacher who somehow performed magic tricks disguised as miracles and was able to not only mislead 12 disciples, but millions over the years.
In I Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul said Without the Resurrection, our faith is useless … We ought to eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die.”

For thousands of years, the Old Testament prophesied about the coming of Christ. Of course, modern day Jews are still waiting for him, while Christians claim that Jesus is Him. At the end of the day, it comes down to a matter of faith for each of us.

Thus, I am proud, honored, and humbled all at once to have this position. The Resurrection is unique to other major world religions. Most rely on their teachings of morality and perspective in order to be a follower and inherit paradise/nirvana etc. Christianity either backs itself in a corner or trumps the others by relying on a historical super-natural event as its foundation for its existence.

The Resurrection is the greatest demonstration of God’s love. After condemning all mankind to eternal death because of sin, He intercedes and changes the rules … Himself. For those interested in exploring this subject, I believe it comes down to a couple of central issues: the existence of God (which allows for the super-natural), the Revelation of God – Jesus, and whether or not He rose from the dead. If you believe in a super-natural God who has sent prophets to tell of His coming, the Resurrection does not seem that difficult.

Over the years many have tried to explain away the Resurrection. Much ink has been spilled and some have dedicated their entire lives to these subjects and I wish to respect their efforts, but for the sake of time, space, and this medium, I need to be as concise as possible. I say all that to say, I am not trying to create strawmen here …

The Swoon Theory is the one that suggests that Jesus either faked his death by either passing out or the soldiers mistakenly thought he was dead, took him off the cross and put him in the tomb. From here, either he escaped on his own or the disciples came and rescued him.

Though by archeological and historical standards the New Testament (and Old) are considered to be actual historical records, my desire is to use them as little as possible.
(But perhaps at another time, we can mention why they are reliable. It actually is quite impressive in comparison to other ancient texts).

Back to the Swoon theory though. During the Roman Empire in the first century, the penalty for a botched crucifixion was your execution. Considering that not a single solider was killed for his failure to execute a prisoner, it would be unreasonable to conclude that they mistakenly took Jesus off the cross if He had only passed out.
But let’s say they did (In addition it was common to take a spear and stab the prisoner through the heart to make sure – which they did in Jesus’ case but we’ll set that aside too). They lay Jesus into the tomb and put a 2 ton boulder in front of it. HOW DOES HE GET OUT? It is suggested that the disciples came and rescued him, if so, wouldn’t the Romans have hunted them down. Furthermore in the Biblical text, the tomb was sealed and guarded for the Romans were suspicious that this band of religious lunatics might in fact, do this. Let’s say that didn’t for they feared their lives as they made no attempt to save him when they could have and deserted Him. Let’s say Jesus recovered as one of the versions of the swoon theories have suggested. It’s very difficult to move any boulder of any size and fight off the guards and escape if you were just mistaken for dead.
Let’s say that someone like Mary Magdalene snuck into the tomb before they took Jesus off the cross and hid a couple protein bars, Gatorade, and a weapon or two, say even a first century Uzi. Jesus recovers (also, he was wrapped, not exactly like a mummy, but wrapped but that’s the least of his problems. If He can get out of the tomb obviously ace bandages won’t be a problem). He awakens, recovers, gets his strength back enough, gathers the weapons uses the lever to move the boulder. Fortunately it’s on a decline and as it rolls it runs over a couple of soldiers. Jesus the expert carpenter (I mean swordsmen) He is, fights off the remaining soldiers and limps off to find His disciples in the secretive upper room.
Upon being found by Him, most likely they would not say, Wow, just as you predicted, you really showed them, (and pay attention) and Jesus, you promise that I can do this too? It’s not exactly the resurrected body I was hoping for but barely alive is better then dead. YEAH! Where do I sign up? Jesus has been risen from the dead and we can be raised like this too!

Ridiculous no? You got the first botched crucifixion, a man mistaken to be dead moving two-ton boulders, fighting off guards, and then convincing his followers this is the best life to follow. When the natural explanations fail, and the super-natural seems more possible, it’s at least worth investigating.

The Mass Hallucination Theory
The theory is the disciples gathered in the upper-room, delirious in their grief or high from drugs hallucinate and see the risen Christ.
It’s a tough one for the naturalist because historically and scientifically there is much debate on the specifics of the idea of “mass hallucination”.
For a moment let’s assume they did, they heard the hallucination say the same thing, ate with the resurrected hallucination, went fishing together (as reported in the Gospels), appeared to approximately 500 people before the hallucination ascended.

This “mass hallucination” would be the most unique to say the least. This is NOT like seeing a vision of Mary in the clouds or in bowl of cereal. The duration, the fact it happens inside and outside and different times of day and it eats, walks and talks!
Furthermore, perhaps the most compelling reason I have for the Resurrection is the Disciple’s Reaction. Hope you keep reading.

The Disciples’ Reaction
Upon believing that a man you witnessed die has in fact come back to life, you could easy understand why this is exciting. It’s never happened before. As one of Jesus’ disciples you saw some impressive miracles, healing the blind and lame, even bringing back a couple of people from the dead (that would later die again as they were still mortal and not given “heavenly bodies”). Most importantly you heard him claim that He was the Son of God and that He was the Way the Truth and the Life to God the Father in Heaven. By putting your faith in Him, you would know the Father. Being a disciple, imagine again the moment that you believed once and for all Christ rose from the dead, thereby proving everything He said, erasing any doubt from the corners of your mind, and concluding that this must truly be the Messiah, the Son of God. Certainly you would risk everything, from your life to even your loved ones for they too could be saved by God. Then after the Resurrected Jesus tells you to preach this Gospel (this “Good News”), you go everywhere you can faithfully preaching the message of salvation. Logical from the Christian perspective.

However, let us assume that Jesus did NOT rise from the dead. But rather the disciples gathered in the upper room decided to create a story – a story that included the theft of Jesus’ body, a conspiracy and tale of his resurrection so His teachings and legacy could live on. So you make a pact with the other 10, passionately persuade the naïve masses that Jesus rose from the dead, showing that the tomb is empty, convincing them to become “Christians”. In a short time, the Romans are trying to erase your cu

lt by persecuting and trying to kill you and your converts. They succeed in killing Stephen who was not one of the original disciples but one of the early church leaders. The mayhem ensues – hundreds of your converts are being killed, members of the original 12 are killed and dragged through the streets. As it has taken approximately 30-40 years for the last of the original 12 to be killed, you find yourself one of the last ones alive.

Throughout the last 30 or so years of preaching this lie, you have returned to your business, you have returned to your family, your youngest daughter is about to be married and your eldest son is about to give you a grandchild.
A man approaches you with violent intent and says, “You are one of those disciples of Christ.” You will deny it just as Peter did before Jesus was crucified. Why? Because no one willingly dies for a lie. Add to this 11 conspirators, persecuted and killed over 40 years. I tell you the truth, as a person committed to his word but more committed to his wife and family, I will deny some silly lie or pact I made 30 years ago, especially if my fellow pact-makers are already dead. I am going to enjoy the life I have left. But not one disciple escapes the martyr’s death or persecution (as John was exiled after being thrown in a vat of almost boiling oil). You only admit to being one of Jesus’ followers only if you really believe that He rose from the dead! That’s worth dying for.

No one willingly dies for what they know to be a lie. People make objections stating that the from the 9-11 conspirator to the Kamikaze pilot to the Nazi to any other kind of terrorist, etc, that they die all the time for lies. And the refutation is, no they don’t. The terrorist believes that he is dying for the truth, however misguided he is, he believes in his cause.

Again, no one willingly dies for what they know to be a lie. Not one, not 11, not the millions of converts of the early church. In returning to the story of Jesus, it is also important to note that as recorded in the book of Acts, the resurrected Christ appeared to 500 people before He ascended to God the Father.

Especially as many have attacked its historicity over the centuries, these and many other arguments provide solid refutations and probably reason for the Resurrection. To come full circle, please remember that this does not “prove” the Resurrection. The apostle Paul teaches us that we are not justified by our arguments, our behavior, or our rationality, we are justified by our faith. It’s always been a matter of faith, but for me, it’s good to know that I have good reason for my faith.