Analysing Theology: Testing the Resurrection Story

The Hidden Truth Behind Jesus' Disappearance: Was His Body Stolen? 

5 to 7 min read 

When Truth is Shrouded in Legend and Theology We Have to Hypothesize

We Should Always Ask Questions

What is more plausible: an executed religious leader who fronted a growing movement who was abruptly raised from the dead? Or his group of followers continuing the movement by promoting the narrative? 

This topic resonates with me because of the dissonance I've seen from certain entrenched family members, and the fact that I go obsessed with religion especially after I've had experienced something mystical or symptomatic. People throw all common sense out of the window just to believe biblical narrative or fixate on it, when the true history could be somewhat different.

Progression When The Dogma Bites

Thick books with stained glass windows on the covers, exist, sitting on the bookshelves of gray haired men discussing such pointless topics. Issues that can never be resolved such as 'The Empty Tomb: Was Jesus Resurrected?' might shed some light on the . . .uh, no! How can we reach that conclusion? We have no proof there was a tomb! 

What Worldview Do You Build on? 

However, the impossibility of it is never enough to break these paranormal beliefs. It is still taught is universities as an academic and scholarly discipline. Many advise STEM subjects, maybe leaning on the laws of nature, likely historical practices and medical science, but we all have our flat earthers don't we? 

Types of Conversation I've Had:

'No this is nonsense! It says in all four of the gospels that Jesus rose from the dead!' 

'Of course it does, early Christians compiled these stories didn't they?' 

'Those disciples went from being afraid into hiding. Why would they suddenly proclaim the resurrection? No, no sorry, it's unlikely these followers would risked life from limb like they did for anything other than the truth!' 

'Or their version of the truth! Of course they promoted their movement, listen, in reality, people charged with committing sedition against Rome would have been left on the cross as an example! His followers might of had good motive to retrieve the body, but Governor Pontius Pilot may have had more reason to leave it on display,' 

'Yeah, but still, the fact remains; why risk death for something you know to be untrue?' 

'Asking the same question again won't give you the answer you want. The movement was only important if the teacher was resurrected somehow. The Critical Scholar, Crossan, has said a few times that resurrection stories were common in those years. Followers had the means, motive and opportunity to pull it off. We can't fairly deny the remains were possibly left on display,' 

'The followers knew he was God's son!' 

'That epithet came well after his death, so no, sorry.' 

'Oh for goodness sake, look. . . there was a Roman guarding the bloody tomb, and we know it was sodding empty! Witnesses existed!' 

'Is that a bible source again? Think, why would a Roman guard an empty tomb? Nevermind!' 

A Little Backstory: 

Another Galilean miracle worker sprang up to impress crowds like they had seen before. Galileans miracle men like Honi grew a reputation. Snippets of this one's theo-political teachings emerged as well as his anointed status and it spread. Don't forget, he was anointed by an important man the Baptist. Jesus came to be like a prophet, mysterious and charming. With his apostles, they want to see change to the oppressive religion of the land, promoting his own understanding of a kingdom of heaven, or a more virtuous faith. 

Before the established religion clashed with Jesus's hellenic-Jewish ideology, there would have been something like debates across the land, teaching and sermons, until he was captured. He was seen as another miracle worker of Galilee leading the Jews astray of the true faith. Scriptures of various sources detail that Jesus undergoes horrible punishments, with differing ideas on execution. Either way, here we are saying he was crucified and the entirety of his prophecies are over. Killed. Disbelief, shock... 

...I'm just saying, his closest circle could have swiped the body, continued the myth, grew the faith, established a footing and becoming the prime faith on earth. 

My Conclusion: Questions are the Answers

This does challenge the heart of Christianity, but so what? Things have to be challenged, it's how we uncover the truth. Indeed, we can say Jesus was resurrected as a concept, and idea, religious or spiritual ethos of their collective which evolved into the church. But, it must be said, his remains didn't get up and walk off! This is not walking dead. Don't you agree? 

Its more plausible that the body was stolen resurrected. The movement was crushed and the crucifixion was a major blow, the body had to go. They had means, motive and access. Christian sources are biased toward the christian narrative. 

Is the UK Unhappy?

Feeling Down? Well, if You're in the UK That Makes Sense: The UK Mental Wellbeing Ranking Has Fallen! 

Well isn't this a cheery post?

5 min read 

Let's face it, life here in the UK isn't always sunshine and beer gardens. A recent study ranked us second to last in terms of mental wellbeing—ahhh! But before you book a one-way ticket to Benedorm, there's more to this... 

The Telegraph points to a few possible culprits we could blame for these collective blues. One big finger points to the internet and social media with its constant barrage of negativity and unrealistic portrayals of perfection. It aided the economic woes that put retail mostly online, providing many thriving towns into empty building projects and charity shop high streets! That's before we even get into culture wars, and wokism. It looks like we're turning more stupid! 

A national digitised national echo chamber, teeming with screen addicts, who, on average, now spend less time making the bacon and more time eating it, and then chatting to AI. Mine's called Linda. Now we're only months into a new Labour government and it's stupid on turbo-drive! 

What new archetypes and identities will arrive soon, digisexual, typophiles? But, come on! we do have a glimmer of hope! We do have regions that actually smashed the ball out of the happiness arena. What should we do to improve our national mood? Well, according to the data, we should simply be wealthy. Sign me up! 

Well. . . we all have our own ideas on how we can be happier, I'm not a community action type of person, and I take pleasure in my self-gratifying dry, grumpy humour. Spending too much time in our so-called happy regions could tip me over the edge. So ask yourselves, how happy are most of us, as Brits, when we are complaining online, or smashing ideas we think are ludicrous? 

I strive for total disconnection from my community—my house is my castle to keep people out. Perhaps, this happiness study might have to redefine key British notions of happiness, because we are quite unique? We are all characters here, even if a few of us are a little bit tapped. 

Our weird irony and paradoxical ways extends to the pleasure in dealing in misery, look what we voted for in 2010 and the drivel we watch on television! This recent research should conclude we are quite well and good with our own special happiness, thank you very much, but nah. 

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