Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Reasons On The Other Hand
No other person has come anywhere near the ninety some (Lee Strobel puts it at 110) messianic prophecies which Jesus is claimed to have fulfilled. I confess there are some that are more vague than others, which take place in unseen history and seen only by faith. I challenge anyone who has a detail personality to count up the ones, which literally and physically came true in history in the recorded life of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Gary Cohen continues writing from his experience with defending his faith. The reply of many a Jew in opposition to this Good News uses the Shema as their barricade to Truth: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is One.” Three examples follow.
1) We have our God. We don’t need anything or anyone else. Oh the irony. I have said these identical words to the Mormons who came knocking. I have my Bible, and its prophets are found there. Why would I read your book, which appeared so much later? There is no need for it! I can relate very well to the doubting Jew. There is one difference. I was told in Revelations—‘Don’t look any further’—no more words are to be added! “On the other hand” (Tevye reasons!), Israel was told to watch and wait for their Messiah to come!
2) Our God is One; we dare not add another god, this Jesus, to our equation; one plus one is one too many! Three? A Holy Spirit? Don’t even think about it!
3) Deuteronomy 6:14 – just a little further in the law, God says, “Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you.” When it comes to their faith, Jews were always taught to remain apart.
All of a sudden, it appears no wonder at all that Jesus Christ has been rejected as being God. These arguments are valid unless the Trinity doctrine can be grasped. And we all have a handle on that, eh?
Dr. Cohen offers three brief answers as possible Christian responses, which will be next time. I know you are busy!
Dr. Gary Cohen continues writing from his experience with defending his faith. The reply of many a Jew in opposition to this Good News uses the Shema as their barricade to Truth: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is One.” Three examples follow.
1) We have our God. We don’t need anything or anyone else. Oh the irony. I have said these identical words to the Mormons who came knocking. I have my Bible, and its prophets are found there. Why would I read your book, which appeared so much later? There is no need for it! I can relate very well to the doubting Jew. There is one difference. I was told in Revelations—‘Don’t look any further’—no more words are to be added! “On the other hand” (Tevye reasons!), Israel was told to watch and wait for their Messiah to come!
2) Our God is One; we dare not add another god, this Jesus, to our equation; one plus one is one too many! Three? A Holy Spirit? Don’t even think about it!
3) Deuteronomy 6:14 – just a little further in the law, God says, “Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you.” When it comes to their faith, Jews were always taught to remain apart.
All of a sudden, it appears no wonder at all that Jesus Christ has been rejected as being God. These arguments are valid unless the Trinity doctrine can be grasped. And we all have a handle on that, eh?
Dr. Cohen offers three brief answers as possible Christian responses, which will be next time. I know you are busy!
