3/4/33
2000 years ago, a man died on a cross for you and me.
Today in commemoration of Easter, the OCF hosted Prof Colin Humphreys to speak on "Pinpointing the exact date of the Crucifixion". To most people it might not seem like such a big deal but if you think about it, it doesn't make sense that other great people of that time (Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar) have undisputed dates of birth and death, but those of Jesus Christ (possibly the one man whose death and resurrection really matter today) should be so elusive. If Jesus was a real man who walked the earth, then he should have had a -real- walk like the rest of us, no? So I was really glad that 160 people (believers and non-believers) turned up to hear what Prof Humphreys had to say. Plus I believe the time was ripe for issues of faith to be addressed rigorously, especially in a place supposedly chockful of academics like Biopolis :)
Historical records hazard the crucifixion within AD 26-36; they unanimously agree that it happened on a Friday (the day before the Jewish Sabbath). However there is some controversy - yes, even within the Gospels - as to whether the Last Supper (the night before Jesus was crucified) was on Passover or Passover Eve, thus making it difficult to pinpoint the exact year on which there was a Passover Friday. Basically, by analysis of various historical texts (secular and religious), comparison of various Jewish calendars in use then, and dating of lunar eclipses during the decade in question, we were able to eliminate several possibilities and pinpoint the date of the Crucifixion to 3 Apr, AD 33.
Apart from being a rigorous exercise in logic and verification to satisfy the harshest skeptic, today was a humbling experience. As the prof's talk went on, I was all ready to jump to the conclusion but he kept going until he had clearly and firmly, and yet politely and unassumingly, established his point. It provided a real contrast to those who, thinking they know a decent bit of science, brush the concept of God off with a few choice observations (--> me!). Here is a man who has dedicated his life to proving the veracity of biblical history, and without compromising the principles of scientific (i.e. systematic and logical) research. Above all, he is a wonderful counter-example to the belief that belief in God is intellectual suicide.
The word of God will never be flippant or crudely (impatiently) worded, and it always brings life to your current situation.
Today in commemoration of Easter, the OCF hosted Prof Colin Humphreys to speak on "Pinpointing the exact date of the Crucifixion". To most people it might not seem like such a big deal but if you think about it, it doesn't make sense that other great people of that time (Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar) have undisputed dates of birth and death, but those of Jesus Christ (possibly the one man whose death and resurrection really matter today) should be so elusive. If Jesus was a real man who walked the earth, then he should have had a -real- walk like the rest of us, no? So I was really glad that 160 people (believers and non-believers) turned up to hear what Prof Humphreys had to say. Plus I believe the time was ripe for issues of faith to be addressed rigorously, especially in a place supposedly chockful of academics like Biopolis :)
Historical records hazard the crucifixion within AD 26-36; they unanimously agree that it happened on a Friday (the day before the Jewish Sabbath). However there is some controversy - yes, even within the Gospels - as to whether the Last Supper (the night before Jesus was crucified) was on Passover or Passover Eve, thus making it difficult to pinpoint the exact year on which there was a Passover Friday. Basically, by analysis of various historical texts (secular and religious), comparison of various Jewish calendars in use then, and dating of lunar eclipses during the decade in question, we were able to eliminate several possibilities and pinpoint the date of the Crucifixion to 3 Apr, AD 33.
Apart from being a rigorous exercise in logic and verification to satisfy the harshest skeptic, today was a humbling experience. As the prof's talk went on, I was all ready to jump to the conclusion but he kept going until he had clearly and firmly, and yet politely and unassumingly, established his point. It provided a real contrast to those who, thinking they know a decent bit of science, brush the concept of God off with a few choice observations (--> me!). Here is a man who has dedicated his life to proving the veracity of biblical history, and without compromising the principles of scientific (i.e. systematic and logical) research. Above all, he is a wonderful counter-example to the belief that belief in God is intellectual suicide.
The word of God will never be flippant or crudely (impatiently) worded, and it always brings life to your current situation.
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