The recent op-ed by Daily Dogma editor Ima Dowder entitled “The Christian Cartoon” raises some serious questions about the historical veracity of the Bible and the character of the Christians who believe it. In her article, Dowder suggests that the Bible is much like an animated feature film in which Jesus is no more than a mythical super hero created by the early church. According to Dowder, the New Testament documents are just a fictional account of the exploits of Jesus, a compilation of myths and legends attributing supernatural powers to someone who was actually only a well-intentioned but misguided peasant carpenter who wound up on the wrong side of history. Dowder concludes that Christians, therefore, should finally face these “proven facts” about the Bible’s mythical nature and “give up the ghost.” She then makes the astonishing claim that we would all be better off if they did, since the world would become a “kinder, gentler, and less intolerant place.”

           Give Dowder credit for at least acknowledging that her proposal has enormous worldwide implications! Basically, Dowder is exhorting Christians to quit being Christians, and if her assessment of the nature of the Bible is accurate, then she is wise to do so. If the Bible is not true, then Christianity is a hoax, and Christian faith, an exercise in futility. Even the Apostle Paul admitted as much. But Dowder offers no rational basis for her claims and no reasons that we should accept them other than her bold assertion that they are “proven facts.” Her assertion proves nothing, however, and instead provokes the question: “Is there a rational basis for the Christian faith?” Are there good reasons to believe that the New Testament documents actually communicate historical truth?

The core message of the New Testament is that a morally perfect and miracle-working Jesus was crucified, died, rose physically from the dead on the third day after his execution, and appeared to hundreds of people, thus validating conclusively that he was God as he had claimed during his lifetime. Is it fact or fairy tail? Did the gospel writers record the truth about the historical Jesus of Nazareth, or were they part of a post-crucifixion conspiracy to substantially embellish and thereby obscure the truth in an attempt to exalt a barefoot, backwoods, blue-collar barn-builder into a legendary dying and rising Son of God? As a test case, we will consider the gospel of Mark in our next issue.

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Blessings,


Arnie Gentile

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