henning@acsu.buffalo.edu (Karl matriculate Henning) (06/14/91)
Michael T Freeman writes: >Martin Mroz writes: >>... and a ragged looking man comes up to me and says, "Hello, (here he >>uses your own name, for example:) Elliott, my name is Jesus Christ." > No, I would not believe him. The Bible says that when Jesus does >return he'll do so in power and glory. There will be no doubt to his >identity. Mike, just how watertight is this instance of "the bible says this" ['that he will come back in power and glory'], therefore I believe this ['there will be no doubt']? In one of the books of the bible, it was suggested that someone would be 'nailed to a tree'; and xians generally believe (:-) that that points to jesus' death on a cross -- no doubt about that, in xian minds. The gospels relate accounts of jesus' various appearances after his "resurrection" to this or that favored believer -- where in the prophets were the forward- probing indicators of this activity? Let's say that these post-resurrection appearances of jesus were in some measure a test of faith; and let me assume for argument's sake that we agree that the post-resurrection perks were "unsubstantiated" by prior prophecy ... Does the biblical prophecy of jesus' return 'in power and glory' mean that IT IS INCONCEIVABLE (N.B.: hypothetical situation approaching) that BEFORE the "official" return 'in power and glory' jesus might appear in humble guise, any number of times, to some of the "elect" -- and partly to test their faith ... as Mr Mroz (e.g.) wonders? Mike, forgive me if I aver that your response fails utterly to address Mr Mroz' question -- and that you did it by "hiding behind" a bible-verse. kph -- DEAR SIR AND FRIEND: You seem to be in prosperity. Could you lend an admirer $1.50 to buy a hymn-book with? ... P.S. -- Don't send the hymn-book; send the money; I want to make the selection myself. [letter from Twain to Carnegie]