arguing it as one can't. If a Professor seriously wants to debate such a matter then one should present such material to all religions instead of intentionally bashing on one religion and showing the rest respect and withdrawal of scrutiny. This article contains no scientific nor archeological sources or proof to evidence what it is that Mr. Lazare is saying. He merely claims that present day archeology is disproving XYZ and is saying what has changed yet hasn't said how it has changed and what EXACT evidence has been found and by whom and what his sources are to as such. My feelings is this guy is using his degree to make a perpetrated attack on
Christianity and is putting his feelings and emotions into his work instead of looking at the hard facts. I know of several well known archeologists and historical authors that have proven several Old testament claims as well as New Testament claims. YOu have to look no further then BIOLA University my alumnus to find this. If you'd
like to debate this material I'd suggest confronting the hard facts with your evidence on hand. As a past debater myself and as one that dives deep into politics and such I never take things at face value unless once can source their information and evidence with their words. This man is setting up a straw man and simply blowing
it down. Bad article.
their lives. Jesus was born around 4 B.C. in present day Palestine a.k.a Bethleham and was taken to Nazareth where he was raised. When he became of age he was baptized by John who was a prophet that was
very popular in the region for his proclamation of God's return and judgement on the world. He taught and healed many people and were at odds with many of the Jewish population especially the pharisees
and sadducees who eventually gave him up to the Romans to crucify in exchange for the release of a murderer. According to scripture in Luke Jesus declared that the Holy Spirit was upon Him and in Him.
Jesus not only believed in tradition but also believed in changing aspects of tradition to be all inclusive of all of civilization. When John saw the power of Jesus he became one of his first followers. Jesus was then tested and was put to test in the wilderness where it is said he fasted forty days and nights and returned to the world empowered by God himself. He was able to cast out demons, stop harsh storms, part the seas, resurrect the dead. He brought a new sense of hope to a people who were looking for a Savior and for a purpose driven life. He taught to love your enemies and to be in the world yet not part of it and to change for the better. The Jews wanted God's revenge while Jesus taught of compassion. He brought unclean and clean food together and
acceptably eatable by all, got rid of categorizations of people and acceptable all. He allowed Jews and Gentiles to come together and allowed to be saved together. This was extreme in that day and age and seen as hostile. Eventually this lead to his betrayal arrest and crucifixion. When you look at Jesus from a believers
perspective you see that He is looked at as God is that He is God in mans form and He is fully man yet also fully God. Most people think of Jesus for performing miracles however, in the Bible he never did
many public displays of this, most where in private.It was the fact that "He went about doing good." as Peter is found saying according to Smith. He counseled people, talked to them, fed them, cleaned them, healed them, etc. If good could become human Jesus was it. Not only was his miraculous abilities brought into
Christian thought but His words and sermons and parables. He taught to not scowl at the splinter in your brothers eye without first removing the plank in your own. To cut your hand off if it causes
you to sin or to gauge your eye out if it causes you to sin. He taught of people being so dedicated to their outward appearance that their inner life was in shambles and dispicable. He taught love, as
in the Bible "Love your neighbor as yourself. What you would like people to do to you, do to them. Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, adn I will give you rest. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." He taught to turn the other cheek to evil, to love your enemies, to pray for them. He
taught it is more important to be happy and love then have wealth. He taught that God loves us no matter what. Not only did he teach these things but He lived them out in every aspect of His life. Never once was hypocritical about anything. He was perfect in goodness. After Christ was crucified his gospels tell of His
revelation of himself after death and not in an earthly body but in a spiritual perfected body. This allowed Him to be known as God and allowed Him to be omnipotent or everywhere. The people who followed
Him became known as Christians and were persecuted and met in private hidden places. People who saw how they lived wondered what was up as they were always so happy and loving towards others. They
viewed everyone as equals and lived with purpose. The no longer feared death, guilt, or self-centerdness according to Smith. One of the greatest teachings is found in 1 Corinthians "Love is patient;
love is kind; love is not envious or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends." Christians who spread the Bible and the "Good News" of Christ knew themselves as branches to the tree of God. Paul was one of the key elelements in the spread of Christianity. Paul felt that the church was a body and that it needed all it's parts to function and that
includes all of us. We are all part of the body of the Church and the body of Christ. Christ died and sacrificed himselve so that our sins were paid by a perfect body one that hadn't sinned. It was the only sacrifice due. Christians believe in a Holy Trinity which includes God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christians claim that these are all personalities of God and all God yet three seperate as well. For each has it's own individual purpose. The closest example is in the family with Husband, Wife and Child all being a
family yet each having a role. Because God sent his Son Christ to earth and to become fully human and bear the cost of sin being death and raise again to God that our sins are paid for. God bridged the gap between God and man in this event. He allowed open communication between man and Him. However, we must take the next
step and open communication.