"As for miracles, Paul stresses the significance of Jesus' resurrection, the greatest of all miracles."
Anything that is truly a miracle is great...why is that the greatest?
Because Jesus' resurrection represented the conquest of death and promise that those saved through him will also be raised to eternal life. From Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church:
3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
.....
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
-------------------------------------------------
But nothing else???? Don't you find that strange? Or would that upset your beliefs??
Not strange at all. The death and resurrection of Jesus is central to Christianity. Other miracles are of minor importance in comparison.
--------------------------------------------------
"And btw, no serious scholar doubts the existence of either Paul or Jesus."
Oh yes they do....You're probably only considering religious scholars
No, if you know of any such serious scholars who doubt or deny the historical existence of these, name them. Its as ridiculous as for someone to deny the existence of Alexander the Great, Mohammed, Julius Caesar, etc. Having to deny that Jesus even existed is a sign of desparation imo.
------------------------------------------------
... btw, 50 years is also a long time to hold such miracles a secret as you seem to be saying.
First, Paul's writings are dated to about 20 years after Jesus's death and resurrection, not 50. Second, the resurrection was by no means a secret prior to the writing of these letters. Numerous apostles were preaching and teaching it all over the eastern Mediterranean by that time. Thats why there were churches in places like Corinth, Galatia, and Rome for Paul to write letters to in the 50's. |
