By Jon Kauffman
Easter will soon be here.
Ron Sider quotes his discussion with German theologian Wolfhart Pannenberg who said, ‘The evidence for Jesus’ resurrection is so strong that nobody would question it except for two things: first, it is a very unusual event; and second, if you believe it happened, you have to change the way you live.’”1
Ten of Jesus’s 12 original disciples died for their faith as they shared the good news of the resurrection with a dying and violent world. If they believed that Jesus died and did not raise from the dead why would they be willing to die?
They were willing to die because they saw Jesus dead and then, he came and showed himself to them. Jesus appeared to the disciples and demonstrated that he is risen from the dead.
Jesus conquered death.
Paul says in Romans 10
9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 3 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-11 & 13
PD-US
We know Jesus is alive. How does that change the way we live? How does that change the way we view violence?
1 Finding Strength in a Time of Pandemic, Ron Sider, March 20, 2020.
Copyright © 2020 by Jon Kauffman. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted when used to further the Kingdom of God. Permission is gladly given to re-blog this post.
NONVIOLENT CHRISTIANS 