The Case For Christ — The Beginning – Part Three

Hello Again:

In the last post, I set forth Lee Strobel’s analytical frame work, looked at the questions defining the frame work, explored questions I had and ones I thought you would have.  I explored how theories get formed, the need for factual accuracy, and how the facts fit into the theory.  It was a really long post and I appreciate those who went through that last post.

In this post, I want to bring things full circle.  I want to make this post the end of the beginning.  In the introduction to CFC, Lee Strobel laid out his framework for his investigation by setting forth two questions.  Those two questions allowed Lee Strobel to explore two theories.  When he was done, he had answered those questions and reached his conclusions.  With these things in mind let me reset the stage.

In 1998 Lee Strobel was a committed Christian who wrote CFC.  In 1979, Lee Strobel was a self proclaimed atheist whose wife announced her conversion to Christianity.  This rocked his world.  His wife was saying Christianity is true.  He was saying Christianity is false.  So He investigated.  He knew Christianity was not true.  However, he asked himself if he had all the facts?  If not, where could he find them?  And if he found them, which theory fit the facts better? 

I think that last paragraph is very important for a number of reasons.  First, the 1998 Lee Strobel is not the 1979 Lee Strobel.  It is extremely important for you the reader to make this distinction between the two.  You are probably wondering why.  I think the answer to that question is simple and can be summed up in one word — agenda.  Does the 1998 Lee Strobel have an agenda?  You bet!  He wants you to follow his journey and reach your own conclusion.

Now,I want you to consider this question.  Did the 1979 Lee Strobel have an agenda?  Who was the 1979   Lee Strobel?  He  was an atheist and skeptical of Christianity.  Did the 1979 Lee Strobel have an agenda?  You bet!  He want to show Christianity was false.

The second reason for thinking that paragraph to be very important is the 1979 Lee Strobel became the 1998 Lee Strobel.  After nearly 2 years of investigation the 1979 Lee Strobel concluded after reviewing all the facts, that his wife’s theory fit the facts better.  This had to be a tough pill for the 1979 Lee Strobel to swallow.  It overthrew the foundation of his life.

The final reason I have for thinking that paragraph to be very important is this.  It is true that people who pursue an agenda can be factually accurate.  Just like PA and JD’s attorney could pursue different agendas under different theories while being factually accurate.

For those reasons, I urge you not to confuse the 1998 and 1979 Lee Strobels.  If you confuse them, you will miss a great deal.  You will miss a Christian reporting a skeptics investigation.

Next Time:  The Case For Christ — Evidence

Ron

The Church Calendar — The Seasons

Hello:

We will begin to explore the seasons within the church calendars in more detail.  The first season in the church year is Advent.  Advent begins in either late November or early December and lasts 4 Sundays.  Advent is one of two penitential seasons in the church year.  Within the Roman Catholic and Anglican communions,  the liturgical color for Advent is purple.  The Lutheran church also uses blue.  Advent’straditional function in the church calendar is for the Christian to prepare for the Christmas season.  It places the church in the position of the nation of Israel waiting for the coming of the messiah.  However, there is  second function for Advent.  This second function is to look to the second coming of Jesus.  It puts us in a parallel position.  While Israel waits for the coming messiah, the church waits for the returning messiah.   

The Advent wreath is popular symbol and may be used in the home as well as the church.  An advent wreath is a circle of evergreen or gold with 4 candles placed on the wreath.  There is also a fifth candle placed in the center of the wreath.  This candle is called the Christ candle.  The candles on the wreath are 3 purple (or blue) and a rose-colored candle.  During each week of Advent w light a new candle.  We light a purple one the first week.  During the second week we light 2 purple candles.  During the third week we light 2 purple and a rose candle.  In some churches the vestments and church hangings are rose as well.  During the final week all 4 candles are lighted.   On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day the Christ candle is lit also.

There are specific bible readings  for the advent seasons as well as hymns and other music.