Forty Days to the Ascension - Pt. 5

 

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. (1 Corinthians 15:3-7 ESV).

 

There are two appearances not mentioned in the Gospels: the appearance to the 500; and, the appearance to James. Of all the appearances you might think that the appearance to the 500 would have been recorded in some detail since it was the most widely experienced appearance. Surely it would have been easy to support with so many witnesses. Yet there is no account of it, other than it did in fact happen. Even then it is the Apostle Paul who records the fact of this appearance and that of the one to James. The time frame is not clear. Only that it happened after the appearance to the five hundred and before the final appearance to the apostles. Our reading makes no big emphasis of these appearances. They are simply stated, perhaps even understated.  

 

While it is curious, I believe it is intentional in offering further proof that the Bible is not a history book in the conventional sense. Rather it is a highly selective telling of what took place, not a complete account. The Bible makes no pretenses to be something it is not. It is quite clear that it is a selective book (cf. John 20:20). Since publishing my own work of fiction I have some insights that may be of help to you as they have been to me in regard to the reliability of the Bible and especially the Resurrection.

 

First, the differences of the Gospels (as well as other passages recording the same events) merely serve to underscore the truthfulness of the events and their description. When I wrote Lone Star: Independence I wanted to make sure of most of historical facts mentioned; however, since my purpose was to tell a story of fiction, I took great liberty with purpose of those facts. There is no doubt or difference in the continuity and solidarity of the purpose of the Scripture. It points either forward or backward to the work of Christ in redeeming the children of God. Every writer is certain of this truth and accomplishes this task clearly as one writer might. Second, this reliability extends from the merest mention to the greatest exposition of the truth of the work of Christ. In this case, that means Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected appearing to many as proof of His redemptive work. All of these things can be trusted completed, just as He can be trusted completely. That’s the “good” in Good News!