Christianity - A Journey from Facts to Fiction — Page 103
Revival or Resurrection? 103 similar fashion even then? Why did it only happen the second time Jesus as left his body? Under the circumstances only two avenues are open to proceed further: 1. That the person of Jesus as did not remain eternally confined to the human body after his soul returned to it and that during his ascent he cast away his human body and as- cended purely as a spirit of God. This is neither supported by facts nor is it conceivable because that would lead into a blind alley of believing that Jesus as died twice. The first time on the cross and the second time on Ascen- sion. 2. That he remained confined within the human shell eter- nally. This cannot be accepted because it is utterly repulsive and in- consistent with the dignity and majesty of the image of God. On the other hand, we have a point of view of common sense; ‘It would be a mistake to understand Jesus’ as ascension as a sort of ancient space trip, and heaven as a place beyond the sun, moon and the galaxies. The truth is neither here nor there. ’ * 4 The con- coction of such a bizarre story, therefore, could only have been motivated by the insoluble dilemma that the Christians faced during the nascent period of Christianity. When Jesus as disap- peared from view, naturally the question would have been raised as to what happened to him. The early Christians could not have * 4 The Lion Handbook of Christian Belief, Lion, London (1982) p. 120.