The Tomb of Jesus — Page 27
27. CHAPTER II. Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus. Credulous imagination built up the theory of the so-called resurrection and physical ascension of Jesus to the sky, which, however, belongs entirely to the realm of fiction. Renan says: "The glory of the Resurrection is accordingly due to Mary Magdalene. . . The image created by her vivid susceptibility still hovers before the world. She, as chief and princess among visionaries, has better than any other made the vision of her impassioned soul a real thing to the world's conviction. That grand cry from her woman's heart, "He is risen!" has become the mainspring of a faith to mankind. Hence, feeble. Reason! Test not by cold analysis this masterpiece of ideality and love! If wisdom despairs of consolation to the unhappy race of man, abandoned by destiny, let unreason attempt the venture! Where is the wise man who has bestowed upon the world so exalted joy as this visionary Mary Magdalene?" 1 E. Renan, Les Apotres, Histoire des Origines du Christianisme, livre 2-eme, Paris 1866, p. 13. Translated by J. H. Allen, Boston, 1898, p. 49.