Truth About The Crucifixion — Page 254
to appear over-defensive when such attacks are directed at us. However, in view of the publicity given to this conference in a way calculated to stir up controversy, we feel bound to make three comments: 1. We re-affirm our belief in the historicity of the crucifixion and death of Jesus which is attested by the four gospels and by the unanimous testimony of early Christian tradition: we recognize that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross may seem a scandal and an affront to divine justice, but we believe that in the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross we see the love of God which suffers on behalf of others and which does not forgive without a cost: 2. We look forward to conversations in the future (in an unpublicised setting) between Muslims of the Ahmadiyya Movement and Christians, in London and elsewhere, for a mutual sharing of convictions on the meaning of God's compassionate and merciful nature, and on questions relating to the significance of Jesus: 3. Although we do not agree that there is firm evidence for any visit by Jesus to Central Asia or the Indian sub-continent, we fully accept the fact that the figure of Jesus, whom we believe to be the living Christ, belongs to all nations and countries, and that all links between the Chris. tian movement and different cultures in the early centuries should be taken seriously and explored. 246