This is a fascinating story. It’s worth reading in its own right.
Everett Ruess is someone I’d never heard of, but upon whom many others had fixed their ideals. In the article, I’m struck by how resistant true believers are to what clearly seems to be the truth.
Christians have staked their lives upon a hero whose end of life realities are central to their hope. The difference is that the earliest propagators of the idea of the resurrection of Jesus insisted that its truth mattered.
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:14)
The revelation of Ruess’ probable demise has sent some of his believers into a frenzy of denial. Were it to be proven that Jesus did not rise from the dead, Paul’s counsel, it seems, would be that we shut up and go home.
Apparently, he who had seen Jesus raised (along with a myriad other eyewitnesses to that truth) was so confident of its truth, he could lay down a confident challenge. We can share his confidence.
Gail and Keith
I've just been reading in Acts Stephen's, Peter's, and Paul's messages to the crowds. Gets me all excited!