The day of the crucifixion.
Why argue about the difference of opinion. Wouldn’t it be better to just rejoice in what we agree about, He arose?
With Easter Sunday just a few days away, this week has been filled with articles, memes, and various information surrounding the final week of the life of Jesus Christ. At issue, most of the time, is the day of His crucifixion.
· Catholics and the majority of Protestants accept it as Friday and, in a weird twist, refer to the day as “Good Friday”.
· Bible students of the evangelical and (they believe) enlightened sort claim it is Thursday. I had a professor at college, a very well-educated man, who took this position.
· Extremists of the Baptist sort embrace Wednesday as the day of the crucifixion.
I agree with this position. I am certain that the events of the week and Jesus’ claim of three days and three nights, requires a Wednesday crucifixion.
Then comes the question, “Why argue over which day the crucifixion happened? Why can’t we all just celebrate the thing we all agree about, Christ arose?”
It’s a sentiment that is echoed many times within the community of Christendom. It is the anthem of ecumenicalism. It is essential in a universal, invisible church, and it is the foundation of virtually every para-church organization.
· Promise Keepers three decades ago chanted “Breaking Down the Walls of Doctrine.”
· Everything from Bill Gothard’s Institute for Basic Youth Conflicts to Child Evangelism
· Fellowships survive in an atmosphere of fellowship around the things agreed upon and avoidance of those areas of disagreement.[1]
It’s a misunderstanding of Jesus’ words,
John 13:34-35 (KJV)
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
And
John 17:21 (KJV)
That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
I would simply want to point out that Jesus and His Father were one in essence. They would not have been vague about their doctrine. Their fellowship is in unity of truth.
“He is risen” is the only the most important part if the Bible is true because it is from the Bible we learn that He has risen. The Bible is only true if it is true in every part. One mistake, one error, one failure to be true and there is nothing, including the most important parts, that can be trusted.
Is it possible that we have made an error in our understanding? Of course. But to claim those areas of disagreement are unimportant and unworthy of debate,[2] leads to a powerless, conviction-less Christianity destined to be worthless to the world and to those who claim to possess it.
Marvin McKenzie
In the fields (while safely sheltered at home)
[1] My opinion is that this is what led to the disintegration of the Baptist Bible Fellowship. From its inception it existed around the drive to support missionaries. All that was necessary for participation was agreement to a particular, but vague enough doctrinal statement that allowed churches, mostly Baptists, to work together. With the internet came discussion groups and preachers became familiar with the huge differences among them. These differences quickly drove them apart.
[2] I said debate, not fighting.
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