In Argumentation and Debate there is a concept known as a Fatal Flaw. Aristotle had another name for it, he called it Hamartia and linked it directly to tragic stories of demi-gods. The idea behind both are the same. A story starts out fantastic and even unbelievable. As it is spun more and more people believe it until suddenly and emphatically, the story is discovered to be false or the person to whom the testimony belongs turns out to be lying. When these things happen the story or the person are said to exhibit a fatal flaw.
In Christianity, we have the threat of the possibility of a Fatal Flaw within our belief system. It is called the Resurrection. Literally, all of Christianity hinges on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. If the Resurrection is ever proven false, all of Christianity would have been based on a lie or fatal flaw. Some ways this could happen is if anyone ever discovered the actual body of Jesus Christ or if it could be proven that He never truly existed. No doubt efforts towards this end have been made but all have come up short. The body of Jesus Christ is yet to be found and it has been nearly 2000 years. Historians have haggled over the historicity of Jesus Christ since the 1st century and they are still haggling today.
Such a weakness in the incredible story of God providing a sacrifice for our sin by sending His one and only Son could appear to those who do not have a relationship with God as quite precarious and even illogical. Why would the so called God of creation risk His acceptance and existence on something so anecdotal? Unless it is true!
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. – 1 Corinthians 1:25
The real tragedy would be if it is true. If true, then God’s weakness is stronger than man’s argument and disbelief. The tragedy then being the life of those who willfully chose to live without trying to know Him.
Even if the Resurrection could be proven, we need not assume that such proof would bring about mass conversions or what we Christians call revival. It may be that those without a relationship with God would just find another reason to continue in their disbelief. We fool ourselves if we think God draws men unto Himself only with crafty arguments of men, convincing research or even proof. God draws people to Himself by the power of the Holy Spirit. Incidentally, this is the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
You see, the Resurrection is really a story about the Power of God over the last known enemy, death!
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. – 1 Corinthians 15:26
Death is the payment we all owe for sin. Not only did Jesus live a sinless life, but He also conquered death by rising from the dead. God is not hampered by sin or by death and by Him sending His Son, He made a way where there appeared no way.
But he said, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’ – Luke 18:27
Resurrection and hence salvation are impossible for man to achieve. Only God can make salvation from sin and death possible for mankind and the Resurrection of the dead inevitable for all.
So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. – 1 Corinthians 15:42-44
Even before His crucifixion, Jesus knew who He was and what He was here to do,
Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live!’ –John 11:25
The writer of Hebrews identified with Jesus’s statement and let us know that,
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. – Hebrews 9:27-28
Accordingly, resurrection is then required in order to be present at the judgment. Therefore, Easter is not only a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead but also anticipation of our resurrection to come. Furthermore, the implication is that by Jesus being raised from the dead, we too can be raised. By the resurrection being a pre-requisite for the judgment, we too will be at the judgment. The fact that a judgment will take place means we will participate in some form of eternal life.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. – John 14:3
Finally, what we have in regard to the resurrection and the celebration of Easter on April 5th of 2015, is not a Fatal Flaw but an Eternal Advantage.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 1:3
I too have decided to be weak and risk my existence and acceptance on the possible Fatal Flaw of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, I did not come by this decision through my own volition. God by the power of His Holy Spirit brought me unto Himself. My full testimony can be found in my memoir: “From Hide and Seek to Marco Polo: My Brother’s Shoes.” But I will say that it was a very subjective experience. The subjective way by which God chooses to save people is one of the greatest signs that God is who He says He is. He has drawn people into a relationship with Himself the same way since the beginning of time. You must heed the call of God in your own life and by doing so, you are promised to be a part of the resurrection.
Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. – Romans 10:9-10
Happy Easter!
