Lectures of Col. R. G. Ingersoll - LatestIngersoll, Robert Green
Religion
Lectures of Col. R. G. Ingersoll - Latest
Ingersoll, Robert Green
Free thought
There is another miracle I do not believe, I cannot believe it, and
that is the resurrection. And why? If it was the fact, if the dead
got out of the grave, why did He not show himself to his enemies? Why
did He not again visit Pontius Pilate? Why did He not call upon
Caiaphas, the high priest? Why did He not make another triumphal entry
into Jerusalem? Why did He not again enter the temple and dispute with
the doctors? Why didn't He say to the multitude: "Here are the wounds
in My feet, and in My hands, and in My side. I am the one you
endeavored to kill, but Death is My slave." Why didn't He? Simply
because the thing never happened. I cannot believe it. But recollect,
it makes no difference with its teachings. They are exactly as good
whether He wrought miracles or not. Twice two are four; that needs no
miracle. Twice two are five--a miracle would not help that. Christ's
teachings are worth their effect upon the human race. It makes no
difference about miracle or about wonder, but you must remember in that
day every one believed in miracles. Nobody had any standing as a
teacher, a philosopher, a governor, or a king, about whom there was not
a something miraculous. The earth was then covered with the sons and
daughters of the gods and goddesses. That was believed in Greece, in
Rome, in Egypt, in Hindustan; everybody, nearly, believed in such
things.
Then there is another miracle that I cannot believe in, and that is the
ascension--the bodily ascension of Jesus Christ. Where was He going?
Since the telescope has been pointed at the stars, where was He going?
The New Jerusalem is not there. The abode of the gods is not there.
Where was He going? Which way did He go? That depends upon the time
of day that He left. If He left in the night He went exactly the
opposite way from what He would in the day. Who saw this miracle?
They say the disciples. Let us see what they say about it. Matthew
did not think it was worth mentioning. He doesn't speak of it at all.
On the contrary, he says that the last words of Christ were: "Lo, I am
with you always, even unto the end of the world." That is what he
says. Mark, he saw it. "So, then, after the Lord had spoken unto them
He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God." That
is all he has to say about the most wonderful thing that ever blessed
human vision--about a miracle great enough to have stuffed credulity to
bursting; and yet we have one poor, little meagre verse. So, then,
after He had quit speaking, He was caught up and sat on the right hand
of God. How does he know He was on the right hand? Did he see Him
after He had sat down? Luke says: "And it came to pass while He
blessed them He was parted from them and was carried up into heaven."
But John does not mention it. He gives as His last words this address
to Peter: "Follow thou Me." Of course He did not say that as He
ascended. In the Acts we have another account. A conversation is
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account