We think the most reasonable conclusion in the case is, that Christ,
instead of performing those Munchausen prodigies attributed to him--such
as casting out devils, raising the dead, controlling the elements of
nature, etc.--led such an ordinary, obscure life--excelling only in
healing the sick and other noble deeds of charity and philanthropy--that
he attracted but little notice by the higher classes, or by anybody but
those of a similar turn of mind, till he was deified by Constantine, in
the year 325 A. D. Hence, the time of his birth was not recorded, and
was forgotten. Consequently, the twenty-fifth of December was selected
as his birthday, because it was the birthday of other Gods, and because
it was regarded by the heathen, from time immemorial, as the birthday
of Sol, the glorious luminary of heaven, it being the period he is born
again into a new year, and "commences again his journey and his life;"
and because, also, this epoch was, as Sharon Turner informs us, in his
"History of the Anglo-Saxons," the commencement of a new year up to the
tenth century.
These events signalized the twenty-fifth of December, and made it a
period of sufficient importance to lead the early Christians to suppose
it must have been the birthday of their Messiah. Mosheim, however,
confesses that the day or the year in which it happened "has not been
fixed with certainty, notwithstanding the profound researches of the
learned." So that it is still an open question as to when Christ was
born. What day of the month, what year, or what century it took place
in, is still unknown. This circumstance is, as before suggested,
sufficient of itself to utterly prostrate all faith in the divine claims
for Jesus Christ. What would be thought of a witness who should testify
in court to the truth of an occurrence of which he did not know the
year, or even the century, in which it took place, or who could come no
nearer than one hundred and thirty-three years in fixing or guessing at
the time. Would the court accept such testimony?
CHAPTER IX. TITLES OF THE SAVIORS
THE various deific titles applied to Jesus Christ in the New Testament
are regarded by some Christian writers as presumptive evidence of his
divinity. But the argument proves too much for the case; as we find the
proof in history that many other beings, whom Christians regard as
men, were honored and addressed by the same titles, such as God, Lord,
Savior, Redeemer, Mediator, Messiah, etc.
The Hindoo Chrishna, more than two thousand years ago, was prayerfully
worshiped as "God the Most High." His disciple Amarca once addressed
him thus: "Thou art the Lord of all things, the God of the universe, the
emblem of mercy, the bestower of salvation. Be propitious O most High
God," etc. Here he is addressed both as Lord and God. He is also styled
"God of Gods."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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