Expert: George A. Card,sfo, M.I - 3/29/2004

Question
Specifically, how do we know that the disciples were not foisting their claims to decieve people to give them false hopes and hapiness? Any information or explanation would be of great help.


Thanks,
Matt Bachman

Answer
                     Peace

Dear Matt

    Some might answer simply its a matter of trust in them. I feel its more than that. The historical record outside the Bible tell us a few things.
     Jesus whom they wrote about did indeed walked the earth, was a Hebrew, and was crucifixed at the encouragement of some (not all) of the spiritual leaders of the Hebrew nation. Upon reading the Bible and other sources of the period, we need to discern if He was Messiah(as He claimed),Master (as in a spiritual teacher) or Madman.
    The same can be applied to his first and even current followers that form His Church.

The Following are some classic book suggestions that might get you started in such discernment.


   title            Author      
Mere Christianity / C.S. Lewis *  
"Orthodoxy"       / G.K. Chesterson+
The Life of Christ / Fulton J. Sheen  
Where We Got the Bible/  Henry G. Graham-
To Know Jesus Christ / Frank Sheed+

* not Catholic but a favorite
+ converts to Catholicism from agnosticism
- convert to Catholicism from some type of Protestantism
If you cant find any of the above, I can send you a copy free or another list of suggestions.


                            Your servant But His first
                                  
                              george card/rav Jerome72