Christian Evangelism Practice

CHATGPT: As a skeptic, I would say: Sure, I'm open to hearing about different perspectives, but I have a hard time believing in something I cannot see or scientifically prove. How do you know that Jesus is real and not just a story or myth? ME: There's actually more historical proof for the existence of the Biblical Jesus than any other person from that time period. There were several first hand account documents from within the first generation of His death. CHATGPT: That's an interesting point. I wasn't aware that there was historical evidence for Jesus' existence. However, even if Jesus existed as a historical figure, how do you know that the supernatural claims made about him, such as his miracles and resurrection, are true? ME: Great question. Do you know anything about Roman executions? Do you know if they were pretty good at them? CHATGPT: Yes, I'm aware that the Romans were very efficient and brutal in their execution methods, particularly crucifixion. They were known for their ability to ensure the death of the person being crucified. ME: Exactly. So if we know that Jesus did in fact live, and we know that the Romans, in their immense brutality, knew how to kill someone properly, then wouldn't it make sense for us to believe that Jesus did actually die? CHATGPT: Yes, given the historical evidence for Jesus' existence and the Romans' proficiency in carrying out crucifixions, it seems reasonable to believe that Jesus was crucified and died. However, this still doesn't explain the claims of his resurrection. How can we be sure that he actually rose from the dead? ME: This again is where we turn to those first hand accounts. Several discovered texts stated that Jesus continued to live, breathe, walk, and act with his followers even after the time of His death. We're able to have further evidence that it wasn't just people that believed in Him that made these claims. There were others who saw Jesus in His resurrected state and yet still didn't believe Him to be the Messiah. However, they didn't refute the claim that He was resurrected since He was standing right before their very eyes. CHATGPT: It's intriguing to learn about these accounts, especially that some people who didn't believe in Jesus as the Messiah still acknowledged his resurrection. The fact that multiple sources attest to this event adds credibility to the claim. While I'm still not fully convinced, I appreciate that there is more evidence for Jesus' resurrection than I initially realized. What impact does Jesus' resurrection have on the core beliefs of Christianity? ME: The Bible states that if this one portion of the Bible wasn't true--if Jesus did not rise from the dead--then we Christ-followers are a people most to be pittied! We have to look back to the Old Testament. How did a Just God deal with the disobedience of His followers? God demanded payment in the form of animal sacrifices. These sacrifices had to be made repeatedly though since they (even unblemished, immaculate animals) were not perfect enough. Ultimately, their sacrifices were pointing towards a sacrifice that would remain forever. More than that perfect sacrifice Lamb paying the penalty for their disobedience, this sacrifice would not remain dead, but instead He would rise like a victorious Lion showing that disobedience and sin were defeated forever. CHATGPT: I see how Jesus' resurrection is an essential part of the Christian faith and how it connects to the idea of redemption and sacrifice present in the Old Testament. This gives me a better understanding of the significance of the resurrection in Christianity. It seems like a message of hope and the ultimate victory over sin and death. I'm still not entirely convinced, but I appreciate your explanation and how you've connected it to the broader context of the Christian narrative. Can you tell me more about how Jesus' teachings can be applied to our daily lives?