Best argument for Christianity?

Question

An agnostic just posted about how this was the best argument for Christianity he's ever heard of.

He pointed out how the disciples of Jesus were willing to give up everything they had in order to spread the message and truth they had witnessed. Most of them even eventually died for it.

He then rebuked it by saying many people die for their religion. But I think there is a key difference in this case. The disciples had NOTHING to gain from their sacrifice. Christ had already saved them and so it wasn't necessary for them to get into Heaven, there is no extra reward for the evangelicist, they definitely didn't live in wealth as they spent a lot of time in prison, and yet they were willing to die to proclaim the truth.

My question to you is why would anyone do this if they made it up?

Answer 1

I don't know if it's the best argument, but it is compelling indeed.

In answer to Thomas P, you missed a very important point. Muslims who strap bombs to their chest and blow up women and children believe that this particular action on their part is what will guarantee them paradise and lots of booty in the hereafter.

The disciples were taught that salvation was found through Christ, and that they had it by believing. IOW, they didn't have to die for it in order to have it. They died for it because they knew it was true and needed to pass it on.

To Freestyle: Religion & Spirituality section? Hullo????

Answer 2

You are soooooo wrong here. Is this you saying that there is a key difference and saying " The disciples had NOTHING to gain from their sacrifice"?

The disciples had everything to gain by their sacrifice, which will be given them when they died and went to heaven. What do you mean when you say "Christ already saved them?' Christ died for their sins as well as ours. He filled them with the Holy spirit so they could continue what He started, and gave them the ability to perform miracles just like He did before he asended into heaven with His Father.

All who serve God and obey His laws and accept His son Jesus as their savior recieve their rewards in heaven. You are teaching false doctrine. They died because just like the bible says...

Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

This will also take place today.

Answer 3

I think your argument is a little confused.

You say that Christianity must be true because people who had nothing to gain willingly died for it.

So is every cause that people willingly die for, with no hope of reward, true?

To use an extreme example...millions of Germans signed up to invade France, Russia etc. They were willing to die, and being in the German army didn't make them rich. They were convinced they were right; their conviction was as strong as the disciples, I would imagine.

You can't measure the worth of an idea or philosophy by the fervour of its followers.

Answer 4

Freestyle, your comment really is offending. Keep things like this for yourself. May be better for you and others...

I wouldnt say that people being prepared to die for their belief as a particularely good argument for Christianity as this may be the case for any religion; simply complete devotion.

Thinking about an argument to tell people who are not Christians would be the outcome; what is it that makes real Christians different from those who don't believe in anything? I'm not a "fully-blown" bible-reader and churchgoer, also due to a busy lifestyle. But I think knowing where you belong, sticking to "the rules" as they are laid out in the bible actually helps making life easier when you think about it.

The only real evidence, I think, for Christianity, is within yourself, Discover yourself and look at the results - you'll know if it is good for you.

Answer 5

Good question. Because they love Him. They want to do everything in their power to be pleasing to Him. It is the Holy Spirit working in them. Because they figured out the fact that this corrupt physical world means nothing to one who is saved. It is important to note that they had nothing to gain by risking their life preaching the Word, as their eternal salvation was already assured through Christ. That is what a Christian is..they want others to feel the same peace and security that they feel in their heart and mind. When the Holy Spirit comes into a Christian's heart, it's unexplainable joy and relief. Who wouldn't want to shout it from the roof tops. Telling everyone about the gift of salvation they have received. Physical death means nothing to a Christian as our bodies are just corrupt flesh, it is the soul that is precious and their soul will live on with God in heaven.

They want others to feel what they feel and that can only happen through God sending the Holy Spirit to someone with the faith to believe in Him.

Answer 6

It may be true that many people die for their religion; however, the basic difference here is that the Apostles were eye-witnesses of the miracles & ressurrection of Jesus.

No one dies for a story that he and a bunch of his friends just made up for laughs. No one is willing to die for something that he KNOWS, from his own firsthand knowledge, is a lie.

Answer 7

I totally understand your question. There was no other reason that they were willing to give their lives other than their love for Jesus and other people. The disciples SAW Jesus, HEARD Him speak, WATCHED His miracles. They had no doubt that He is the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD. This is the kind of faith that I want. They didn't die for their religion. They died (were murdered) because of their devotion to their Lord.

Answer 8

They obviously knew that the rewards were much greater than anything here on earth. Knowledge like that would serve to make it much easier to give up your life, even if it meant as much pain and suffering as the disciples went thru.

Answer 9

You are both trailing down the wrong path--looking to other humans to prove "Christianity". God's own word has been revealed to us in the Bible no matter who does what to back it up. Read it, it is the Truth and Christ is the Truth.

Answer 10

Why did all of David koreshes followers die for him, every thing about him was made up to, and those that survived still think he was the messenger from God go figure.