“But test everything;
hold fast to what is good, abstain from every evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21,22)
The same standards that apply to others apply also to me. Commitment to the truth obligates me to submit
my opinions to authorities in the fields in which I choose to write. It is my habit to read from people whose
position on the particular issue at hand differs from mine because I think it valuable
to view issues from points of view that lie outside of my own bias frame of
mind. Indeed I have a bias…just like
everyone else. I want to test my point
of view against the best thinking of others, and so adjust my own position when
the facts dictate because I want to be assured that I am not leading others
astray. Engagement with other people
helps me understand them, even as it also helps me sharpen my own thinking. Consequently in 2001, I posted a position paper
titled, “Hoax? Myth? Or Literally True?,” which argued for the historical
resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth from the dead.
A number of years ago, in response to my article, I received an e-mail
from a Professor of psychiatry at Stockholm [Sweden] University who was also a
self-professed atheist. In order to whet
your appetite, I will below provide the first several e-mail exchanges of what
turns out to be a rather extensive back and forth on this very question. One of my biggest regrets is that, over time,
I lost the last third of our interchange.
But for now I invite you to visit my website at www.christianityontheoffense.com
(notice the reverse in word order from my blog address) where you can read the entire
exchange (well, the first two thirds) for yourself. It is titled, “Kalle Spolander.” With the exception of joining sentences into
a single paragraph for each date, I have not edited the contents of the “debate.” I also strongly encourage looking at my entire essay, "Hoax? Myth? or Literally True?: The Evidence For Jesus' Bodily Resurrection," at the same website.
April 28, 2001
Good evening, I
stumbled across one of your articles on www.christiananswers.net, called,
“How do we know that Jesus really rose from the dead?” Never have I seen such stupidity and twisting
and picking and mixing of facts. Would
you care to debate me about the contents of the articles? Tell me if you have the time and energy to do
it.
Regards, Kalle, Stockholm University
April 28, 2001, 11:00 AM
Yes, Kalle, I am interested in debating you. I must say at the outset, that I am not
slightly impressed with your charges.
Wherever people come down on this question, even if, in the end, they
remain unpersuaded, it is silly to make the kind of attacks represented by your
e-mail. I am expecting the level of
discussion for your side will rise. What
you read on Christiananswers.net is a rather heavily edited version of an essay
I have prepared. My paper edition I
distribute on street corners here in Seattle, including the University of
Washington, and several other colleges.
I am, however, sending you, as an attachment, a somewhat longer edition
that can go over the internet so that you both can read my argument in context
and consider my notes and sources. I am
eager for substantive response from you that rises above mere
name-calling. Sincerely, Gary Jensen
April 29
Good morning, How
interesting. I must admit that this came
as quite a shock for me. I wasn’t
prepared to rebut a 125kb text. But I
will take the time, of course. But it
will of course take longer than I intended.
I hope you understand that. I
must also ask for your permission to present this debate in full on a website
for others to read. I think I have to
take back my stupidity claim, since I didn’t read your text in full. I apologize for that. Now I will begin to deal with your
essay. Though I am a working man, I hope
to be able to finish it this week at least.
April 29, 2001
Good morning Kalle, I
hope I have your name correct. Not only
am I interested in debating you, but I give you full permission to make the
debate public on your website. Do you
intend to post my essay so that people can read my position in context? Sincerely, Gary Jensen
April 30…...
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