Professor Doron Nof of Florida State University has claimed that Jesus didn't walk on water after all - apparently there was an ice formation on the Sea of Galilee and he walked on that instead!
Now this is rather silly. Is he trying to claim that Jesus was walking on ice, and:
It would be much simpler for Professor Nof to simply claim that this was a legend, and never part of the historical Jesus. Instead he is trying to argue that the event happened, but just wasn't a miracle.
Very unlikely I'm afraid. The disciples knew that people do not just walk on water, and consequently couldn't understand how Jesus was doing it.
Professor Nof's explanation is simply wrong.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Now this is rather silly. Is he trying to claim that Jesus was walking on ice, and:
- The ice was extremely isolated so that the boat that the disciples were in could still be "buffeted by the waves" (Mt 14:25).
- The disciples failed to notice that Jesus was walking on the ice instead of water, and thought he was a ghost walking above the water.
- Peter managed to get out of the boat (buffeted by waves), walk on those waves until he panicked, when he then sunk (until Jesus caught him).
It would be much simpler for Professor Nof to simply claim that this was a legend, and never part of the historical Jesus. Instead he is trying to argue that the event happened, but just wasn't a miracle.
Very unlikely I'm afraid. The disciples knew that people do not just walk on water, and consequently couldn't understand how Jesus was doing it.
Professor Nof's explanation is simply wrong.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Comments
The most plausible non-miracle explanation I've had for this was that it was essentially an error in translation. The original greek said "walked by the water". This lost gospel was re-told by someone else, whose greek was not as good, and so the story was elaborated into "on the water."This is based on the idea that the gospels we have now are actually retellings by others, rather than by the original writers. I think it was Don Mills who was eplaining it to me, and it was some years ago. :)realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
This sounds very implausible to me. The walking on water episode is contained in several of the gospels - two of the gospel writers were present at the time (Matthew and John), and another (Mark) wrote a lot of his from Peter's account (who was also present).Given the large number of copies of these gospels that we have, a minor transposition error seems unlikely here (there are known transposition errors - these are generally easily identified as there is a minor difference between manuscripts).However, I think what clinches it is that none of the story makes sense if Jesus was walking by the water, instead of on the water. First of all, the disciples probably wouldn't have noticed him (they were in the middle of a storm trying to keep their boat afloat). Secondly, they wouldn't have thought he was a ghost, and thirdly, Peter wouldn't have got out of the boat to walk on the water as well. Basically a transposition error does not make sense here - you really have to argue that the entire story is a myth instead.Furthermore, the only case when you really need to argue against this is if you have already determined that miracles are impossible. If Jesus was the Son of God, then walking on water is not a problem. If you are not convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, then this is not where I would start for evidence of miracles.There is far greater evidence for the resurrection of Jesus than for Jesus walking on water. That is where to start - once that has been established, the miraculous is no longer a problem, and so the only real objection to the walking on water episode disappears.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
All I know about Jesus walking on water is how it has helped me. Firstly if I ever get into situations and problems I find hard to deal with. I find if I take them to God in prayer and focus on Christ, I can walk on the 'waters' However if I brood on the problem and keep focusing on the problem, I find I sink under the troubled waters.So I know I learned a wonderful lesson from Peters experience with Christ.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
People would rather have a scientific explanation, than rather just accept the truth, that God is God, and nothing is impossible with God.
The Bible specifically talks about people who are wise in there own eyes, become as fools. God created our science, He is a Spirit (Eternal Spirit), therefore you cannot explain the Supernatural workings of God in the natural.
Just as no one can explain how God has No Begining, He is the Great I AM...
All religions are made by man
Christianity is Not a religion,
but a way of life with the True Living God. The Bible is Gods Word to humans that we may turn to Him through His Son Jesus Christ, the Living True God. The Great I AM...realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Father Son HolySpirit, the Great I AM...realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
People would rather have a scientific explanation, than rather just accept the truth, that God is God, and nothing is impossible with God.
The Bible specifically talks about people who are wise in there own eyes, become as fools. God created our science, He is a Spirit (Eternal Spirit), therefore you cannot explain the Supernatural workings of God in the natural.
Just as no one can explain how God has No Begining, He is the Great I AM...
All religions are made by man
Christianity is Not a religion,
but a way of life with the True Living God. The Bible is Gods Word to humans that we may turn to Him through His Son Jesus Christ, the Living True God. The Great I AM...realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Father Son HolySpirit, the Great I AM...realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
It is also a reference to the beginning of the book of Genesis.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Gen 1:
[1] In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
[2] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
[3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
[4] And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darknessrealtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Matt 14
[25] And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
[26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
[27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
The beauty of scripture is a miracle in itself :)realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
The Word Of GOD manifests all creation. In Revelations Jesus is given the title "The Word of GOD", which is The Sword Of GOD. Jesus really has been with GOD since the beginning of all creation. He came out of GOD. realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
However, we must be careful that we donot deny GOD. Jesus is "The Word of GOD" but we must understand that GOD did not die on the cross because GOD is immortal. If Jesus was GOD then he would not be able to sit on HIS right hand side in heaven. Jesus explicity in scripture tells us when he has no authority but only the Father in Heaven.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Luke 18
[18] And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
[19] And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Does Jesus know the time or the hour of GODS day of wrath. No!realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Mark 13
[31] Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
[32] But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Also...realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Matt 20
[20] Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
[21] And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
[22] But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
[23] And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
Jesus is directly of GOD he is "The Word of GOD" but GOD also makes the decisions so we must not deny GOD. GOD is within Jesus, since Jesus was born directly of HIS seed and Jesus is of GOD. This is what is meant when Jesus tells us that My Father and I are one.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
People always try to prove the bible wrong with science, but they never look at the science that supports the bible. There is actually more evidence to support the existance of God then against it, such as life being created naturally would viloate the 2nd law of thereodynamics. Also there are tons of scientific claims made in the bible long before science discovered them, such as "life is in the blood"(Leviticus 17:11), or ". . . and hangeth the earth upon NOTHING." (Job 26:7). Also the book of Genesis is the only religious book that got the events of the creation of the universe correct. In science there is no proofs, only theories and assumptions made based on evidence. Well there is tons of evidence supporting the bible's divine inspiration so by questioning that statement would be like questioning whether the earth orbits the sun, or whether gravity exists.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
People always try to prove the bible wrong with science, but they never look at the science that supports the bible. There is actually more evidence to support the existance of God then against it, such as life being created naturally would viloate the 2nd law of thereodynamics. Also there are tons of scientific claims made in the bible long before science discovered them, such as "life is in the blood"(Leviticus 17:11), or ". . . and hangeth the earth upon NOTHING." (Job 26:7). Also the book of Genesis is the only religious book that got the events of the creation of the universe correct. In science there is no proofs, only theories and assumptions made based on evidence. Well there is tons of evidence supporting the bible's divine inspiration so by questioning that statement would be like questioning whether the earth orbits the sun, or whether gravity exists.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver
People always try to prove the bible wrong with science, but they never look at the science that supports the bible. There is actually more evidence to support the existance of God then against it, such as life being created naturally would viloate the 2nd law of thereodynamics. Also there are tons of scientific claims made in the bible long before science discovered them, such as "life is in the blood"(Leviticus 17:11), or ". . . and hangeth the earth upon NOTHING." (Job 26:7). Also the book of Genesis is the only religious book that got the events of the creation of the universe correct. In science there is no proofs, only theories and assumptions made based on evidence. Well there is tons of evidence supporting the bible's divine inspiration so by questioning that statement would be like questioning whether the earth orbits the sun, or whether gravity exists.realtek rtl8139 win9x driver