1. “I believe…in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord…on the third day he rose again from the dead…” Please have your catechisms and Bibles this week

3. What’s at Stake? “Christians ought to realize how difficult, how scandalous, how objectionable, how apparently unbelievable and absurd this doctrine is bound to appear to others” -Kreeft “Christians ought to realize how difficult, how scandalous, how objectionable, how apparently unbelievable and absurd this doctrine is bound to appear to others” -Kreeft

4. What’s at Stake? Only the whole of Christianity UNLESS From an objective standpoint, and therefore something all of us should admit, these events are the craziest things (literally most insane, ‘lock me up and throw away the key’, ridiculous), the stupidest things (most unintelligent, most idiotic, most foolish, silliest, most irrational), or the biggest lies (shams, tales, untruths, fraudulent stories) a person has ever told or believed…UNLESS…

5. If they are true… Then the Incarnation, the Paschal Mystery, and Resurrection are the most sane, least ridiculous, most brilliant, most beautiful, most rational, most amazing, most truthful, etc. things that have ever or will ever happen in the history of the universe. Is Jesus Lord, lunatic, or liar?

6. The Four Essentials about Christ p. 129-132 1. His name: What does his name teach us about his mission? What does his name teach us about his mission? Is it enough to call him a great man, prophet, teacher, leader, example, philosopher, moralist, etc? Is it enough to call him a great man, prophet, teacher, leader, example, philosopher, moralist, etc? 2. His origin: What natures does Christ have? What natures does Christ have? ¶464, 469 ¶464, 469

7. The Four Essentials About Christ 3. His life: 1. How do Christians celebrate Christ’s agony and death? 2. Where do Christians and non-Christians cease to have common ground? 3. What is the great ‘but’? What 2 things does it accomplish? 4. What is the good (incredible) news? 5. What in Christianity has “as its point the resurrected Christ”?

8. The Four Essentials About Christ 4. His destiny: What do Christians expect and wait in hope for? What do Christians expect and wait in hope for?

9. Probative Force Probative: (adj.) tending to prove something. When a legal controversy goes to trial, the parties seek to prove their cases by the introduction of evidence. All courts are governed by rules of evidence that describe what types of evidence are admissible. One key element for the admission of evidence is whether it proves or helps prove a fact or issue. If so, the evidence is deemed probative. Probative evidence establishes or contributes to proof. We will be examining the evidence concerning Jesus and weighing it to make a judgment about him.

10. Proof for Christ’s Divinity 1. Miracles ¶547-550 ¶547-550 Invite and strengthen faith Invite and strengthen faith 2. Resurrection Resurrection ¶651, 653-655 ¶651, 653-655 “Confirmation of all of Christ’s works and teachings” “Confirmation of all of Christ’s works and teachings” “Closely linked to the Incarnation” “Closely linked to the Incarnation” His death “liberates us from sin” and his Resurrection “opens for us the way to a new life” His death “liberates us from sin” and his Resurrection “opens for us the way to a new life” “Our future resurrection” “Our future resurrection”

11. Proof for Christ’s Divinity 3. Prophesies ¶439, 652, 601 ¶439, 652, 601 The Messiah was “promised by God to Israel” The Messiah was “promised by God to Israel” “in accordance with the Scriptures” “in accordance with the Scriptures” “divine plan of salvation” and Isaiah’s suffering servant “divine plan of salvation” and Isaiah’s suffering servant Road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35) Road to Emmaus (Lk 24:13-35) Heartburn! Heartburn! Catholicism and Reason (ch. 6) Catholicism and Reason (ch. 6)

12. Proof for Christ’s Divinity 4. History Gamaliel (Acts 5:17-42) Gamaliel (Acts 5:17-42) Ch. 8 in Handbook (63-66) “Impossibility of the alternative” Ch. 8 in Handbook (63-66) “Impossibility of the alternative” 2 premises: 2 premises: Christ is trustworthy Christ is trustworthy Christ claimed to be God Christ claimed to be God Conclusion: Conclusion: Therefore, Christ was God Therefore, Christ was God SAINTS SAINTS Fr. Richard Veras article Fr. Richard Veras article The Resurrection (2) is a proven historical event (4) that proves Christ’s divinity The Resurrection (2) is a proven historical event (4) that proves Christ’s divinity

13. Weighing the Evidence: FOR 1. 1. Miracles 2. 2. Resurrection 3. 3. Prophesies 4. 4. History AGAINST

14. p. 66-68 in Handbook 1. If the logical evidence against Christ’s divinity is strongest then the logical and honest thing to do is… 2. If, however, the logical evidence for Christ’s divinity is strongest then the logical and honest thing to do is… If we admit that the logical evidence for Christ’s divinity is strongest, why do so many still disbelieve? If we admit that the logical evidence for Christ’s divinity is strongest, why do so many still disbelieve?

15. Motives for Unbelief (p.66-68) Not for rational reasons Not for rational reasons 1. Rejecting Christians not Christ 2. Fear of the Church 3. Morality 4. Afraid of the mysterious and uncontrollable 5. Pride 6. Not intellectually fashionable to believe Christ as a teacher above all other teachers 7. Equality 8. Other

16. Motives for Unbelief 1. Choose one of the 8 motives listed that you think is the most compelling, that is, what is the most popular motive for not believing? 2. In your group, someone should be the recorder for the following: 1. Discuss why you think it is the most compelling motive. 2. What rational arguments can you make to disprove the motives? 3. What can we do to specifically address these motives when rational arguments do not seem to suffice?

17. Reply to Motive #1 "I put up with this Church, in the hope that one day it will become better, just as it is constrained to put up with me in the hope that one day I will become better.“ -Erasmus