Well, This Should Stir Things Up!

According to a New York Times article, a stone tablet found years ago in the Dead Sea region of Jordan has finally been translated. And what a translation it is!

Apparently, it is the first pre-Christian source to speak of a messianic figure who dies and is resurrected in three days, defeating the evils of the world through the act of self-sacrifice. The big question is: how will this affect Christianity?

At issue is the question of uniqueness. Is the resurrection of Jesus a unique, historical event, or was it part of Jewish beliefs prior to Jesus' day? And should it even be seen as a historic event, or as a metaphor / myth that points to something else? Perhaps we need to start with the question of what is a messiah, and what does it mean to anticipate the coming of one (or the return of one).

Alas, I'm going to have to wait until I delve into this one. I need coffee and I have work to do!

So read the article and let me know what you think.