Three renowned scientists\u2014Papaia, Banani, Ravioli\u2014and their assistant Igor work at the NASAL observatory.
Ravioli accidentally bought a book that turns out to be very interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are at the airport.
While waiting in line for check-in, they are talking about Ravioli’s book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: Well, how do we know that Paul didn\u2019t just make up this creed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: Great question! The point is that Paul explicitly says he received this creed and passed it on. This language is typical of the rabbinic tradition to indicate a teaching received from others and not invented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: Yes, but he could have still made it up and then passed it off as an older tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: That would be difficult because Paul says he personally met Peter and James, the brother of Jesus, just a few years after the crucifixion. If he had invented this creed, they would have immediately denied it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: And instead, they don\u2019t deny it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: No, in fact! The fact that Paul went to them to confirm the gospel he was preaching means that the disciples already had this same message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banani: So, if I understand correctly, the creed didn\u2019t originate with Paul but already existed among the early Christians, and Paul simply passes it on in his letters?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ravioli: Exactly! This proves that the disciples believed and preached that Jesus had risen from the dead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Igor: “In a thousand years, if anyone is still around, some will think that Papaia\u2019s travels are just a legend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026Indeed, journeys like these seem too absurd to be true!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 But, in the end, all this crowd that\u2019s watching us right now will prevent future generations from thinking of it as a myth. In fact, I can assure you that this story will be told so much that it will become\u2026 an oral tradition!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026And when someone wonders if Papaia and his colleagues were just fictional characters, some historian will answer them: ‘No! Those fools really existed!'”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23<\/p>\n\n\n\n