The Optimist

Michelle Jimenez

Jesus was resurrected from the dead. And apparently so did many other gods back in his day.

I just discovered this little tidbit. After watching a NOOMA video called "You," Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Mich., explains to his audience that in Jesus' time to hear of someone's god being resurrected wasn't anything unique - in fact, it was common.

I didn't know this before, but if this is true, if this claim of other gods being raised from the dead is true, then what makes Christianity so special? What makes it stand out and be different or unique from all the rest?

This was Bell's question.

Back then, a resurrection wasn't extraordinary, but in this present day, Christ's resurrection is unique and does stand out from other religions. I don't know much about the other religions of this world, and from the very little that I do know, I have yet to hear about another god resurrecting from the dead.

Christ's raising from the dead, descending into hell, returning to his people to been seen by them for 40 days and then being ascended back into heaven are uncommon characteristics in any other god. But there's more to it than that.

Bell explains that the reason why Christianity is different, the reason why it is so special has more to do with its people than anything else. We are the Gospel, he said.

And this is true. A religion is defined by the way its followers act out their faith. The outside world sees this and labels it. It's how they act towards other people, how they react in the face of persecution and how they live out the faith that draws people in or just utterly repulses them.

The character of God is witnessed through his children.

For outside people to see the compassion, mercy, grace and love God grants his people to the point of overflowing, and for them to understand that the way of God is difficult but good, his followers need to act accordingly and be ready to give a seasoned answer for the hope that's within them to all who ask.

This summer people will travel the world for various reasons - for the ministry, for pleasure or for work. But whether you're in Texas or Australia, in New Zealand or England, in Russia or the deserts of Iraq, people will come to you and ask why you serve the God of Christianity and what makes it so special from all the rest.

What answer will you give?

Email Jimenez at optimist@acu.edu

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