"because there were people who believed he rose from the dead and was the Son of God, that's why he had staying power."
Yup, i think that's exactly it.
And i totally get your going in circles logic.
If he didn't rise from the dead, i can't understand how his disciples would have (A) believed that he did (B) tried to make other people believe that he did. But of course, it's pretty damn hard to understand/believe that he rose from the dead.
So we are at a point of understanding and not knowing and one of these days there will be a post with all the interesting stuff about the Resurrection and the early Church and suchlike that i will have researched between now and then.
*leans back, takes a deep breath, and applauds us*
"this is IT. really, I mean it!" And so it is.
Yup, i think that's exactly it.
And i totally get your going in circles logic.
If he didn't rise from the dead, i can't understand how his disciples would have (A) believed that he did (B) tried to make other people believe that he did. But of course, it's pretty damn hard to understand/believe that he rose from the dead.
So we are at a point of understanding and not knowing and one of these days there will be a post with all the interesting stuff about the Resurrection and the early Church and suchlike that i will have researched between now and then.
*leans back, takes a deep breath, and applauds us*