Basis of Beliefs

(Based on facts)

Perhaps this is one lingering question in the minds of many people. The question for example that needs an answer. Why Christianity has become one major religion in our world. What’s the basis? In philosophy there’s an age-old principle that runs thus: Contra factum non valet argumentum (There are no stronger arguments than facts).

That is how Jesus answered the question of the Jewish Scribes and Pharisees who posed this request to Him: “Master, we should like to see a sign from you” (Mt. 12:28). Jesus answered that factually: “It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the sea-monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights” (Mt. 12:34). That is how Jesus predicted about signs accompanying those who believed in Him. “These are the signs that will be associated with believers: in my name they will cast out devils; they will have the gift of tongues; they will pick up snakes in their hands, and be unharmed should they drink deadly poison; they will lay their hands on the sick, who will recover” (Mk. 16:17).

That is why, for the numberless saints that have been canonized by the Catholic Church, previous to that are required about 2 or 3 first class miracles or signs that prove divine intervention as approved for their saintly lives, even though in most cases these holy people lived their lives in humility and simplicity, without care for any human publicity. In the case of Our Lord Jesus, the happening or event of the Resurrection is clear evidence of His divine nature. That was the clear factual response to the final question of the Sanhedrin: ‘In the name of the living God, I command you to tell us: Are you the Christ, the Son of God?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is just as you say. I tell you more: from now on, you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Most Powerful God and coming on the clouds of heaven’(Mt.26:63-64). The fact of history is that after His crucifixion and death Jesus rose from the dead.