“Surveys indicate that a majority of Australians believe in an actual resurrection of Jesus, and it is time to reconnect with God. Most people I talk with are open to spirituality. The problem lies with the institutional church. The message of Easter is not primarily a call to join the institutional church, but to respond to the person of Jesus and explore the forgiveness and new life that Jesus offers. However, religious leaders need to ensure that the church is free of all forms of abuse and theological uncertainty.
“I talk to numerous people on my weekly radio program who tell me they can’t connect with the church because of the hurt and rejection they have experienced. Some are not sure what gospel resurrection hope the church proclaims today.
“Don’t ‘crucify’ Jesus afresh this Easter. The death and resurrection of Jesus offers an opportunity to experience and share the love, joy and peace of God,” Dr Clifford said.
Reverend Dr Ross Clifford
President
Baptist Union of Australia
Catholic Church
“The celebration of Easter every year is a reminder to us that Our Lord’s suffering, death and resurrection gives hope to the world.
In the world today, violence seems to be on the increase and the possibility of peace seems ever more distant as the days go on.
Everywhere we turn, senseless violence is influencing the lives of poor and innocent people and one can be tempted to think that in the midst of all this there is no way for us to make a difference.
But at the same time, there is another message, another story and we see that exemplified in the lives of so many people who in the ordinary circumstances of their daily lives are peacemakers. People seeking reconciliation within their own family life, people seeking to make peace with others, people engaged in humanitarian works and charitable works.
Such actions make the world a better place and are what the Lord requires from those who honour him in his death and resurrection. These actions are true to the power of His love which was revealed so clearly at His death and so resplendently at the moment of His resurrection.
So while we wish everyone a very happy Easter and all its blessings, we must see it also as a call to us to belong to Christ, to renew our commitment to him and to work for peace in the world.”
Archbishop of Adelaide Philip Wilson
President
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference
Lutheran Church
An empty tomb on Easter morning does not prove that Jesus of Nazareth, crucified on Friday, rose on Sunday morning. A physical resurrection however, would demand an empty tomb.
History has never argued about the empty tomb. What has been postulated through the ages is that the body was stolen. Obviously a concern from the beginning as a guard was placed at the tomb in case someone got brave and took the body.
From a stolen body theory to a wrong tomb theory, there were those who suggested that it was another tomb, mistakenly visited, which was empty that caused the excitement for those who went early to the grave on Easter morning. Of course there was no satellite navigation facility at the time!
Perhaps Jesus only appeared to die or under a narcotic spell looked like he was dead.
Church
Easter 2008 - Messages From Australian Church Leaders
Over the centuries, as they have scattered over the face of the earth, Christians have developed different dates for the festival of Easter. This collection of Easter messages from Australian Church leaders is timed for March because Australians mostly follow the Western tradition, when there is a national public holiday. Other Australians, however, following the Eastern tradition, will not celebrate Easter in their Churches until the end of April.
Posted: Thursday, 20 March 2008, 23:33 (EST)
Copyright © 2008 Christian Today. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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