By Shane Kastler
The "Socratic Method" (attributed to Socrates) involves learning, teaching, and arguing by asking questions. This is one effective way of helping people think through issues and recognize flaws in their logic and belief system. Listed below are 30 questions used to challenge a hypothetical Jewish Sadducee on how he could accept the Torah and yet reject the idea of the resurrection. Beginning with the Apostle Paul's question before Herod Agrippa in Acts 26:8, thirty additional questions are presented to the Sadducee to reconsider his position. This merely provides one example of how asking simple questions can lead to accurate answers. (Note: To hear an audio message on this topic, click here).
The initial question, asked by the Apostle Paul: “Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead? Acts 26:8
30 Questions for a Sadducee, Based on Paul's Question:
Logical Questions about the Resurrection:
1. Would a naturalist believe in the resurrection? No.
2. Why not? Resurrections are “supernatural.”
3. Would a Jew believe in the resurrection? Pharisees, yes. Sadducees, no.
4. Are Sadducees naturalists? Not entirely. They accept the Torah.
5. Why do Sadducees not believe the resurrection? It's not in the Torah.
6. What is resurrection? Bringing back to life, one who was dead.
7. Can MAN do this? (No)
8. Can GOD do this? (Yes)
9. Then, why would that be amazing? (Rhetorical question to provoke thought).
10. Who was the first man? Adam.
11. Who created Adam? God.
12. How was he created? Dust of the earth.
13. Where did the dust come from? Ex Nihlio (out of nothing)
14. Does dirt possess living, breathing, human properties? No.
15. How did DIRT....form into man..... and become alive? (God breathed into him the breath of life)
16. Then isn't it true that the first man was FORMED out of Non-Living substance, and BROUGHT to LIFE? (Yes)
17. If God could CREATE life ex nihlio, then why could He not RE-CREATE life after it was lost?
Torah Argument for God's Ability to Resurrect:
18. Do you believe the Torah to be Divine and true? (Yes)
19. Does the Torah contain the creation account? (Yes)
20. Then.... do you believe the creation account to be true? (Yes)
21. If God CREATED life in the beginning, couldn't he Re-Create it after death?In Theory:Yes. Theologically: No.
22. Why not? Because no example is given in Torah. (Argument from silence)
23. Could things be true in life that the Bible doesn't address specifically? Yes.
24. What is the most important building on earth (to a 1st cent. Jew)? The Temple.
25. Does the Torah give instructions for the building of the Temple? No.
26. Where are the instructions for the Temple found? 1 Kings 7.
27. Is 1 Kings 7 a part of the Torah? No.
28. Earlier you stated that you couldn't accept the resurrection because it was not in the Torah, How then can you accept the Temple as being legitimately sanctioned by God when it is not in the Torah either?
29. NOW, would you say there are “Divine things” mentioned outside the Torah?
30. Then couldn't the resurrection be one of those things?
If the answer is YES. THEN, you also admit the possibility of the resurrection.
If the answer is NO. THEN, you must relinquish your adoration for the Temple as being sanctioned by God.
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