At the University of Chicago Divinity School each year they have what
is called "Baptist Day." On this day each one is to bring a lunch to be
eaten outdoors in a grassy picnic area. Every "Baptist Day" the school would
invite one of the greatest minds to lecture in the theological education center.
.
One year they invited Dr. Paul Tillich. Dr.Tillich spoke for two and
one-half hours proving that the resurrection of Jesus was false. He
quoted scholar after scholar and book after book. He concluded that since
there was no such thing as the historical resurrection the religious
tradition of the church was groundless, emotional mumbo-jumbo, because it was
based on a relationship with a risen Jesus, who, in fact never rose from the
dead in any literal sense. He then asked if there were any questions.
After about 30 seconds, an old, dark skinned preacher with a head of
short-cropped, woolly white hair stood up in the back of the auditorium.
"Docta Tillich, I got one question," he said as all eyes turned toward
him.
He reached into his sack lunch and pulled out an apple and began eating
it. "Docta Tillich.. CRUNCH, MUNCH "My question is a simple
question,... CRUNCH, MUNCH... "Now, I ain't never read them books you read..CRUNCH,
MUNCH.." and I can't recite the Scriptures in the original Greek...CRUNCH,
MUNCH ..." I don't know nothin' about Niebuhr and Heidegger...CRUNCH,
MUNCH...
He finished the apple. "All I wanna know is: This apple I just ate, . was it bitter or sweet?
Dr Tillich paused for a moment and answered in exemplary scholarly fashion: "I cannot possibly answer that question, for I haven't tasted your apple."
The white-haired preacher dropped the core of his apple into his crumpled paper bag, looked up at Dr. Tillich and said calmly, "Neither have you tasted my Jesus."
The 1,000 plus in attendance could not contain themselves. The auditorium erupted with applause and cheers.
Dr. Tillich thanked his audience and promptly left the platform.
Have you tasted Jesus?
Please pass this on Saints! Jesus has risen... and He's coming back one day...
"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge
in Him. If you have, rejoice in the hope of the resurrection that your
faith in Him brings." Psalm 34:8!
