Viewed from the safe perspective of history, many events seem inevitable.  Consider, for example, such epochs as the fall of the Roman Empire, the Norman Conquest, and the American Revolution—might these history-defining moments have turned out differently?  Undoubtedly.  What if Rome had repented of its profligacy?  What if, instead of King Harold, it had been William of Normandy who was killed during the decisive Battle of Hastings?  What if the aristocracy of Virginia had remained loyal to the English Crown rather than rising to lead a rebellion in 1776?  History would be very different.  But these stories are so well known to us that it is hard to imagine them otherwise.

Recently, I have had reason to reflect upon on the Resurrection—the claim that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was murdered and bodily resurrected in real space/time history.  This is the keystone upon which every other Christian doctrine rests.  As the Apostle Paul observed long ago, " .... if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins." (I Corinthians 15:17)  I think that Christians would do well to consider God’s other options after mankind decided to commit spiritual suicide.  What if, for example, He had simply decided to reboot after the Fall?  What if “the Word becoming flesh” simply meant God coming down to shout the rules a little louder rather than taking our sins upon Himself?  And what if God was a merely a just God, but not a merciful One?  One thing is certain.  We would all get exactly what we deserve.

Thankfully, that is not how the story goes: “If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Amen to that.