Evangelical Christians want access to more corpses … to hone their ‘raising the dead’ skills
That one kid in class that wouldn't read the book but would still talk about it? Yeah, that's most of my followers.
— Jesus Christ (@Jesus_M_Christ) March 15, 2014
TYLER Johnson runs a ministry called the Dead Raising Team in the US. He claims to have brought 11 people back to life. He says he even persuaded the authorities in his state to issue him with an official photocard which lets him through police lines at car accident sites. Johnson, according to this BBC report, appears in a new documentary film called Deadraisers, which follows enthusiasts as they trail round hospitals and mortuaries trying to bring people back to life.
I’ve devoted WAY too much time, energy, and column inches trying to understand those with no concept of the gap between the Jesus Christ they profess to revere and the one who (allegedly) preached the Gospel. After much time and many headaches, I’ve come to realize there’s no rationality and reason when it comes to Christianity and those who profess to be Christians. Sadly, those they pray for in the film remain firmly and unquestionably dead.
What I CAN do is have some fun (and there’s much to be had) at the expense of those who insist on taking their faith to truly absurd heights (or depths, depending on your perspective). F’rinstance…didja know there’s a shortage of corpses? Quite so, because Tyler Johnson’s and his merry band of…wait for it…Deadraisers need to practice. Evidently raising the dead isn’t like riding a bicycle; you lose your skills if you don’t use them.
If that’s the case, then these guys are REALLY out of practice….
You might expect that those with a penchant for raising the dead would be willing to provide documentation of their accomplishments. They do claim to have 11 resurrections under their collective belt. Alas, none will be forthcoming, as Johnson declines to provide proof of their accomplishments. Evidently, faith is a two-way street, and those who might be a bit skeptical lack the theological chops to fully grasp the significance of their triumphs. God knows…even if no one else does…and She’s not telling.
The truly fun part of this story is that not only is there a shortage of corpses upon which to practice their “art,” Johnson’s band of merry misfits aren’t the only one who believe the dead can be brought back to life.
The BBC’s Jolyon Jenkins then got to meet Alun and Donna Leppit, a British couple who are convinced that the dead can be raised through the power of prayer.
The evangelic loons were subject of a BBC 4 programme today called Out of the Ordinary: The Power of Prayer.
During the course of the broadcast, Donna lamented that there aren’t too many corpses in the UK that they can practice on.
The one that they did try to resurrect to was Donna’s brother, who died of a heart attack.
By the time they got to the mortuary, he had been dead for eight hours. They prayed over him for nearly an hour, and although at one stage they thought they saw him move, that was as good as it got.
You’d think the lack of success would discourage the Leppits, but au contraire, mon ami. Their confidence (and faith) is still fierce, though they’re handicapped by a lack of access to dead bodies upon which they might practice.
I’m not the one referring to these folks a “loons”…but if the shoe fits….
I get that folks endeavoring to raise the dead have a deep and abiding faith. I understand they believe their God gives them the power to do anything…if only their faith is strong enough. That said, I’m not sure where one would find examples examples of anyone but Jesus Christ raising the dead. Extreme behavior may be a way you believe proves your devotion and piety, but does it prove you to be a better Christian? Not hardly.
If the Deadraisers are able to do what they claim but can’t find human corpses to practice their art, wouldn’t the same thing work on dogs or cats? Or goldfish? Imagine being able to put a smile on little Junior’s face by bringing Fluffy back from the dead?
All you have to do is believe.
