Raising the Dead

“There’s a sucker born every minute,” is a saying that is often attributed to P. T. Barnum, and while he did not deny being the author of the quotation, it has proven to be difficult to find that he really did say those words. The truthfulness of the statement could be debated: No one is actually born that way, but many grow into a state of gullibility.

Nowhere is this credulity more easily seen than in the realm of religion. People believe almost anything they hear from a charismatic con man. The Orlando area was treated to such an individual recently and, according to the Orlando Sentinel (9-26-13), “Thousands” flocked to hear “international evangelist,” Reinhard Bonnke, at the Amway Center (B1). He has come to the USA to bring a nationwide “Good News” crusade.

Bonnke has spent 35 years preaching in Africa, but now God wants him to preach to Americans. He told the audience—most of whom would fall into the gullibility category—that “he witnessed a man who had been dead for three days come to life, thus answering his prayer that God show him something he had never witnessed” (B1). Really? And where did this occur? Oh, that’s right. It was an ocean away on another continent. And how many witnesses were there? What many in the crowd may not know is that people have been claiming the dead were raised in Africa for decades. Why? The answer is that it is unverifiable.

Why not shed a little light on the concept of raising the dead—by seeing what occurred in the Bible? On one occasion Jesus was in Nain when a funeral procession came by. A mother had lost her only son, and he was being transported in an open coffin. Jesus told him to arise—and he did! Notice that the report of this event spread throughout the surrounding region, which is a natural response to a supernatural event. Jesus did not merely waltz into Nain to tell them about what He did on another continent. There had been a large crowd present when the event occurred, and word of what happened spread quickly (Luke 7:11-17).

While on His way to see the daughter of Jairus, she died, and those present knew of the death. When Jesus did arrive to see her, He said she was only sleeping, and everyone laughed at Him. Jesus told the little girl to arise, and her spirit returned to her. The parents were astonished, but Jesus instructed them to tell no one what had happened (Luke 8:49-56; Mark 4:22-43). How many “faith healers” tell people to be quiet about their alleged miracles?

Of course, many witnessed Lazarus’ return to life; many were present with Mary and Martha even after Lazarus had been entombed four days (John 11). The fact became so well known that many believed in Jesus (John 11:45), and the chief priests desired to kill both Jesus and Lazarus (John 12:9-11).

Jesus’ own resurrection was also widely attested. He was seen by several women, His disciples, and more than 500 at one time (1 Cor. 15:6). Furthermore, the twelve bore eyewitness testimony of the Lord’s resurrection, and the multitude believed them—not because they were gullible—but because they proved from the Scriptures that His resurrection was foretold (Acts 2:22-36).

All of these instances have something in common; each had several eyewitnesses of the event, which is the reason that people believed (John 20:30-31). By contrast, today people are eager to believe without any evidence except someone’s say-so. “Yeah, over in Africa, I saw a guy raised from the dead, and now God is sending me to other continents to tell them about this marvelous, unverifiable event.” Okay, that’s not exactly what he presented. According to the newspaper, he said that the same God who provided that miracle in Africa would transform America. Really? We can hardly wait. If he needs any suggestions, a list of Senators, Congressmen, and Supreme Court justices could be provided as a place to start.

“He will shake America. America will be saved. We are going to see that power tonight” (B1). At last report, the Amway Center was not so shaken that the Magic will not be able to play there this season. Such claims are used to fire up the crowd and generate enthusiasm. Also, the power of suggestion gets people to thinking some great things will occur. Does anybody ever realize a day, week, or month later that nothing has happened? Do they not know of all the hospitals there are in this area. Why doesn’t Bonnke go to one of them and heal all the patients? That would create such a stir that the newspaper would have headlines about it! Stories would follow for weeks! He does not do that because he cannot.

He has allegedly converted 72 million Africans to Christianity. That figure is larger than the population of most of Africa’s countries. Just where in Africa has he had the largest impact? Or has he been to all of the continent’s nations? Before preaching, he introduced a doctor from West Palm Beach who assured the crowd that he had witnessed people healed and raised from the dead (B3). Okay; so why is he still a doctor? With all the supernatural healing going on, why would anyone cling to outmoded, natural techniques?

Benny Hinn pulled up stakes in Orlando and moved to Dallas in 1999. How fortunate for Orlando that Bonnke decided to set up his “All Nations” organization here! Perhaps we’ll be able to see some “raised from the dead” now, since Hinn and his fake miracles are gone. True miracles only existed until the Bible was completely revealed (1 Cor. 13). If people would read it instead of listening to charlatans, they would be better off, but many choose to be gullible.