Truth or Fiction: Does it even matter...?

Theologian Paul Tillich Upstaged by a Simple Preacher-Fiction!
TruthOrFiction.com

Summary of the eRumor:
The famous theologian and philosopher Paul Tillich was speaking at the University of Chicago on "Baptist Day." He spoke for more than two hours, challenging the resurrection of Jesus. At one point, a old African-American preacher stands up. He's munching on an apple and asks Dr. Tillich whether the apple is bitter of sweet. Tillich tells the man that he can't answer the question because he hasn't tasted the apple. The old preacher then says, "Neither have you tasted my Jesus."

The Truth:
A spokesperson at the Divinity School at the University of Chicago says there's no evidence that this exchange ever took place. Additionally, he says there is no record of the school ever having a "Baptist Day" in its annual schedule. Paul Tillich was on the faculty of the school from 1962 until his death in 1965.

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

TASTE MY JESUS

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. 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.

So, there you have it...
-- No such exchange ever took place.
And...
-- No such thing as "Baptist Day" ever existed.

Now...
The question would have to be...
-- Truth or Fiction: What difference does it make...?

As long as it "appears" to "support the faith"...
And lend "strength" to the "faithful"...
-- Is THAT... "Good enough"...
-- For Christ, Christians and... Christianity?

-PRev1-

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Congratulations
President Barrack Hussein Obama
-- God's Will Has Been Done --