Michael Alter’s interview with Edouard Tahmizian of Internet Infidels, on the Resurrection of Jesus

Michael Alter, who has written three books on the Resurrection of Jesus, surely needs no introduction here. On December 27, he was interviewed by Edouard Tahmizian of Internet Infidels. A summary of the interview is given below. Enjoy!

0:00 Edouard Tahmizian’s introduction
3:41 Michael Alter’s initial remarks
10:50 Michael Alter discusses sources which present a counter-missionary point of view
20:40 Why is the Resurrection of Jesus so important to Christians?
29:35 Background information that’s useful to know when responding to Evangelical arguments for the Resurrection
35:20 What about the claim that the New Testament contains multiply attested material?
41:11 What are some examples of contradictions in the New Testament? (Also 32:00 to 35:15)
42:14 What’s your opinion about the centurion witnessing the death of Jesus?
45:20 How would you respond to Paul’s claim that over 500 people witnessed the risen Jesus?
54:17 Any last statements?
57:40 Thoughts on the COVID-19 pandemic

38 thoughts on “Michael Alter’s interview with Edouard Tahmizian of Internet Infidels, on the Resurrection of Jesus

  1. Well, I’ve tried to listen. I think interview is a bit of a misnomer. Eduard Tahmizian does most of the talking.

  2. Thank you Dr. Torley for posting this here! Yeah, this was another long one (the longest interview I’ve done, actually). My favorite part was around the 24-minute mark, where I start reciting 1 Cor. like Shakespear. Best times!

    Peace,

    Edouard Tahmizian

  3. Alan Fox,

    Hey Alan! Michael wanted me to give him a long introduction, but afterwards most of the talking consists of him making points about his works and discussing other topics.

  4. Edouard Tahmizian,

    It may be just me but I find it almost impossible to remain interested in a talking-heads scenario. The pace is either too quick or too slow, it’s either I miss the point or I’m muttering “get to the point”. This is just a general observation, not a criticism of this video in particular.

    I didn’t even get enough from my attempt to watch to be able to ask a sensible question.

  5. Hi everyone,

    I realize that a one-hour-interview may not be everyone’s cup of tea. That’s why I included a summary of the interview, so viewers can pick a topic (or topics) that interests them and listen to what Michael has to say on the subject.

    Hi Alan and Neil,

    Just out of interest: what would you suggest as a better alternative to a “talking-heads scenario”? Cheers.

  6. Hi V.J.
    What’s your take on the miraculous disappearance of SARS CoV-2 in Japan?
    There are currently 6 theories none of which make sense…
    Wouldn’t be more exciting to figure this out than listen to this 1 hour nonsense?

  7. J-Mac:
    Hi V.J.
    What’s your take on the miraculous disappearance of SARS CoV-2 in Japan?
    There are currently 6 theories none of which make sense…
    Wouldn’t be more exciting to figure this out than listen to this 1 hour nonsense?

    I have no idea what might make any theory not make sense to you. But from what I have read, several factors are involved.

    In August, Japan was reporting over 25,000 cases a day. This is down to about 200. I wouldn’t be surprised if some level of herd immunity was achieved over the summer.

    Second, mask wearing is nearly universal in Japan (it’s said to be a cultural thing). Masks offer limited protection to the wearer, but significant protection to others. It’s unlike the Japanese to be willing to die for the right to make other people sick. Americans, now, ARE willing to die for the “liberty” to infect even their own families.

    Third, there is no Japanese cultural opposition to vaccines, and the percentage of Japanese who have been vaccinated is very high.

    Fourth, the Japanese government responded to the omicron variation by locking down their borders, even preventing Japanese from returning home, much less permitting foreigners to enter.

    And finally, there are signs that case counts are again rising in Japan.

  8. Flint: I have no idea what might make any theory not make sense to you. But from what I have read, several factors are involved.

    In August, Japan was reporting over 25,000 cases a day. This is down to about 200. I wouldn’t be surprised if some level of herd immunity was achieved over the summer.

    Second, mask wearing is nearly universal in Japan (it’s said to be a cultural thing). Masks offer limited protection to the wearer, but significant protection to others. It’s unlike the Japanese to be willing to die for the right to make other people sick. Americans, now, ARE willing to die for the “liberty” to infect even their own families.

    Third, there is no Japanese cultural opposition to vaccines, and the percentage of Japanese who have been vaccinated is very high.

    Fourth, the Japanese government responded to the omicron variation by locking down their borders, even preventing Japanese from returning home, much less permitting foreigners to enter.

    And finally, there are signs that case counts are again rising in Japan.

    Some of my friends moved there because they stopped using the PCT test inappropriately …
    “What’s behind the rapid disappearance of the delta variant in Japan

    .https://www.japantimes.co.jp › 2021/11/18 › national › de…
    Nov 18, 2021 — Why did Japan’s fifth and biggest wave of the coronavirus … Some people may wonder if the self-extinction of the delta variant in Japan …

  9. vjtorley: Just out of interest: what would you suggest as a better alternative to a “talking-heads scenario”? Cheers.

    The visual medium is a great opportunity to convey information but if not needed, I find it distracting, Michael Alter yawning being a case in point. If what was said were transcribed, I suspect it could have been edited down considerably. I’m actually quite interested in a discussion over whether any elements of Christianity have a factual basis but I suspect there isn’t a venue where that could happen.

  10. Hi J-Mac and Flint,

    The delta variant of the coronavirus seems to have mutated itself to such an extent that it became but a shadow of its former self. On top of that, there’s evidence that Japan’s low mortality rate is at least partly genetic:

    “A genetic feature linked to white blood cells found in more than half of Japanese people may help the body fight back against COVID-19, activating immune cells that recognize seasonal cold viruses, according to a study by Japan’s Riken research institute.”

    Cases of COVID-19 infections are picking up again in Japan. Here are the latest nationwide stats for Japan (including all variants):

    December 31
    490 new cases. No deaths.

    December 30
    466 new cases and 4 new deaths.

    December 29
    362 new cases and 2 new deaths.

    December 28
    218 new cases. No deaths.

    Source:
    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/japan/

    Japan did indeed lock down very quickly after news about the omicron variant emerged. However, there have been outbreaks, notably at the American bases in Okinawa and Iwakuni (in Yamaguchi Prefecture), but also in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Things are expected to get bad around January 11.

    The good news is that omicron is a lot less virulent than previous variants.

    It is true to say that Japanese people wear masks in public: I’d estimate that about 98-99% do so on trains, for instance. However, Japanese culture (unlike that of America) is non-adversarial, and people who refuse to comply aren’t yelled at. If I see someone on the train who’s not wearing a mask, I just move to the next compartment. And although people are expected to wear masks at work, there are no vaccine mandates. Japan’s Constitution is big on civil liberties, so I don’t think they’d be legally enforceable.

    Having said all that, I should add that Japanese appear to live by the maxim, “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.” Very few people are volunteering for tests, and I suspect that quite a few carriers are in a state of denial about their symptoms – “Oh, it’s just a cold or an allergy.” Nothing makes me more nervous than hearing someone cough on the train. I instantly leave my seat and move away. Nevertheless, the nation is carrying on pretty much as normal. I just had dinner at a local Italian restaurant an hour ago. No-one wants another lockdown.

    Thought you might appreciate the update from Japan. How’s everything in your neck of the woods? Happy New Year, by the way.

  11. Hi Alan,

    I quite understand why you’d prefer to skim a transcript than listen to a one-hour interview. The trouble is that transcription takes time. I recently tried transcribing a 25-minute online debate, because the closed captions were absolutely shocking. It took me six hours. Time is money. I’m not sure whether Internet Infidels would be prepared to pay a transcriber, but I could ask them, if you like. Anyway, Happy New Year! Have a good one.

  12. vjtorley:
    Hi Alan,

    I quite understand why you’d prefer to skim a transcript than listen to a one-hour interview. The trouble is that transcription takes time. I recently tried transcribing a 25-minute online debate, because the closed captions were absolutely shocking. It took me six hours. Time is money.

    Indeed. And at my time of life and maybe human civilization at the end-times, time is really precious.

    I’m not sure whether Internet Infidels would be prepared to pay a transcriber, but I could ask them, if you like.

    Not sure that would help as the mannerisms and repetition in speech don’t often look good in text. But an edited précis might be a bit subjective and, again, a lot of work. If someone were to spot a particularly interesting point at issue in the exchange, that might trigger a discussion.

    Anyway, Happy New Year! Have a good one.

    Happy New Year to you to and to everyone. Better than this last one would be enough for me!

  13. vjtorley: The good news is that omicron is a lot less virulent than previous variants.

    That’s not good news if it’s able to spread faster and make up the difference in cases like that. And it seems like that is the case, at least from the strenuous efforts being made in my part of the world to get everyone boosted.

    This is not good news by any stretch, yet.

  14. vjtorley,
    Thanks V.J.

    This is pretty much what my friends have been saying…
    In Ontario, Canada, it is the opposite to what the omicron hospitalizations show:

    “4th COVID doses offered to Ontario long-term care residents, boosters required for staff, caregivers”

    https://globalnews.ca/news/8480902/ontario-long-term-care-residents-fourth-vaccine-dose-boosters/

    The booster mandate for health care workers is up next…

    Some of my colleagues, even the ones who have been pro-vaccine, are not happy about this, as it seems very hard to justify the boosters already after 3 months after the previous 2, when you see no patients with omicron in the ICUs, or pretty much anywhere in the many hospitals in GTA..

    Another issue is that omicron seems to infect the vaccinated more, especially the young and under 40 years old, as per CDC report 79% of the infections happened in fully vaccinated and 32% in boosted..

    I wonder if Geert Vanden Bossche was right that mass vaccination leads to immune escape mutations, and new variants, like the omicron?

    Best, J-mac

  15. J-Mac: I wonder if Geert Vanden Bossche was right that mass vaccination leads to immune escape mutations, and new variants, like the omicron?

    Just asking questions huh?

  16. well it should be pretty clear to any rational person that the jabs are not vaccines. The ridiculousness of someone scaring themselves so bad about a cold variant and pumping themselves with god knows what chemicals, especially when the are bocous amounts of effective alternative therapies available is utterly amazing.

    I am beginning to think that mass formation pyschosis could have merit. How is it that people can be so gullible?

    I bought Ivermectin online but that particular shop warned that they dont ship to………..Australia. can you believe that? so seems aussies are taking a page out of Bidens’ playbook and blocking the use of an effective medicine. Why?…to bolster they fake narrative that the jab is needed so badly because they are the only game in town.

    As I said before, this borders on the criminal. and all these pro jab politicians are gonna skate!

    If there is one thing I can blame Trump for but thank at the same time though is for accelerating the process of democrats demise. He scared the living shit out these loony goons and they are scrambling to hold on.

    This political year is gonna be a nail biter if I’ve ever seen one. Will Trump be able to put the stake in…in time. We will see.

  17. Steve: How is it that people can be so gullible?

    Heh. Ironic much?

    Steve: blocking the use of an effective medicine. Why?

    I missed the study showing that? Can you link?

  18. There is no evidence that ivermectin is effective against COVID.
    Go see you doctor, they can prescribe nirmatrelvir, or perhaps molnupiravir.

  19. Steve,

    Steve,

    Why do people who take ivermectin all also take monoclonal antibodies?

    Just to throw some extra money away they don’t want?

  20. OMagain: Heh. Ironic much?

    I missed the study showing that? Can you link?

    Wah, Omagian needs a study to show that australia and the U.S. are blocking the use of effective therapies? Whatsupwiththat?

  21. DNA_Jock:
    There is no evidence that ivermectin is effective against COVID.
    Go see you doctor, they can prescribe nirmatrelvir, or perhaps molnupiravir.

    Ha, I said I bought Ivermectin online. I did not say that I am relying solely on it as a prophylactic. Correct me if I’m wrong there. I take D3, zinc, wheatgrass (loads of good stuff in that) and now ivermectin (still waiting on my hydroC)

    There is plenty of information on what combinations work. Quercitin, Zinc, D3, C, B2, Ivermection, hydroxychloroquine. Monoclonal antibodies are a rich person’s go to therapy. Us little people have to be more resourceful.

    The goal is not a cure which is unattainable just as with a cold or the flu. A combination of these cheap ingredients work just as well if not better than the jab to prevent serious systems AND you get longer lasting immunity AND you dont have to take the risk of their adverse effects. Its two years now and no (apparent) COVID-19 on me (knock, knock).

    Any rational person would go for the cheaper alternative.

  22. by the way, there is in fact plenty of evidence I linked to in the past that says yeah ivermectin works. India and now Indonesia bought into it in a big way precisely because of the points I made above; a cheap and effective remedy in combination with other ingredients.

    the most recent update on India is that Biden had a meeting with Modi and agreed to tone down Uttar Pradesh’s success in using Ivermectin. But that didnt stop Guatemala from using Ivermectin as well.

    so all the poor countries have utilized Ivermectin but all the rich countries are mandating jabs. Yes, the poor countries are using jabs as well but IMHO its from the pressure of international organizations, not because they know its the better route to take.

  23. phoodoo:
    Steve,

    Steve,

    Why do people who take ivermectin all also take monoclonal antibodies?

    Just to throw some extra money away they don’t want?

    Beats me. As I just mentioned in a previous post monoclonal anti-bodies are a rich person’s go to therapy IMO. but it is not critical. the goverment has gotten good people all scared out of their wits about the possibility of dying from COVID. Irresponsible bordering on the criminal.

    but we know what is happening. any goverment that is demanding obedience to a mandate when it is not called for (in light of the knowledge we have that there are plenty of alternatives), does not have good intentions.

    Co\/id is the first shot (pardon the pun) in this war for control. now is the testing ground, gauging opposition, learning how to counter it, etc. there will invariably be a deadlier one arriving. this time they will yell a loud ‘I told you so” and “You should have listened to us before. See now what misery you have caused yourself because you didn’t listen to your well-meaning (nanny) government”

    This is not rocket science. They had no intention of rolling this out in this way. But they had no choice. they had to improvise, some rolled with it and some handled it disastrously, like Australia. Its mind boggling what has happened down under in the last year. totally nuts.

    Thanks to Trump we at least have a clear heads-up on what’s taking place. Will this head start be enough to outflank them, only time will tell. But I do think organized opposition in the States at least will be sustained. some other countries will not be so lucky.

  24. Steve: Its two years now and no (apparent) COVID-19 on me (knock, knock).

    Knock on a wooden Australian flag?

    Steve: Beats me. As I just mentioned in a previous post monoclonal anti-bodies are a rich person’s go to therapy IMO

    Yeah, beats you. Besides the monclonal antibodies, they presumably also drink water. Maybe its the water that cures them?

  25. phoodoo,

    So you are drinking the faux vaccine koolaid I see? DARPA begs to differ with all you poison pushers here that Ivermectin doesn’t work.

    It’ll be fun to watch all you try and refute DARPA…..oh, well…er…..DARPA is military. they are not biologists….evolutionists…scientists…..bla-bla-bla.

    The fake can fake for only so long.

  26. Steve,

    Vaccines are fake, but ivermectin is real. Governments are out to kill you, but Darpa is here to save you. You haven’t gotten covid yet, but Australia has one of the most strict policies anywhere to keep you from getting it.

    Horse dewormer good, vaccine bad-do you have polio? Or perhaps rabies?

  27. phoodoo:
    Steve,

    Vaccines are fake, but ivermectin is real.Governments are out to kill you, but Darpa is here to save you.You haven’t gotten covid yet, but Australia has one of the most strict policies anywhere to keep you from getting it.

    Horse dewormer good, vaccine bad-do you have polio?Or perhaps rabies?

    category error. u only need one shot of a rabies vaccine or a polio vaccine. The jabs needs continuous boosters. They are flu shots in drag.

    Oh, and as Dana White and numerous others have posted, Ivermectin creator won a f&^%ing Nobel because it help so many people, not horses. But you already know this shit. there has got to be a name for the syndrome you are experiencing, when you deny the most simple hard fact. Oh, I remember it now. Its called liberalism.

  28. phoodoo:
    Steve,

    https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/unvaccinated-glenn-beck-gets-covid-172601361.html

    Why is Glenn Beck spreading fake news Steve?He doesn’t have covid.Probably just a bad case of worms.

    Whothef*&k listens to Glen Beck? Joe Rogan and Dana White are unvaccinated and got cleared in a flash. So that’s my two to your one. Oh, and my niece and her husband got Co\/id in May on 2020 way before they (presumeably knowing their politics) got jabbed, and they didn’t take jack shit and got over it just fine like millions of others.

    So now the score is my 4 + millions to your one.

  29. Flint: Second, mask wearing is nearly universal in Japan (it’s said to be a cultural thing).

    Masks probably “went viral” first due to smog when Japan got motorised. I also remember the SARS epidemic in the beginning of this century. Masks have been common all over Far East Asia ever since.

  30. theunnoticable:
    Hey Dr. Torley, quick question: what’s the best way I could contact you?

    Try not being unnoticeable, perhaps. Welcome to TSZ. There is a private message system accessed via the menu. Click on messages.

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