08 Jul '08 07:49>1 edit
Originally posted by whodeyThis would also support those that defend the 3 day death and ressurection is an astrological metaphor which predates Christianity.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/world/middleeast/06stone.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
Apparently a three foot tall tablet found in the Holy Land appears to pre-date Christ by a few decades. However, it talks about a messiah who will rise from the dead just after 3 days and then to bring redemption to Israel. As the article states,
"If such a me ...[text shortened]... death and ressurrection was not unique but part of a recognized Jewish tradition at the time."