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Then and now are different.
Then (not a complete list):
1. Prophecy - that Jesus was (had a strong claim to being) the heir to the throne of King David, King of Israel - this was the predicted lineage of the Messiah (sent by God).
2. The miracles- especially raising of the dead. This implied supernatural power.
3. The endorsement of John the Baptist - regarded as the holiest man alive.
4. The charisma, personal authority, intelligence and learning of Jesus himself.
5. His resurrection.
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Now (again not a complete list):
1. Personal revelation/ being born again - an intuitive conviction.
2. Tradition, historical evidence (including historical evidence of the above five listed factors)
3. The (only) complex, complete and coherent theology/ philosophy.
4. The societal fruits of Christianity, the socio-political consequences of the faith; or, negatively, what has happened when Christianity has been abandoned - the fruits of apostasy.
5. The psychological fruits of Christianity - the personal consequences of the 'experiment' of Christian belief and living (or, negatively, the personal results of abandoning faith, Christian morals etc).
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So the situation, the evidence, then versus now differs almost completely.
But the basic human condition remains: Christianity is a choice.
There is substantial evidence in favour, but the positive evidence all has deficiencies and limitations, and can always all be subjected to critique and questions; and there is also evidence against - therefore, as always, the situation is not conclusive or compelling in either direction.
Then and now, a choice must be made, a commitment is required.
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