Is Joseph Of Arimathea A Fiction Person/Construct?

1. The fact that Joseph entered the Praetorium isn’t proof he is fictional character.   He is depicted as a man of character was part of the reform movement headed by Yeshua & His disciples.  His entering the Praetorium is proof of his devotion & a practical outworking of the principle that man is made to govern & observe the Sabbath not vice versa.   
2. The same is true for the meme’s application of Numbers 19:11.   It’s almost as if the meme’s author thinks that Joseph was part of the majority of the Sanhedrin, whom the Gospels depict as hypocritical, at times bigoted, & frequently expert legalists. 

Joseph of Arimathea is depicted as fundamentally unlike his peers on the other side of the aisle.  As part of the reform movement in that era, the principle that man is made to govern & observe the Sabbath not vice versa. 

 

The fact that his actions might have been controversial by others in the reformist camp &/or their opponents doesn’t led itself to incredulity.  The recording of his actions, like the inclusion of women among the a day earlier. Yeshua was crucified the day after Passover on the Day of Preparation for the Sabbath — not the Day of Passover. 

1. It’s almost as if the author of this meme thinks Pilate really believed the accusations hurled against Yeshua by his accusers.   

In truth the Gospels are rather clear about Pilate’s skepticism about the truth of those accusations, which is why he put Yeshua’s crucifixion up to a semi-popular vote.   Pilate crucified Yeshua to placate the Sanhedrin & to gain political advantage over them.   There was no revolt among the Zealots & the people over his crucifixion.  It isn’t as if Yeshua was the focal point of a riot or act of war on the part of the Zealots.  Therefore, there was no practical use in leaving his corpse on display. 

1. Joseph was a respected member of the Council.  What makes the meme author think he voted to prosecute Yeshua? It ought to be plain that he was among a minority on the Council who disagreed with the majority led by Annas & Caiphas. Words like “all” are class quantifiers.   In this case the referent of “all” is Yeshua’s accusers not his accusers & any dissenters. 
2. The 2 criminals were guilty of the charges against them. Yeshua was not.  Why would Joseph seek to have their bodies removed & buried?   By way of contrast, Joseph was paracleting Yeshua’s family.
3. How exactly do you conclude that if Joseph cared for one person’s body & family, he was morally &/or legally obligated to care for the 2 criminals, especially in view of their eventual removal from public display if they were there as insurrectionists & were left there as a warning? 
4. Whether or not Arimathea is real or fictional town/village is irrelevant to whether or not himself was or is a real historical person.  Joseph of Arimathea is a title the Gospel authors use to identify him.  It’s literary device that calls attention to his “home office,” Mount Moriah & his heavenward outlook.  

One wonders why Village Atheists & Village Skeptics say &/or write the sort of material cited above.   Assertions like those cited don’t make them look nearly as clever as they believe themselves to be.    On the contrary, the truth of the matter is that they draw attention to what poor thinkers they really are.   

Steve Hays once wrote that many atheists come across as maladroit readers.   Generally speaking, I understand & agree with Steve’s assessment.  That said, I don’t think they are as maladroit readers as their statements would have us believe. Rather, they say these these things deliberately because, as Hebrews 5 reminds us, if people, particularly lettered people, have difficulty understanding what the Bible teaches, their intellect isn’t really their problem; rather their problem is that they have moral problems that run through the warning passages in the Book Of Hebrews.  

This Is the Way!  This Is Our Creed! O LORD, Hear our prayer(s)!