From the Revd David Bunney
Sir, - In his carefully argued view of the evidence of
resurrection (
Letters, 2 May), Dr Henk Carpentier Alting misses a very
important point. He statesthat "Thomas touched Jesus's wounds" as
the basis of his argument.
The account in John 20.2,7-8 does not corroborate this. Jesuswas
teasing Thomas to touch and thus prove, but he did not need to do
so. This was the moment at which Thomas realised the truth from
within.
In the Emmaus story, we read that Jesus disappeared when the two
men recognised him; for them, too, the moment of understanding
meant that Jesus's physical presence was no longer necessary. The
most vital element in accepting resurrection comes when we realise
its truth for ourselves.
DAVID BUNNEY
34 Shalbourne Close, Hungerford RG17 0QH