LONGWOOD, FL-It took a rocket scientist to deduce that the traditional Christian view of Easter is not scriptural. Everett Purcell, whose background includes degrees in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, mathematics, and theology, penned True Story About the Sign of Jonah: Was the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on a Sunday? (paperback, 978-1-60266-249-0; hardcover, 978-1-60266-250-6) to discuss problems with the exegesis of some important biblical passages involving the resurrection and our subsequent celebration of this event.
In Matthew 12:40, Jesus prophesied, "The Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Purcell names the three whole days and proves that the resurrection occurred on the Sabbath. Among different Christian denominations there is a Friday view, a Thursday view, and a Wednesday view for the crucifixion of Christ. Only one of them is adequate, Purcell claims. Our understanding of what really happened to Jesus requires an understanding of the Hebrew calendar, which is derived from the book of Exodus. The Hebrew calendar establishes all the rules for naming the weeks and celebrating the festivals, etc. Jesus was crucified on the Preparation Day and entombed during Passover. The Easter festival as we know it was established much later with a Greek calendar.
Everett Purcell has taught at three universities and worked for three aerospace companies where he learned about computers, missiles, and education. When he retired from Aeronutronic Ford, he attended Talbot Theological Seminary to study biblical languages and theology.
Xulon Press, a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the world's largest Christian publisher, with more than 3,900 titles published to date. Retailers may order True Story About the Sign of Jonah through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. Salem Communications is the country's leading Christian communications company with interests in radio, Internet, and magazine publishing.
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2007