Christian scholar claims Jesus didn't die on the cross

And then urges us all not to get "emotional" about the "evidence"

Jesus did not die on cross, says scholar

"Jesus may not have died nailed to the cross because there is no evidence that the Romans crucified prisoners two thousand years ago, a scholar has claimed. The legend of his execution is based on the traditions of the Christian church and artistic illustrations rather than antique texts, according to theologian Gunnar Samuelsson. He claims the Bible has been misinterpreted as there are no explicit references the use of nails or to crucifixion - only that Jesus bore a "staurus" towards Calvary which is not necessarily a cross but can also mean a "pole". Mr Samuelsson, a committed Christian himself, admitted his claims are so close to the heart of his faith that it is easy to react emotionally instead of logically."

Wel, the bible says "And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced." (Zechariah 12:10). Psalm 22:16 describes it "For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. " And Isaiah 53:5 describes it again: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."

John 19:6 refers to the angry mob outside Pilate's house "As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."

Mark 15:20 ... Then they led him out to crucify him. .... ... And they led him out to crucify him. ...Luke 23:33 "And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left."

The method of execution defined as "Crucifixion is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross (of various shapes) and left to hang until dead. The term comes from the Latin crucifixio ("fixed to a cross", from the prefix cruci-, "cross", + verb figere, "fix or bind fast".) Crucifixion was in use particularly among the Persians, Seleucids, Carthaginians, and Romans from about the 6th century BC to the 4th century AD." Wikipedia

Why man needs to search outside of the bible for "proof" when all the proof one needs as to its own veracity is beyond me. Why a 'scholar' who claims Christ would deny His manner of death though it is clear in the bible is beyond me to understand. Except, that the bible proves itself again, where Luke said "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved."

That scholar is "always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith;" (2 Tim 3:7-8). The folly of those who search for proof of the bible outside of the bible and when they fail to find it, are at risk of the devil taking the word out of their hearts. I feel sorry for Mr Samuelsson. He is missing out on the perfect peace that passes all understanding. Always searching for something that he will never find is extremely exhausting, when, all along, he could have peace in the TRUTH.