Did the Resurrection Happen . . . Really?

1. The Resurrection: Cornerstone of Christianity

"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."

Central to Christian faith. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not a peripheral doctrine but the very foundation of Christianity. It validates Jesus' claims about His divine nature and mission, and provides hope for believers in their own future resurrection.

Historical investigation. The book presents a narrative of college students and professors examining the historical evidence for the resurrection. Through their discussions and research, they explore various arguments for and against this pivotal event, demonstrating that belief in the resurrection is not based on blind faith but on historical investigation and rational inquiry.

2. Historical Evidence for Jesus' Death and Burial

"We know more about the burial of the Lord than we know of any single character in all of ancient history."

Crucifixion confirmed. Medical and historical evidence strongly support the fact that Jesus died by crucifixion. The Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that Jesus had died before the spear was thrust into His side, based on the gospel accounts.

Burial details. The gospels provide specific details about Jesus' burial:

• Buried in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin
• Wrapped in linen cloths with spices, following Jewish burial customs
• Placed in a new rock-hewn tomb near the crucifixion site
• The tomb was sealed with a large stone

3. The Empty Tomb: A Verifiable Fact

"The empty tomb stands, a veritable rock, as an essential element in the evidence for the resurrection."

Widely acknowledged. Both supporters and opponents of early Christianity agreed that Jesus' tomb was empty. This fact was not disputed, even by those who opposed the Christian message.

Verifiable claim. The empty tomb was a publicly verifiable claim. Anyone in Jerusalem could have easily checked the tomb's location and status. The early Christian preaching in Jerusalem, which began just weeks after the crucifixion, would have been impossible if the body was still in the tomb.

4. Multiple Post-Resurrection Appearances

"Note that when the disciples of Jesus proclaimed the resurrection, they did so as eyewitnesses and they did so while people were still alive who had had contact with the events."

Diverse witnesses. The New Testament records multiple appearances of the risen Jesus to various individuals and groups:

• Mary Magdalene
• Other women
• Peter
• Two disciples on the road to Emmaus
• The eleven apostles (multiple times)
• James (Jesus' brother)
• Over 500 people at once
• Paul

Extended interactions. These appearances were not mere glimpses but involved extended interactions, conversations, and even shared meals. This variety of witnesses and experiences makes mass hallucination or delusion highly unlikely.

5. Transformation of the Disciples

"They had nothing to gain by lying and starting a new religion. They faced hardship, ridicule, hostility, and martyr's deaths."

From cowards to bold preachers. The disciples underwent a dramatic transformation after encountering the risen Jesus. They went from hiding in fear to boldly proclaiming the resurrection in the face of persecution and death.

Willingness to die. Many of the apostles were martyred for their faith. While people may die for a lie they believe to be true, it's highly improbable that all the disciples would die for something they knew to be false if they had fabricated the resurrection story.

6. Early Christian Creeds and Eyewitness Accounts

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve."

Early formulations. Scholars have identified early Christian creeds, such as 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, that predate the written New Testament. These creeds contain core beliefs about Jesus' death and resurrection, indicating that these beliefs were formulated and circulated within a few years of the events.

Eyewitness testimony. The New Testament documents, particularly the gospels and Acts, claim to be based on eyewitness accounts. The early date of these writings and the public nature of the claims made it possible for contemporaries to verify or refute the testimony.

7. Refuting Alternative Theories

"Dead men just don't come back to life!"

Addressing skepticism. The book explores and refutes several alternative explanations for the resurrection, including:

• The hallucination theory
• The wrong tomb theory
• The legend theory
• The conspiracy theory (disciples stole the body)
• Pagan myth influence

Historical and logical problems. Each of these theories faces significant historical and logical problems when examined closely. For example, the hallucination theory fails to account for the group appearances and the empty tomb, while the conspiracy theory doesn't explain the disciples' willingness to die for their claims.

8. The Significance of the Resurrection for Believers

"Jesus didn't just teach about it. He actually demonstrated it and proved His claims by literally rising from the dead."

Hope beyond death. The resurrection of Jesus provides hope for believers in their own future resurrection and eternal life. It assures them that death is not the end and that they will be reunited with loved ones who have died in Christ.

Validation of Jesus' claims. The resurrection validates Jesus' claims about His divine nature and His ability to forgive sins. It demonstrates God's acceptance of Jesus' sacrificial death as payment for sin and offers assurance of salvation to those who trust in Him.

Transformation of lives. Belief in the resurrection has the power to transform lives, giving purpose, meaning, and hope to believers. It motivates them to live for something beyond this temporal life and to share their faith with others.

Last updated: August 8, 2024