The Resurrection of Jesus—The Evidence 1

As we approach Easter, it is appropriate to reflect on the resurrection of Jesus, the central event of not only the Christian faith but also of world history.

Today, Palm Sunday, Christians recall Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and prepare to remember the events of the week leading up to his crucifixion, death, burial, and bodily resurrection from the tomb.

In this brief series of posts, we will consider factual historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While we do not have a video of Jesus emerging from the tomb, the evidence shows the best explanation of the facts is that Jesus rose from the dead on Easter Sunday, the third day. We will also respond to theories that attempt to disprove the resurrection.

 

The Resurrection of Jesus was a Historical Event

The resurrection of Jesus was a physical event. He rose bodily. It was not an imagined or spiritual event, as many claim. It really happened on that first Easter morning at tomb near Jerusalem.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:

¹ Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. ² By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. ³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.

⁶ After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, ⁸ and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (1 Corinthians 15:1–9 ESV)

This is what I believe. This is the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ. If this is not true, Christianity is not true. Later in the same chapter, Paul writes:

¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. (1 Corinthians 15:17-19 ESV)

Denying the Resurrection of Jesus

We expect non-Christians to doubt and disbelieve the resurrection of Jesus. If we are going to share the gospel effectively with them, we need to provide evidence for the resurrection.

However, there are also those who profess to be Christians that deny that Jesus rose bodily from the tomb. Every Easter season, there are “Christian” scholars paraded before us by the media to share their alternative theories about the resurrection of Christ. In doing so, they deny Paul’s testimony and mock the sacrificial death of Jesus. These skeptics undermine the faith of true believers and lead some away from the true faith.

Among the most notable for their publications and media appearances are: New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman, religious historian Elaine Pagels, the late Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong, and prominent member of the Jesus Seminar, John Dominic Crossan who claims the Romans threw the body of Jesus on a trash heap to be eaten by dogs

I Have Faith; I Don’t Need Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus.

Several of us, all Lutherans, were sitting around a fire pit one evening at a resort near Tucson, Arizona. We were attending a company meeting and just finished dinner. I mentioned I was working on a master’s degree in Christian Apologetics.

Of course, the first question asked was “What are apologetics?” I explained it was about providing a defense for the Christian faith. I also shared that it was also about strengthening the faith of a believer.

That brought an immediate challenge. “I don’t need any evidence. I have faith and I know what I believe.”

This came from a well-educated, successful businessman and a faithful Christian. A lay leader in his church.

I then asked, “Do you know why you believe it, and can you explain to others why you believe it?”

Fortunately, my wife showed her wisdom by cutting off the dialogue and suggesting it was time to go the room because she was tired.

Thank God for wise spouses!

Why Even the Strongest Believers Need to Know the Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus

What’s wrong with my friend’s approach to his faith?

First, knowing what you believe is foundational. You can’t believe anything you don’t know. You learned what you believe from your parents, in Sunday school, in Confirmation class, etc. But, knowing why you believe it goes beyond this.

If you don’t know what you believe, you are relying on blind faith. Blind faith has no solid ground and can be weak. Blind faith may not be strong enough to withstand persecution. To learn more about the pitfalls of blind faith read at this post. 

Second, if someone made a persuasive case against the physical resurrection of Jesus, could it cause you to doubt?

This happened with the publication of the DaVinci Code and the release of the movie based on the book. It was a work of fiction, but the author, Dan Brown, claimed he based the book on genuine evidence. Those without the solid foundation of knowing why they believe in the resurrection of Jesus now questioned what they believed.

Third, consider this scenario. Your child returns from college and says he or she is no longer a Christian. You ask, why?

“Well, Mom & Dad, from my professors, I’ve learned that Christianity is built on myths. Especially the one about the resurrection.”

How do you respond if you don’t have evidence for your faith?

Positive Reasons to Know Evidence for the Resurrection

First, knowing the facts supporting the resurrection of Jesus enables us to be better witness for the Christianity. You can’t adequately share the gospel if you can’t explain why you believe it to be true.

Second, knowing the evidence supporting your faith strengthens your faith. The resurrection debunks the idea that faith is a blind leap in the dark. The resurrection is historically objective, verifiable, and based on evidence. This sets Christianity apart from other world religions.

12 Known Historical Facts for the Resurrection of Jesus

Philosopher William Lane Craig and theologian Gary Habermas identify historical data about the resurrection that even the most skeptical critics consider to be true, though some dispute #4.

In the next post, we will examine these facts.

1. Jesus died by crucifixion.
2. He was buried, probably in a private tomb.
3. Jesus’ death caused the disciples to despair and lose hope.
4. The tomb was empty.
5. Disciples had authentic experiences they believed to be literal appearances of the risen Christ.
6. Disciples transformed from doubters afraid to identify with Jesus to bold proclaimers of his death and resurrection.
7. This message was central to the preaching of the early church. The early gospel message centered on the death and resurrection of Jesus.
8. They proclaimed the gospel in Jerusalem, where Jesus died and was buried only a short time before.The church was born and grew because of this preaching.
9. Sunday became the primary day of worship.
10. James, the brother of Jesus and a skeptic, converted to faith when he saw the resurrected Jesus.
11. Paul, a persecutor of Christians, converted when he saw the resurrected Jesus.

Resources Consulted

Internet Resources

Five Strands of Evidence for Jesus Christ’s Resurrection

Reasonable Faith

History, Philosophy, and Christian Apologetics: Specializing in Resurrection-of-Jesus Research 

Books

Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, revised edition Wheaton, IL: 1994), by William Lane Craig

On Guard, (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2010), by William Lane Craig

The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel, 2004), by Gary Habermas and Michael Licona.