The set of reasons in favor of the resurrection of Christ can be summed up in its simplest form as the minimal facts approach. The approach’s most vital point is that most historians agree that all of these arguments should be treated as historical truths. In addition, it employs solely historical facts and is unaffected by religious doctrines. According to Habermas and Licona in the book The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, the minimal facts strategy “considers only those data that are so well attested historically that they are granted by practically every scholar, including the more sceptical ones.” The same textbook describes the minimal facts approach as consisting of five facts, which are as follows: Crucifixion was the method of death for Jesus, the disciples of Jesus thought that he rose from the dead and appeared to them, the church persecutor Paul unexpectedly converted, the sceptical brother of Jesus, James, also converted, and finally the tomb was found to be empty.
After Jesus was raised, Josephus wrote about both the crucifixion and Jesus’s appearance. According to him, Jesus “attracted both many Jews and many Gentiles.” They did not give up on him even after Pilate had sentenced him to death by crucifixion at the behest of the most powerful men in our society; he appeared to them alive on the third day, as the holy prophets had predicted these and tens of thousands of other amazing things about him. And the Christians who bear his name to this day are a living, breathing people group. The Babylonian Talmud, in addition to Josephus, describes Jesus’ crucifixion death.
Additionally, Jesus has been seen by his twelve disciples. The reality that Paul wrote regarding Jesus’ presentation to the church in Corinth years before the religious texts were written is essential to clarify the idea that the resurrection was a fairy tale designed and assumed through the period after Jesus’ death. This idea has been popularized by some people who believe that the resurrection of Jesus was a myth that developed over time after Jesus’ death. In addition to what is written in the Bible, Clement, Polycarp, and Irenaeus also wrote about how followers of Jesus reported seeing him after his resurrection. Seven ancient sources prove that the disciples were willing to suffer and die for their assertion that Jesus was raised from the dead.
Paul’s testimony is the third minimal fact that was presented. Paul was a Jew and persecuted Christians, but later in his life, he had a profound conversion experience and became a follower of Christ himself. The event of Paul’s conversion is documented in the Bible in the book of Acts. Paul was highly known among the Jews, and he would not have converted to Christianity, suffered persecution, or died for his claims if he did not genuinely think that Jesus had been raised from the dead.
Finally, the tomb was empty, making it the last minimal fact. People have tried to make the case that Jesus’ body was stolen or his tomb was located elsewhere. It would have been “impossible for Christianity to gain traction in Jerusalem if the body had not been exhumed,” according to Habermas and Licona. In addition to the evidence of Jesus’ enemies, there is also the testimony of women who saw the tomb empty. Because of this, it is doubtful that women or Jesus’ opponents would be able to attest to the fact that the tomb was empty.
Thus, the minimal facts that were applied to the resurrection of Jesus were primarily facts that significantly point to Jesus’ resurrection, as Habermas and Licona put it. This is the conclusion that can be drawn from the evidence. In addition, they provide what is known as “compelling proof supporting the resurrection of Jesus” as well as “facts that must be accounted for by any competing theory.”
Proof that Jesus was raised from the Dead
To prove something is to provide evidence or argument to support the truth or existence of a claim. Evidence suggests that Jesus has risen from the grave, even though it cannot be proven. It is even acknowledged by “New Testament scholars” that “the early disciples” believed that Jesus of Nazareth had risen from the grave. One must take into account that the lives of the disciples were profoundly altered by the appearance of Jesus to them, as well as their willingness to die for their faith and belief. The fact that Christianity spread so quickly despite the persecution of many other religions indicates that something significant is happening here.
If Christ had never risen, there would be no way to explain how the Christian religion began or evolved. If Christ has not risen and our preaching is hollow, then your faith is also empty,” argues Paul in 1 Corinthians. If the dead don’t rise, then we’ve been exposed as liars in God’s eyes because we’ve claimed that He raised Christ when, in reality, He didn’t. That would rule out Jesus’ resurrection if no one had risen from the dead. And if Christ has not risen, your faith is useless; you remain in your sins if you believe.
People who argue that “the more radical the idea, the more proof is required to warrant belief” are mistaken. As a starting point, how do you explain the known data? There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus has risen from the dead. Jesus’ appearances, according to Craig, “came as somewhat of a shock” to the disciples, a sceptic (James), an enemy (Paul), and five hundred comrades. Mary Magdalene, whom Jesus had mistaken for a gardener, also saw him and heard him say, “Mary!” She immediately recognized Him and responded with the words “Rabboni!” We wouldn’t have these eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ appearance and resurrection if he didn’t die. To me, that’s why the evidence of the empty tomb is so significant. If death is defeated, we can spend eternity in heaven worshiping God.
People will always have some level of scepticism. People who refuse to see or understand the facts, no matter how much of it they are shown, will not see or understand it. The fact that Jesus rose from the Dead will always be evidence rather than proof. If we were to base our belief in the resurrection on the evidence that the resurrection occurred, then that fact alone would strengthen any other apologetic arguments. Believing that Christ rose from the dead is the same as believing God did it. There is no difference between the two. It would put to rest not only the question of whether or not God exists but also the debate over whether or not God is personal or impersonal.
Importance of Dealing with the Question of “Legend”
It is of the utmost importance to realize that a legend concerning the resurrection would not have had sufficient time to be formed, spread, and accepted by many people in the short period after Christ’s death. In this instance, if the witness of the resurrection can be dated precisely following the crucifixion of Christ, then the argument that the resurrection is a legend may be refuted. In other words, the opinion that the resurrection is a legend can be overcome. Because the belief in the resurrection of Christ is fundamental to the Christian faith, the significance of this cannot be overstated.
It is essential to remember that Paul could not have been persuaded of the resurrection of Christ by the use of a myth, a story, or a fiction. He would be the one to do the initial review of the evidence. According to Habermas and Licona, “a fiction or pleasant story would not have convinced Paul that Jesus had risen from the dead.” This is something that the authors assert. In point of fact, given his antagonistic attitude and actions toward Christians, in addition to the fact that he pursued his own Jewish education, it is possible that he would have seen the gospel as a feeble attempt by Christians to copy Jewish fables. Paul was a highly educated guy, and as such, he would undoubtedly be aware of the distinctions between fact and mythology.
The acknowledgement of the creeds plays a significant part in determining the characteristics of the resurrected body. It is also vital for overcoming any objections that might be raised. The letters and other writings that Paul sent to the early church are almost certainly the most convincing evidence and explanation you can have. His employment of early creeds, followed by his testimony, is significant evidence suggesting that Christ was raised from the dead.
As was indicated earlier, the claim that the resurrection is a myth could be refuted if it were possible to date it directly after the crucifixion. This would prove that the resurrection occurred. Because of this, the creeds hold a great deal of significance. “Creeds were a well-liked technique of transmitting important information in a style conducive to easy memorization and long-term retention. They served as a means of education and the proclamation of faith and doctrine. Some of these creeds can be found in the New Testament and were written by Paul; the dates on these creeds predate even the gospels.
In conclusion, sceptics who argue that the resurrection of Jesus is merely a fable, myth, or some other type of story are wrong. There is historical evidence and other evidence that can refute their claims! The dates at which the gospels and the early creeds of Christianity were written tend to disprove the claims that legends are true. Sceptics in today’s society would have us believe that the claims of resurrection made by other religions nullify the resurrection of Jesus. However, when we examine these other religions’ accounts in greater detail, we find that the accounts themselves are uncertain, that they lack proof for the occasion, and that they refuse to explain the documented historical data regarding Jesus’ resurrection.
Bibliography
Craig, William Lane. On guard, Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2010. Web.
Habermas, Gary and Michael Licona. The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus, 384. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2006.
Habermas, Gary R., and Michael R. Licona. The case for the resurrection of Jesus. Kregel Publications, 2004.
Lataster, Raphael. “The Case for Christian Theism.” The Case Against Theism. Springer, Cham, 2018. 217-261.