If Jesus rose from the dead, then his claims about himself and his promises to humanity warrant serious attention and response.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ stands as the cornerstone of Christian faith, an event so pivotal that the apostle Paul declared, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile" (1 Cor. 15:17). In other words, Christianity stakes its entire body of truth on one verifiable event from history. It's the only world religion that is falsifiable.
This article will provide the basis for the credibility of the resurrection by assessing the historical reliability of the New Testament, the empty tomb, the post-resurrection appearances, and the transformation of the disciples.
Skeptics have long challenged this claim, suggesting alternative explanations or dismissing it as myth. However, when examined through historical, logical, and evidential lenses, the resurrection emerges as an event supported beyond a reasonable doubt. This article will provide the basis for the credibility of the resurrection by assessing the historical reliability of the New Testament, the empty tomb, the post-resurrection appearances, and the transformation of the disciples.
The Historical Reliability of the New Testament
A fundamental question in assessing the resurrection is whether the sources reporting it are reliable. The New Testament serves as the primary documentation of Jesus' resurrection. Since followers of Jesus wrote these sources, many dismiss them outright due to bias. If we define "biased" as holding strong convictions, then yes, they were biased. But we mustn't conflate bias with falsehood. The authors of the four gospels don't argue for Jesus' existence—they assume it. However, they do want their readers to know that their accounts are reliable. John states as much in John 21:24: "This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true."
Some of the most detailed and documented accounts of the Nazi Holocaust have been written by Jews who experienced the horror first-hand. Does this fact render their accounts unreliable? On the contrary, those who are most passionate about telling their story are often the most meticulous about getting it right because they know it’s likely going to be scrutinized. To claim the Gospels cannot be historical because they're written by Christians is absurd. The important question is not whether the gospel writers were biased but whether or not they reported the truth.
Scholars across the spectrum, including skeptics, acknowledge that many of these writings date to within a few decades of Jesus’ death. The proximity of these texts to the event they describe strengthens their credibility, reducing the likelihood of legendary development.
Furthermore, the New Testament documents align with external historical sources. Roman historians such as Tacitus and Jewish sources like Josephus confirm that Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate. [1] These external attestations corroborate the fundamental claims of the Gospels, lending credibility to their accounts of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.
The Empty Tomb
One of the most compelling pieces of evidence for the resurrection is the discovery of Jesus' empty tomb. All four Gospels report that women found the tomb empty on the third day after Jesus' crucifixion. This detail is significant because women were not considered reliable witnesses in first-century Jewish culture. If the empty tomb were a fabricated story, it is unlikely that women would have been chosen as the primary witnesses. The inclusion of this detail suggests authenticity rather than fabrication.
Additionally, if Jesus' body had remained in the tomb, Jewish or Roman authorities could have easily quelled the burgeoning Christian movement by producing the body. Instead, no record exists of anyone refuting the empty tomb by presenting Jesus' corpse. This silence speaks volumes and aligns with the argument that the tomb was indeed empty.
Post-Resurrection Appearances
The New Testament records multiple appearances of the risen Jesus to various individuals and groups, including the apostles, over a period of forty days (1 Cor. 15:3-8). Paul's list of resurrection witnesses includes over 500 people at once, most of whom were still alive at the time of his writing. This claim is significant because it allowed contemporaneous individuals to verify or refute Paul's statement.
Alternative explanations, such as hallucinations, fail to account for the diversity and number of witnesses. Hallucinations are typically individual experiences not shared by large groups at different times and locations. The consistency and variety of Jesus' appearances, including his interactions with Thomas (John 20:24-29) and his meal with the disciples (Luke 24:41-43), further reinforces the claim that these were genuine physical encounters rather than mere visions.
The Transformation of the Disciples
Perhaps the most persuasive evidence for the resurrection is the radical transformation of Jesus' followers. Before the resurrection, the disciples were fearful and in hiding (John 20:19). After encountering the risen Christ, they became bold proclaimers of the gospel, willing to suffer persecution and even death for their testimony. Moreover, skeptics like Saul of Tarsus and James (the half-brother of our Lord) became ardent defenders of the resurrection after personally encountering the risen Christ.
People may die in ignorance, but none willingly lay down their life for what they know to be a lie.
History records that most of the apostles faced martyrdom for their unwavering belief in Jesus' resurrection. These men had nothing to gain from lying about the resurrection—no wealth, power, or social prestige awaited them—quite the opposite. People may die in ignorance, but none willingly lay down their life for what they know to be a lie. Their willingness to suffer and die suggests they truly believed they had witnessed Jesus alive after his crucifixion.
Counterarguments and Rebuttals
Some skeptics argue that the resurrection is a legend developed over time. However, Paul's letters, written within 20-30 years of Jesus' death, already contain fully developed resurrection theology. Most New Testament scholars believe the creedal form of 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 dates to within five years of Christ's death, given that Paul spent time with Peter and some of the apostles. [2] This short time frame does not allow for mythological embellishment.
Others propose the "stolen body" theory, suggesting that the disciples stole Jesus' body to fabricate a resurrection narrative. However, this theory fails to explain why the disciples would endure torture and death for a lie. Additionally, professional guards were stationed at the tomb (Matt. 27:62-66), making theft improbable.
The “swoon theory” posits that Jesus did not truly die but merely appeared to be dead and later revived in the tomb. Roman execution methodology and contemporary medical evidence have long refuted this. The swoon theory also fails to note that his Roman executioners were military professionals who took their jobs quite seriously because they had to. Their lives were on the line if they failed to complete their task.
Conclusion
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is supported by substantial historical and evidential arguments. The reliability of the New Testament documents, the empty tomb, the post-resurrection appearances, and the radical transformation of the disciples collectively establish a compelling case that Jesus truly rose from the dead.
The resurrection is not merely a theological assertion but a historical reality that stands beyond a reasonable doubt. Those who seek truth must wrestle with this evidence and consider the profound implications of a risen Christ. If Jesus rose from the dead, then his claims about himself and his promises to humanity warrant serious attention and response, one that leads those who trust the evidence to have found the most profound hope for life beyond the grave.
For Further Reading:
The Resurrection Fact: Responding to Modern Critics (Edited by John J. Bombaro and Adam S. Francisco)Faith Founded on Fact: Essays in Evidential Apologetics by John Warwick Montgomery
