Jesus
Evidence for the Resurrection
Christianity stands or falls on one event. Here is the case that it happened.
The claim
Three days after Jesus was executed, His followers said His tomb was empty and that they had seen Him alive. Paul lists the witnesses, including more than 500 at one time.
The report is early
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul quotes a short summary of the faith that he received from others. Most scholars, skeptics included, date it to within a few years of the crucifixion. That's too soon for legend to grow.
- He died by crucifixion
- His followers believed they saw Him alive
- Paul, who hunted Christians, became one
- James, His doubting brother, became a leader
Facts nearly all scholars accept
Historian Gary Habermas surveyed over 2,000 scholarly works on the resurrection written since 1975. Nearly all of them, skeptics included, accept these facts. Most also accept that the tomb was found empty.
- They stole the bodyThen why die for a lie?
- They hallucinatedGroups, again and again, for weeks?
- Wrong tombThe authorities could have shown the right one.
- He didn't really dieRoman soldiers made sure (John 19:34).
Other explanations
Each alternative explains one fact and fails on the others.
- He roseExplains the empty tomb, the appearances, and why Paul and James changed.
The best explanation
One answer explains all of the facts at once.
The facts are best explained by what the first Christians said: Jesus rose from the dead.
He isn’t here, but is risen.