Apologetics-Week 4- The resurrection of Jesus
Understanding alarm and prayer
Recap: Now we know we can trust the Bible, what does it say?
Background- the importance of the resurrection (the sign of Jonah)
Matthew 12:38-40
Matthew 5:14-16
Quotes from Anthony Flew and ___________
“The evidence for the resurrection is far better than for claimed miracles in any other religion. It’s outstandingly different in quality and quantity”
Now there are three facts about the resurrection that are held by the vast majority of bible historians.
1. Jesus was crucified and placed in a tomb
2. Jesus tomb was discovered empty three days after his crucifixion
3. The disciples, non –believers and enemies experienced post mortem appearances (resurrection appearances) of Jesus, individually and in groups at one time Jesus was seen by over 500 people. (1 Corinthians 15:6)
People saw Jesus after he’d been buried.
Now we must decide whether the resurrection is the best explanation
What alternate explanations are available?
1. The disciples stole the body
2. Jesus wasn’t dead
3. Wrong tomb
4. The Pharisees and teachers of the law forgot where the body was and so couldn't counter Christianities claim that Jesus was raised. (As an excuse for why the body was not readily available to point out that Christ was not raised.
Explanations for resurrection appearances
1. The disciples experienced visions or hallucinations
The disciples stole the body- problems
1. It would be stupid to say that the women found the empty tomb. At the time women were not classed as proper witnesses. If the disciples stole the body and made up a story it would certainly not involve women as witnesses.
2. All but one of the disciples were martyred (killed for there faith) No one would die for what they knew to be a lie and yet the apostles died for their beliefs.
3. After Jesus was crucified they would not view him as the messiah, they would probably go off and live their lives, but surprisingly they believed Jesus to be the messiah, if he was not raised then they had every reason to abandon belief that Jesus was the son of God.
4. Its totally against the character of the disciples, these people were fisherman and tax collectors not intelligent conspirators.
5. According to Matthew there was a guard in front of the tomb
6. It does not account for Jesus appearance to the 500 brethren
Jesus wasn’t dead- problems
1. The Romans were professional executioners, Jesus was flogged before being crucified and many died from just flogging, to be crucified on top of this and then take a spear thrust to the side it seems impossible that he could have survived.
2. Even if Jesus did survive he would not be able to recover from such horrific injuries in three days.
3. If he was only just alive he would not have been able to move the massive stone in front of the tomb.
4. If he came out of the tomb in desperate need of medical attention, the disciples, instead of worshipping him would have realised he wasn’t the Christ.
Wrong tomb hypothesis
1. It doesn’t explain the resurrection appearances.
2. Merely going to the wrong tomb would not suggest to the disciples that Jesus had risen, rather they would think someone had stolen the body.
3. The disciples would have gone to check, after all, the women were not proper witnesses in a first century court of law.
4. If they had believed it opponents of early Christianity would check the tomb and upon finding it closed would have shown the disciples belief to be false.
The Pharisees and teachers of the law forgot where the body was so they could not show that Jesus wasn't risen.
1. It does not explain the resurrection appearances or the origin of the disciples belief in the resurrection
2. It seems highly unlikely that such a prominant personality as that of Jesus and his tomb's whereabouts would be forgotten. Indeed, Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea a member of the council. (Luke 23:50-56)
3. According to Matthew a gaurd was placed in front of the tomb. Even if the pharisees forgot where Jesus tomb was, all they need do is consult the gaurd.
Explanations of the resurrection appearances
Hallucination hypothesis
1. It does not explain the empty tomb.
2. It is almost psychologically impossible for more than one person to have the same hallucination let alone a group of 500.
3. Saul also experienced an appearance of Jesus at the time he was persecuting the church and it seems highly unlikely that he would change his mind if he experienced a hallucination. The probability of Paul hallucinating in the first place seems slim.
4. Visions and hallucinations of a dead person is not evidence of their being alive. Why conclude on the basis of hallucination that Jesus was risen from the dead?
5. Jesus appeared many, many times in various places to various people hallucinations of such quantity are so unlikely in themselves that the hypothesis fails.
Arguments and faith in relationship- ‘Some sort of slogan running throughout the series making clear that relationship with God cannot be achieved by arguments’. Prayer, worship and fellowship are the most important parts of our Christian lives’.
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