Slide 1
The Resurrection of Christ
Copyright Norman Geisler 2010
Slide 2
Importance of the Resurrection
IT IS AT THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL
(1 COR. 15:1-3)
IT IS A CONDITION OF SALVATION
(ROM. 10:9-10)
THERE IS NO HOPE WITHOUT IT
(1 COR. 15:12-19)
Slide 3
Importance of the Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:14-19
If Christ has not been raised, [1] our
preaching is useless and [2] so is your
faith. More than that, [3] we are then
found to be false witnesses about
God, for we have testified about God
that he raised Christ from the dead.
And if Christ has not been raised, [4]
your faith is futile; [5] you are still in
your sins. Then [6] those also who
have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If
only for this life we have hope in
Christ, [7] we are to be pitied more
than all men.
Slide 4
Test for an Orthodox View
Do you believe in…
The empty tomb?
The resurrection?
In a physical resurrection?
In the bodily appearances
of the resurrected Jesus?
Slide 5
Congratulations!
You just
hired a
Jehovah’s
Witness!
Slide 6
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ View
The fleshly body is…not the body of his glorification, nor
the body in which he was resurrected.
So the King Christ Jesus was put to death in the flesh
and was resurrected an invisible spirit creature.
Therefore, the bodies…after his resurrection were not
the body in which he was nailed to the tree. They
were merely materialized for the occasion,
resembling on one or two occasions the body in
which he died.
He (Christ) instantly created and assumed such a body of
flesh and such clothing as he saw fit for the purpose
intended.
Slide 7
Test for an Orthodox View
Necessary Questions:
 Do you believe Jesus rose...
in the numerically same
body?
in an essentially physical
body?
in a continuously physical
body?
Slide 8
THREE VIEWS OF THE
RESURRECTION
Slide 9
Three Views of the Resurrection
Orthodox View
Liberal View
Neo-Orthodox View
Slide 10
The Empty Tomb: Three Views
ORTHODOX
Explanation
for the
absence of
Jesus’ body
God raised it
LIBERAL
Someone
took it
Resuscitation Relocation
Resurrection Removal
Physical
Explanation
for the postResurrection On earth
appearances
of Jesus
Historical
(out-there)
NEOORTHODOX
God destroyed
it (transformed)
Annihilation
Destruction
Psychological Apocalyptical
(vision or
theophany)
In mind
In heaven
Personal
(in-here)
Super-historical
(up-there)
Slide 11
Rudolf Bultmann’s View
But what of the resurrection? Is it not a mythical event
pure and simple? Obviously it is not an event of past
history with a self-evident meaning? (p. 38)
Both the legend of the empty tomb and the appearances
insist on the physical reality of the risen body of the
Lord. But these are most certainly later embellishments. (p. 39)
An historical fact which involves a resurrection from
the dead is utterly inconceivable! (p. 39)
The real Easter faith…is nothing else than the rise of
faith in the risen Lord, since it was this faith which
led to the apostolic preaching, (p. 42)
(Bultmann, New Testament and Mythology)
Slide 12
Emil Brunner’s View
Emphasis upon the Empty Tomb led to the medieval
conception of the "resurrection of the body," which
has also been inserted into the Apostles' Creed.
Paul's teaching about a “spiritual body" is in
opposition to such a conception.
Resurrection of the body, yes: resurrection of the flesh,
no! The "Resurrection of the body" does not mean the
identity of the resurrection body with the material
body of flesh; but [it] means the continuity of the
individual personality on this side, and on that, of
death.
(Brunner, The Christian Doctrine of Creation
and Redemption: Dogmatics: (1952) 11:372))
Slide 13
Glenn Hinson’s View
Paul was convinced that the Christ who appeared to
him belonged to another order of existence than the
Christ the disciples had known in the flesh. The
risen Christ had not a physical but a spiritual body.
Flesh and blood, Paul contended, cannot inherit the
kingdom of God. The perishable physical nature has
to give way to the imperishable spiritual nature.
The appearances were more in the nature of theophanies, like the Old Testament theophanies of
Yahweh. This would explain why, on the Emmaus
road, for example, the disciples failed to recognize Jesus
until he did something familiar to them.
(Hinson, Jesus Christ, 111-112)
Slide 14
Wolfhart Pannenberg’s View
Because the life of the resurrected Lord involves the
reality of the new creation, the resurrected Lord is in
fact not perceptible as one object among others in this
world; therefore, he could only be experienced and
designated by an extraordinary mode of experience, the
vision, and only in metaphorical language.
The Easter appearances may have involved an extraordinary vision, not an event that was visible to everyone.
This to especially clear with regard to the Damascus
event
Paul must have seen a spiritual body, a soma pneumatikon
on the road to Damascus, not a person with an earthly
body.
Slide 15
George Ladd’s View
It was not a revivification of a dead corpse, returning to
physical life.... Obviously, Jesus had not revived.
Obviously, the body had not been stolen. It had simply
disappeared, (p. 94)
At his resurrection he entered into the invisible world of
God. His appearances to his disciples did not mean the
passing of one body through other solid substances; it
means that Jesus, who was with them but invisible, made
himself visible to their physical senses. (p. 127) The
appearances, then, were condescension of the risen,
exalted Lord by which he convinced his disciples that he
was no longer dead. (p. 101)
(Ladd, I Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus)
Slide 16
Murray Harris’ View
In his resurrected body...his essential state was one of
invisibility and therefore immateriality.... (Easter in
Durham, 17).
Another characteristic of Jesus' resurrection body was
the ability to materialize and therefore to be localized at
will. (Raised Immortal (RI), 54).
The Ascension vividly dramatized Christ's earlier
exaltation to God's right hand…a parable acted out for
the benefit of the disciples as a visual and historical
confirmation of a spiritual reality (RI, 92).
It is not ‘historical’ in the sense of being an incident that
was observed by witnesses or even an incident that could
have been observed by mortal gaze (Raised Immortal,
58).
Slide 17
Summary:
Orthodox vs. Non-Orthodox
ORTHODOX VIEW
Perishable
Mortal
Corruptible
Natural
Imperishable
Immortal
Incorruptible
NON-ORTHODOX VIEW
Material
Visible
Physical
Supernatural Corporeal
Immaterial
Invisible
Non-Physical
Incorporeal
Slide 18
EVIDENCE FOR THE
PHYSICAL NATURE OF
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION
Slide 19
Eyewitnesses of the Resurrection
The Order of the Twelve Appearances of Christ
Persons
Saw Heard
Touched Other
1.
Mary
(Jn. 20:10-18)
X
X
X
Empty tomb
2.
Mary & Woman
(Mt. 28:1-10)
X
X
X
Empty tomb
3.
Peter (1 Cor. 15:5) &
John (Jn, 20:1-10)
X
X
Empty tomb,
Grave clothes
4.
Two Disciples
(Lk. 24:13-35)
X
X
Ate with him
5.
Ten Apostles
(Lk, 24:36-49; Jn. 20:19-23)
X
X
X*
Saw wounds,
Ate food
6.
Eleven Apostles
(Jn. 20:24-31)
X
X
X*
Saw wounds
*0ffered himself to be touched
Slide 20
Eyewitnesses of the Resurrection
The Order of the Twelve Appearances of Christ
Persons
Saw Heard Touched Other
7.
Seven Apostles
(Jn. 21)
X
X
8.
All Apostles
(Mt. 28:16-20; Mk 16:14-18)
X
X
9.
500 Brethren
(1Cor, 15:6)
X
X*
X
X*
X
X
X
X
10. James
Ate food
(1Cor. 15:7)
11. All Apostles
(Acts 1:4-8)
12. Paul (Acts 9:1-9;
1Cor. 15:8)
*lmplied
Ate with Him
Slide 21
The Nature of the Resurrection
 The Empty Tomb -The same physical body
placed in the tomb permanently vacated it
alive three days later (Mt. 28:6).
 Jesus Said His Resurrection Body had "Flesh
and Bones'‘ - He was not a spirit but had real
"flesh and bones" (Lk. 24:39). He was raised
in "the flesh" (Acts 2:31).
 Jesus' Resurrection Body Had Physical
Wounds -Jesus revealed His crucifixion scars
to the disciples (Lk. 24:39) and challenged
Thomas to touch him (Jn. 20:27).
Slide 22
The Nature of the Resurrection
 Jesus Ate Physical Food Four Times after the
Resurrection -He offered it as proof He had a real
physical body (Lk. 24:30; 24:42-43; Jn. 21:12-13;
Acts 1:4).
 Jesus' Resurrection Body was Touched and
handled -Jesus was touched by Mary (Jn. 20:17),
and by the women (Mt. 28:9); He challenged the
disciples (Lk. 24:39) and Thomas to feel His
wounds (Jn. 20:27).
 The Resurrection Body of Christ could be Seen
and Heard -The body of Christ was seen after His
resurrection with the naked eye (Mt. 28:17) and
heard with natural ears (Jn. 20:15-16).
Slide 23
The Nature of the Resurrection
 Word "Body" (soma) Always Means Physical
Body in N.T. -There are no exceptions to this use
of the "body" of an individual in the N. T.
 Only Bodies Rise not Souls -The physical body of
Christ died (not his soul). Thus, it was this
material body that rose again from the dead (I
Cor. 15:3-4).
 The Body "Sown" is the Same Body that is Raised
-The same body "sown" in death is the one raised
in life (I Cor. 15:35-44).
Slide 24
The Nature of the Resurrection
 Resurrection is From Among (ek) the Dead -This
phrase means He was raised from the graveyard
(Luke 24:46) where physical corpses are buried
(cf. Acts 13:29-30).
 We Will Recognize Our Loved Ones in Heaven -
Paul comforts the believers with this anticipation
(I Thess. 4:13-18).
 The Resurrection Body is Physically
Recognizable -Jesus was recognized in His
resurrection body like any other physical body
(Mt. 28:7, 17; Mk. 16:7; Lk. 24:24).
 Called “Flesh” four Times (Lk. 24:39; Acts 2:31;
Slide 25
Therefore…
Jesus’ resurrection body was the
numerically same body because…
 CRUCIFIXION SCARS PROVE IT WAS THE SAME
BODY (Lk. 24:30).
 EMPTY TOMB SHOWS IT WAS THE SAME BODY
(Mt.28:6).
 JESUS SAID IT WAS THE SAME BODY (Jn. 2:21-22).
 THE FACT THAT IT DID NOT CORRUPT
INDICATES IT WAS THE SAME BODY (Acts 2:31).
Slide 26
Therefore…
Jesus’ resurrection body was the
numerically same body because…
 STRESS ON BURIAL REVEALS IT IS THE SAME
BODY (1 Cor. 15:3,4; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12).
 SEED ANALOGY SHOWS IT IS THE SAME BODY (1
Cor.15:35-44).
 FACT THAT IT IS "PUT ON" OVER BUT DOESN'T
REPLACE THE PRE-RESURRECTION BODY (1 Cor.
15:53).
Slide 27
Note…
1) CHANGE IN THE RESURRECTION BODY (1 Cor.
15:51) IS FROM A MORTAL TO AN IMMORTAL
BODY (42,53); IT IS NOT FROM A MATERIAL TO
AN IMMATERIAL BODY.
2) "CHANGE" IS CHANGE IN THE PHYSICAL BODY,
NOT CHANGE OF THE PHYSICAL BODY FOR A
NON-PHYSICAL BODY.
3) WE HAVE THE SAME BODY AS WHEN WE WERE
YOUNGER, YET THERE ARE CHANGES IN IT.
a. Changes are in secondary qualities, not
primary ones.
b. Changes are accidental not substantial.
Slide 28
OBJECTIONS AGAINST THE
PHYSICAL NATURE OF
CHRIST’S RESURRECTION
Slide 29
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
Resurrection Body Called a "Spiritual
Body" (1 Cor. 15:44)
Means Immortal, not Immaterial; Dominated
by Spirit but not devoid of matter.
"Spiritual" rock, water, food (1 Cor. 10) and man
(2:15) were all material.
Body (soma) always refers to the physical body
in N.T. when used of an individual human.
Slide 30
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
"Christ Appeared" (aorist passive) =
"Made Himself Visible" (cf Acts 10:40, Lk.
24:34, 1 Cor. 15:5).
He could be seen with the naked eye. The same
word is used before the Resurrection (Jn. 6:36;
14:9).
The same word is used of preresurrection bodies
(2 Cor. 25:21; Acts 7:26).
What appeared is natural; the way was
supernatural.
This confuses things out of sight with things
Slide 31
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
The Resurrection Is Called A "Vision" (Lk.
24:23; Acts 26:19)
It is never called a "vision" in the Gospels or
Epistles (Lk. 24:23 refers to a vision of angels, not of
Christ).
Visions (2 Cor. 12) are different from appearances
(Acts 9) (Spiritual vs. Physical; no physical
manifestations vs. physical manifestations).
It is called an appearance (1 Cor. 15:6) like that to
the other apostles.
Probably a reference to Ananias’ vision to tell Paul
what to do (Act 9:10). Even if it is not, it is called an
appearance in 1 Cor. 15:6, and so it would be used
interchangeably with it here.
Slide 32
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
He Only Appeared to Believers
He appeared to the most hostile unbeliever of
the day— Saul (Acts 9).
He appeared to his unbelieving brother, James
(1 Cor. 15:7; Jn. 7:5).
Selectivity doesn't prove invisibility (Mt. 13:58,
miracles).
Slide 33
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
He Rose Through Undisturbed Grave
Clothes (Jn. 20)
Nowhere does it say that He passed through the
grave clothes (even though He could have).
We know it is false—the napkin (headcloth) was
disturbed.
The Resurrection Differs from
Resuscitation.
Resurrection is more than, but not less than, a
resuscitation.
The resurrection body is immortal, not
immaterial (1 Cor. 15:42, 53).
Slide 34
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
He Walked Through Closed Doors (Jn.
20:19)
The text does not say how he got in (cf. Acts
12:10).
He could have done this before the Resurrection
too.
He (and Peter) walked on water before the
Resurrection (Jn. 6:16-20).
Physical bodies are mostly empty space (and
could pass through one another if miraculously
Slide 35
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
He Appeared and Disappeared
Immediately (Lk. 24:36)
Philip was suddenly taken away in a physical
body (Acts 8:39).
Miracles are by nature immediate (Mt. 8:3)
The resurrection body has more power, but it is
not less physical.
Slide 36
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
Physical Body Decays and Scatters
Losing particles doesn't mean we are not
physical.
Gaining new particles doesn't mean we are not
material.
Our body changes particles every seven years,
yet it is the same body.
Jesus' body didn't undergo corruption (Acts
2:31).
Slide 37
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
"God Will Destroy the Body" (1 Cor. 6:13)
This reference is to the process of death, not to
the nature of the Resurrection.
Death "destroyed" Jesus' stomach, yet he ate
four times.
We don't need legs and arms either.
Slide 38
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
"Flesh And Blood Cannot Enter the
Kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 15:50)
This is a Semitic phrase meaning "mortal" (cf.
Mt. 16:17).
The reference is to "corruptible" flesh and blood
(v. 50).
The resurrection body has incorruptible flesh
and bones (Lk. 24:39).
Slide 39
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
Jesus Appeared in a "Different Form."
A parallel passage in Lk. 24:13-32 says they were
"kept from recognizing him" (the miracles were
not in his body but in the disciple’s mind).
His body was not of a different physical form,
since he ate (Lk. 24:30).
Doctrine should not be based on an obscure or
doubtful passage (and this is both).
Slide 40
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
He Was Raised "in the Spirit" (1 Pet. 3:18)
Better translated "by the [Holy] Spirit" (NIV,
NKJV).
Another reference to a "resurrection" is in v. 21,
which is always a physical resurrection in N.T.
“In the Spirit" doesn't mean "no body" or “no
flesh“, for Scripture uses “in the Spirit” before
death also .
Slide 41
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
He is Called "Life-Giving Spirit" (1 Cor.
15:45)
This reference is not to the nature but to the
origin of the resurrection body (to its source not
its substance).
Otherwise, Adam (by contrast) had no soul (Gen.
2:7).
The "Life-giving spiritual being" had a "body"
(v. 44).
Slide 42
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
"It Does Not Yet Appear What We Shall
Be..." (1 Jn. 3:2)
This reference is not to the nature of the
resurrection body but to our status in heaven
We do know what our resurrection body will be
like, but it will be like Christ's (Phil. 3:21; 1 Cor.
15:20).
Slide 43
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
We Will Be "Like Angels" Who Are Spirits
(Mt. 22:30)
The reference here is not to the bodies of angels
but to sexless nature of angels (they don't
marry).
It means the deathless nature of angels as in
Luke 20:36.
Slide 44
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
We Will All Be Changed (1 Cor. 15:51)
True, but the change is from mortal to
immortal, not from material to immaterial.
The change is not in the primary qualities (e.g.,
number, extension), but only in the secondary
ones (e.g., time, place).
Slide 45
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
He was not recognized by His own
disciples.
“Their eyes were restrained" (Lk. 24.16).
They were perplexed (Lk. 24:17-21).
They were in sorrow (Jn. 20:11-15).
It was still dark (Jn. 20:14-15).
The distance was great (Jn. 21:4).
They were startled (Lk. 24:36-37).
They were disbelieving (Jn. 20:24-25).
They were spiritually dull (Lk. 24:25-26).
Slide 46
Objections
to a Physical Resurrection
NOTE:
 THE DIFFICULTY WAS ONLY MOMENTARY.
 BEFORE THE APPEARANCE WAS OVER THEY
WERE COMPLETELY CONVINCED BY:
TOUCHING HIM (JN. 20:17).
SEEING HIS SCARS (LK. 24:40; JN. 20:27-29).
OBSERVING HIM EAT (LK. 24:41-42).
LISTENING TO HIS TEACHING (ACTS 1:3).
Slide 47
INADEQUATE
EXPLANATIONS
OF CHRIST’S
RESURRECTION
Slide 48
The ‘Apparent’ Death Explanation
(H. E. G. PAULUS, THE LIFE OF JESUS, 1828)
IT FAILS TO TAKE SERIOUSLY THE
EXTENT OF JESUS' INJURIES.
He had no sleep the night before.
He was beaten several times and whipped.
He collapsed carrying His cross.
His hands and feet were in nailed to the
cross.
Crucifixion causes the lung cavity to
collapse.
His side was pierced by a spear.
Slide 49
The ‘Apparent’ Death Explanation
IT FAILS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE
NATURE OF JESUS’ DEATH AND BURIAL.
His death cry was heard by those standing
by.
His side was pierced by a spear.
His legs were not broken (to speed death).
He was embalmed and wrapped in 75 lbs. of
material.
His corpse was checked by Pilate (Mark
15:44-45).
His corpse was placed in a sealed and
guarded tomb.
Slide 50
The ‘Apparent’ Death Explanation
IT FAILS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE
CHARACTER OF CHRIST.
It makes Jesus into a false prophet.
It makes Jesus into a charlatan.
But He was a person of higher moral
character.
IT FAILS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE
CONVERSION OF HIS DISCIPLES (see
David F. Strauss).
Slide 51
The Myth Explanation
(CF. FRAZER, GOLDEN BOUGH, 1906)
 It fails to recognize the significant difference
between non-Christian belief in a spiritual afterlife
(immortality) and Christian belief in the bodily
resurrection.
 It fails to take into account the important
difference between non-Christian belief in
reincarnation (into a different body) and Christian
belief in resurrection (of the same body).
 It fails to understand the O.T. is the source of N.T.
teaching, not Greek and Roman views.
Slide 52
The Myth Explanation
(CF. FRAZER, GOLDEN BOUGH, 1906)
 It fails to take note of the late date for most of these
non-Christian myth stories (2nd century f.).
 It makes honest N.T. witnesses into fabricators
and liars (2 Peter 1:16).
 There is insufficient time between the event (33
A.D.) and the first records (40-50 A.D.) for
legendary development.
Slide 53
The Myth Explanation
(CF. FRAZER, GOLDEN BOUGH, 1906)
 It overlooks the control of eyewitnesses and the
apostles over the growth of legends.
 It fails to account for the transformation of the
disciples from cowards to martyrs.
 The gospel story itself shows no sign of legendary
development as compared to the apocryphal
stories (2nd-3rd century).
Slide 54
The Hallucination Explanation
IT IGNORES HISTORICAL EVIDENCE FOR
THE RELIABILITY OF THE GOSPELS.
IT DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE
MIRACULOUS TRANSFORMATION OF THE
DISCIPLES.
IT DOES NOT EXPLAIN HOW 500 PEOPLE
ON 12 OCCASIONS OVER 40
DAYS WERE ALL DECEIVED.
Slide 55
The Hallucination Explanation
 IT DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE INITIAL
SKEPTICISM OF THE
DISCIPLES.
 IT DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE FACT THAT THE
RESURRECTION WAS FOREIGN TO THE MINDS
OF THE DISCIPLES.
 IT DOES NOT ACCOUNT FOR THE EMPTY
TOMB.
Slide 56
The Stolen Body Explanation
Reasons the Disciples did not steal it:
It is contrary to their known
character
It is contrary to their willingness to
die for their belief in the resurrection.
It is contrary to their belief that this
was the center of their faith.
Slide 57
The Stolen Body Explanation
Reasons the Disciples did not steal it:
It is contrary to the fact that no one
ever recanted in spite of the fact that
they would have been prime candidates, given their persecution.
It is contrary to the conversions of
James and Paul, who would never
have been convinced to defect to
Christianity on such a basis.
Slide 58
The Stolen Body Explanation
Reasons no one else stole the body:
This is contrary to the disciples experiences after Jesus’ death. What did they
see, hear, and touch?
This is contrary to the conversion of
James and Saul. How could such critics be
so duped?
There is not a shred of evidence to
support it.
Body could have been produced to refute
this.
Slide 59
The Parapsychology Explanation
(hallucination due to telepathy)
IT DOES NOT EXPLAIN:
What happened to Jesus’ body.
Where Jesus got His new spiritual body.
The bodily nature of Christ’s resurrection.
The appearance to 500 (1 Cor. 15).
The later appearance to Paul.
(see Michael Perry, Easter Enigma)
Slide 60
The Parapsychology Explanation
(hallucination due to telepathy)
IT DOES NOT EXPLAIN:
How Jesus can be exonerated from the
charge of deception.
The long (40 days) and numerous (12)
appearances of Christ.
How He could appear to those aware of
His death. (when not being aware is the
key of this psychological condition).
(see Michael Perry, Easter Enigma)
Slide 61
The Reincarnation Explanation
RESURRECTION REINCARNATION
IMMORTAL
BODY
ONE-TIME
EVENT
ULTIMATE
STATE
PERFECTED
MORAL BODY
MANY-TIMES
EVENT
INTERMEDIATE
STATES
IN PROCESS
Slide 62
The ‘Vision’ Explanation
VISION
INTERNAL
NO PHYSICAL
MANIFESTATION
APPEARANCE
EXTERNAL
PHYSICAL
MANIFESTATION
(VOICE, LIGHT, BODY)
2 CORINTHIANS 12
1 CORINTHIANS 15
DANIEL 2, 7
GENESIS 18-19
REVELATION 1
MATTHEW 17
Accepted Historical Facts
that Prove the Resurrection:
Slide 63
(1) Jesus died due to the rigors
of crucifixion.
(2) Jesus was buried.
(3) His disciples doubted and
despaired because Jesus'
death challenged their
hopes.
(4) The tomb in which Jesus
had been buried was
discovered to be empty
just a few days later.
Slide 64
Twelve Historical Facts
(5) The disciples had real
experiences that they
believed were actual
appearances of the risen
Jesus.
(6) The disciples were transformed and were even
willing to die for the truth
of these events.
(7) This gospel message was
the very center of preaching in the early church.
Slide 65
Twelve Historical Facts
(8) The gospel was even proclaimed in Jerusalem, the
city where Jesus had died.
(9) The Christian church was
firmly established by
these disciples.
(10) The primary day of worship was Sunday—the day
Jesus was reported to have
risen.
Slide 66
Twelve Historical Facts
(11) James, Jesus' previously
skeptical brother, was
converted when he
believed he saw the
resurrected Jesus.
(12) Paul, a leader in the
persecution of the church,
was also converted by a
real experience which he
believed to be the risen
Jesus.
Slide 67
SO WHAT?
CONSEQUENCES OF DENYING
THE RESURRECTION:
On Creation (Rom 8)
On Salvation (I Cor. 15)
On Character of Christ (Lk. 24)
On Humanity of Christ (I Jn. 4:2)
On Christian Hope (I Thess. 4)
Slide 68
IN BRIEF,
God Failed,
Christ Lied,
No Hope.
Slide 69
Seven Stanzas
at Easter
Make no mistake: if He rose at all it was as
His body; if the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the
molecules reknit, the amino acids rekindle, the Church
will fall.
Telephone Poles and Other Poems © 1961 by John Updike.
Slide 70
Rabbi Accepts Resurrection of Jesus
In the May 7, 1979 issue of Time magazine
Pinchas Lapide argues,
"If the disciples were totally disappointed
and on the verge of desperate flight
because of the very real reason of the
crucifixion, it took another very real
reason in order to transform them from a
band of disheartened and dejected Jews
into the most self-confident missionary
society in world history." He concludes
that a bodily resurrection could possibly
have been that reason.
Slide 71
Rabbi Accepts Resurrection of Jesus
A letter to Time magazine in the June 4,
1979 issue responds:
“Pinchas Lapide's logic escapes me. He
believes it is a possibility that Jesus was
resurrected by God. At the same time he
does not accept Jesus as the Messiah. But
Jesus said that He was the Messiah. Why
would God resurrect a liar?”