The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus

1
The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus
2
Everyone Can Learn to Present a Case for the
Resurrection of Jesus by Understanding 3 Key
Issues

• Importance of the Resurrection
• Facts of the Resurrection
• Historian and the Resurrection

3
Summary What We Learned Last Week
4
1. The Importance of the Resurrection

• Why is Jesus resurrection so important?

5

• And if Christ has not been raised, then your
  faith is useless, and you are still under
  condemnation for your sins. In that case, all
  who have died believing in Christ have perished.
  
• Paul (1 Cor. 1517-18)

6
If Jesus Rose from the Dead . . .

• There is a solid basis for the truth of Jesus
  message.

7
Minimal Facts

• Consider only those facts that meet 2 criteria
• Strong supporting evidence
• Majority of scholars grant
• Skeptic cant respond that he does not believe
  the Bible and, therefore, is not compelled to
  accept Jesus resurrection.

8
4 Minimal Facts

• Jesus Death by Crucifixion
• Empty Tomb
• Friends of Jesus believed he rose appeared to
  them
• Foes of Jesus believed he rose appeared to them

9
Making a Historical Case forthe Resurrection of
Jesus
10
3. The Historian the Resurrection

• Absolute Certainty vs. Reasonable Certainty
• The best explanation
• Includes all of the facts
• Facts fit easily (i.e., not forced)

11
(No Transcript)
12
(No Transcript)
13
(No Transcript)
14
Examining Explanations of What Happened to Jesus
15
Hallucinations

• Jesus death by crucifixion (Yes)
• Empty Tomb (No)
• Appearances to Friends (Strain)
• Appearances to Foes (No)

16
Fraud Disciples Lied Stole Body

• Jesus death by crucifixion (Yes)
• Empty Tomb (Yes)
• Appearances to Friends (Strain)
• Appearances to Foes (No)

17
Jesus Rose from the Dead

• Jesus death by crucifixion (Yes)
• Empty Tomb (Yes)
• Appearances to Friends (Yes)
• Appearances to Foes (Yes)

18
The Case for Resurrection of Jesus

• (4) Minimal Facts
• The theory that Jesus rose is by far the best
  explanation of these facts.