The Resurrection of Jesus: Fact or Fiction? Part 1
Posted by deangonzales on March 31, 2010
5 Comments
There are few people who’d dare deny the historicity of Jesus of Nazareth. Even Bible critics usually concede that Jesus lived and was crucified as an insurrectionist by Roman authorities at the instigation of Jewish religious leaders. Many people today, however, question the historicity of the bodily resurrection—even so-called Christian scholars. Some say that we can never be sure whether Jesus rose from the dead. One modern historian, for example, writes:
As historians . . . we would prefer not to speak of the Easter event as a ‘fact’ at all, not in the ordinary sense of the word. We can say something about the situation before Easter, and we can say other things about the consequences of the Easter event, but the resurrection does not lend itself to being spoken of as a ‘fact,’ for it cannot be described. We can say that Jesus died and was buried, and that his disciples were then discouraged and disappointed men. That was the situation before Easter. . . . On the other side of Easter, we can say that the disciples were changed men. . . . who were free to face death without fear. Whatever it was that lay between, and which might account for this change, is not open to our historical investigation. The evidence is insufficient. All we can say is that something happened.”1
Others are less hesitant. Ronald Gregor Smith tells us that “So far as historicity is concerned . . . we may freely say that the bones of Jesus lie somewhere in Palestine.”2 Nevertheless, the plain fact is that Jesus’s disciples, not long after His death, began to claim and proclaim His resurrection. And Christ’s resurrection was then and continues to be the central theme of the New Testament and the gospel. It is this event that Christians will commemorate on Easter Sunday.
The question we must ask ourselves is this: are we celebrating a real historical event? Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Or is the resurrection a myth? Is it a kind of fable? Does it fall into the same category as the Easter Bunny? Does our faith in the resurrection stand upon fact or fiction?
In the next two posts, I’d like to make a case for the historicity of Jesus’s resurrection and highlight its relevance for us today. I believe the evidence for the bodily resurrection of Christ is irrefutable. And it’s not just a brute fact; its factuality is of tremendous importance to our Christianity.
The Fact of Jesus’s Resurrection Affirmed
The New Testament provides us with two primary lines of evidence to support the bodily resurrection of Jesus.
I. The First Line of Evidence: the Empty Tomb
A. The witness of the New Testament
All four Gospels report that on the third day after Jesus had been crucified and entombed his disciples discovered that his body had disappeared from the tomb in which it had been placed (Matt 28:6; Mark 16:5-6; Luke 24:3, 6, 22-24; John 20:5-8). Let’s briefly look at one of those reports—John 20:3-8:
So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed (emphasis added; John 20:3-8, ESV).
Note the following: first, we have two eyewitnesses (in addition to the women who had already been there) to confirm that the tomb was indeed empty. Both Peter and John saw the empty tomb. Second, the tomb was not completely empty. The burial spices along with Jesus’s grave clothes remained. According to John, there was something about those remaining grave clothes that persuaded him that Jesus had risen. Some commentators believe that what John saw were grave linens that still retained the shape of Jesus’s body. Apparently, Jesus’s resurrection body had passed though his grave clothes much in the same way that he would later pass through the walls of a locked room (John 20:19, 26).
Unfortunately, not everyone has arrived at the same conclusion as John. Some have attempted to explain the empty tomb on other grounds.
B. The critical theories
1. The “wrong tomb” theory
This theory alleges that the women and the disciples mistakenly went to the wrong tomb. But this is unlikely for the following reasons. First, the women had followed Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to the tomb and watched as they placed Jesus’ body in it (Matt 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55). Second, we can sure that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus would have checked out the real tomb once they heard the rumors of the resurrection. Third, we can be more certain that the Jewish and Roman authorities would have gladly corrected the disciples’ mistake by leading them to the right tomb and by showing them the physical remains.
2. The “swoon” theory
This theory alleges that Jesus did not actually die on the cross, but he only slipped into a coma. Later, after he was placed in the tomb with all the embalming spices, He revived, left the tomb, sneaked past the guards, and made his way back to the disciples, who, when they saw him, wrongly concluded that he had risen from the dead. But once again, this theory lacks cogency for the following reasons. First, this view requires us to believe that his executioners were incompetent both as executioners and as judges of the state of their crucified victims. Yet the Gospel record indicates that specific steps were taken to insure that Jesus was actually dead. Let me quote to from John’s Gospel:
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness–his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth–that you also may believe (emphasis added; John 19:32-35, ESV).
John’s reference to the blood and water confirms that Jesus’ had really died.
Second, the “swoon” theory requires us to believe that Jesus not only survived the excruciating pain of wounded hands and feet, not to mention the loss of blood from the prior lashing as well as the lanced side, the physical weakness and shock to his whole system, and the lack of physical nourishment, but also—in that weak state—He managed to get free from the grave wrappings and then to push away the large stone single handedly without the notice of the Roman guard. Then he showed himself to the women and the disciples in this weakened and emaciated state. And wonder of wonders … he was able to convince them that he was the Lord of Life and had risen from the dead!
3. The “stolen body” theory
This theory alleges that either Christ’s enemies or his disciples stole his body from the tomb. In rebuttal, consider the following. First, if Christ’s enemies stole His body from the tomb, then we must wonder why they would do the very thing that would contribute to the very notion they wanted to prevent (Matt 27:62:66). Moreover, we must wonder why the Romans or the Jews did not simply produce the body or a reliable witness to explain its whereabouts when the disciples began to proclaim his resurrection. A few decades later, the Jews accused Paul before Festus of preaching that Jesus was alive. Afterwards Festus told king Agrippa that “they could not prove” the charges. All that they would have to do would be to produce the dead body or call witness who knew where that body was located. But they could not do that because they had no idea what happened to the body of Christ.
In the second place, if Christ’s disciples stole His body (which was alleged), then it’s very unlikely that a group of disorganized, fearful disciples would have attempted such an exploit. To break a Roman governor’s seal was a high crime. And the NT everywhere represents the disciples at this point as cowardly and fearful (John 20:19). Furthermore, how could they have gotten past the Roman guards and have rolled away the large stone without being detected (Matt. 27:62-66). The Roman guard was probably a quaternion, consisting of four soldiers. It’s unlikely that all four guards would have been so careless so as to fall asleep—especially since the penalty for sleeping on watch could be death. And if they had fallen asleep, as was claimed, how did they know it was the disciples who took the body? Finally, if the disciples were responsible for stealing and secretly disposing of the body, we must believe they went forth and proclaimed as historical fact a mere fiction which they had contrived. Even more remarkable, when they were faced with persecution and even death for preaching a resurrected Christ, not one of them confessed that it was all a hoax. This scenario is highly unlikely. For as one man has wisely observed: “Liars and hypocrites are not the stuff from which martyrs are made.”
In conclusion, the explanation that best accords with the evidence is the very one offered by the apostles—the body of Jesus was no longer in the tomb, because He had risen from the dead!
Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption (emphasis added; Act 2:29-31, ESV).
The implication of Peter’s words is clear. David’s tomb with bones is still with us. Therefore, that Psalm could not have primary reference to him. Jesus’ tomb, however, is bodiless and empty. Ergo: the empty tomb of Christ preaches the resurrection!
But perhaps we have a doubting Thomas among our readers. Someone may still want to insist that an empty tomb by itself only proves that something happened to Jesus body. Technically speaking, that is correct. Therefore, we need to turn to one more line of evidence.
II. The Second Line of Evidence: the Post-Resurrection Appearances
A. The witness of the New Testament
The NT records at least 10 post-resurrection appearances (five on Easter day and the remaining five during the following 40 days leading up to Christ’s ascension.
- He appeared first to the women (Matt 28:8-10)
- Then to Mary Magdalene who had later returned to the tomb (John 20:10-18)
- Then to Cleopas an another disciple on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
- Then to Peter sometime that afternoon (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor 15:5)
- Then to the disciples in the upper room (Luke 24:36-43).
- Once again to the disciples a week later when Thomas was present (John 20:26-29).
- Then He appeared to seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-22)
- Then he appeared to the eleven on a mountain of Galilee (Matt 28:16-20). This also may have been the occasion in which he appeared to more than five hundred disciples at one time (1 Cor 15:6).
- Then he appeared to his half-brother, James (1 Cor 15:7)
- Finally, he appeared again to the eleven disciples on the occasion of his ascension into heaven (Luke 24:44-52; Acts 1:4-9; 1Cor 15:7).
B. The Critical Theories
Many of the same scholars who believe in the historicity of Jesus’s arrest, trial, and crucifixion, based largely upon the gospel records, nevertheless, reject the historicity of these resurrection appearances and offer the following alternative theories:
1. The resurrection “appearances” were stories that were later invented by the early church.
But his theory still does not explain the empty tomb. Moreover, the NT writings were written too close to the actual events for them to be both fictional and believable. The letter to Corinth was written only 26 years after Christ’s resurrection appearances, and according to Paul, many of the eyewitnesses were still alive (1 Cor 15:6). Any of the Corinthian believers could verify the matter for themselves! Of note is a Jerusalem gravestone dated between 40 and 50 A.D. [10 to 20 years after the resurrection], which contains the words, “Jesus, let him who here rests arise!” Certainly, the story of the resurrection is too close to the event to be a legend. Furthermore, the Gospels portray women as the first witnesses to the resurrection. Since a woman’s testimony was esteemed lightly in those days, it’s highly unlikely that these are fabricated stories. What we really have is honest reporting!
2. The resurrection “appearances” were hallucinations or subjective visions.
In a book entitled, The Myth of God Incarnate, Michael Goulder argues that because Peter was so confident and optimistic that he would see Christ alive again, he had a subjective vision of Christ on Easter morning. Then, later that night, Peter told the other disciples of his experience, and
“so great is the power of hysteria within a small community that in the evening, in the candlelight, with fear of arrest still a force, and hope of resolution budding in them too, it seemed as if the Lord came through the locked door to them, and away again. So . . . the experience of Easter fused a faith that was to carry Jesus to divinity, and his teaching to every corner of the globe.”3.
In other words, the disciples were so confident that they would see Jesus that by means of “auto-suggestion” they actually ‘saw’ Him. Like those who chase UFO’s, they begin to see what they really want to see.
But there are a number of considerations that render this explanation untenable. First, there are details in a number the accounts that underscore the objectiveness of what they were seeing—a real, resurrected body. For example, both times when Jesus appeared to the disciples in the upper room, he showed them His hands and His side and encouraged them to touch Him if they wanted.
But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:37-35, ESV)
Later when He appeared to them by the Sea of Galilee (John 21), he sits down and eats breakfast with them. Jesus wanted them to be sure that they were not dreaming or hallucinating. Second, the multiple and varied appearances of Christ make it highly unlikely that these were hallucinations or subjective visions. Jesus appeared
(a) At different times during the day
(b) Both in Jerusalem and in Galilee
(c) In public as in private
(d) To women as well as men
(e) To individuals, to a pair of disciples, to small groups, and finally to a large assembly of 500 people.
Imagine your sanctuary is packed with 300 people on Sunday morning. Then your pastor does something strange. He climbs on top of the pulpit and does a little dance. When the sermon’s over, you walk outside shaking your head and wondering whether it was just a dream—or perhaps something you ate for breakfast. Later, you ask your spouse. You check with your children. You start calling others on the phone to confirm. Sure enough, you discover that all 300 people confirm the very event you though you saw. You may not know what to think about your pastor, but you can be certain that it was no mere vision or hallucination.
Third, the subjective confidence and expectation that would give rise to such subjective visions of Jesus was total lacking. The women taking spices to the tomb obviously did not anticipate that he was still living. The disciples were at first quite skeptical of the report (John 20:19; cf. John 20:25).
So the other disciples told [Thomas], “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (emphasis added; John 20:25, ESV)
Third, the general spirit and disposition of the disciples after Christ’s death was one of disappointment, discouragement, and despair: “and [the resurrected Jesus] said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!” (Luke 24:25, ESV; cf. John 20:19). And what transformed their spirit of disappointment, discouragement, and despair into a spirit of excitement, confidence and hope? Consider the witness of Acts 1:3:
He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3 ESV).
The Greek term translated “proofs” (tekmerion) refers evidence that causes someone to know for sure or with certainty. It’s the term that was used for the strongest type of legal evidence. According to Luke the Physician, the human author of Acts, that is precisely the kind of evidence that supports the resurrection.
It was this strong evidence that God used to convert a lawyer by the name of Frank Morison. Morison had been brought up as an unbelieving rationalist. He believed that Jesus was a good man, however, he denied the supernatural. He believed that resurrection of Christ was nothing but a fairy tale. In fact, he decided to write a book about Christ’s death, and he determined to prove that the resurrection was fiction. However, when he sat down and analyzed the evidence, he came to an entirely differently conclusion. He still wrote the book. Only now, he defended the resurrection. And it wasn’t long before his book, Who Moved the Stone? became a best seller. In the words of one modern theologian:
Nothing less than [Christ's] actual resurrection can explain both the empty tomb and the disciples’ transformation from doubt and gloom to faith and the martyr’s joy. And we neither should nor need look for another explanation as the ground of their Easter faith.4.
That’s the fact of Christ’s resurrection affirmed. In our next installment, we’ll seek to demonstrate the practical relevance of the historical fact. What does this historical event that happened 2000 years ago have to do with us today?
Your servant,
Bob Gonzales, Dean
Reformed Baptist Seminary
Recently, colleges and universities around the country celebrated the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth. Not everyone in America finds Darwin’s birth an occasion for celebration. Throughout Western history, most people accepted Biblical creationism—until Darwin introduced his theories. The rapid advance of evolutionary theory has now relegated creationism to the realms of faith and superstition. It must remain there, because if creationism were true, evolutionists would be forced to face their greatest fear.
Philosopher Deepak Chopra and Pastor Mark Driscoll (along with two other opponents) square off on ABC Nightline to debate whether the personal being Satan has objective existence. To watch the debate, follow the link below.
