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An Examination of “Minimal Fact” Argument for the Resurrection of Christ as Proposed by Gary Habermas

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Michael Haggard
Advanced Topics in Contemporary Apologetics - Course Number: AP 661 IS R2 03
Trinity Theological Seminary

AN EXAMINATION OF “MINIMAL FACT” ARGUMENT FOR
THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST AS PROPOSED BY GARY HABERMAS

Gary Robert Habermas is distinguished Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy as well as department chairman of Philosophy and Theology at Liberty University in Virginia.[1] He has devoted a large part of his career to the topic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and most likely has done more than any other scholar to defend its historicity.[2] In his research on the resurrection, over a two year period, Habermas tracked down more than twelve hundred publications dealing with the resurrection of Christ. …show more content…

Though scholars perform standards of examination to determine the reliability of a passage of Scripture, seldom can one find a list of these principles, due in part to some standards being preferred over others by individual scholars.[16] Habermas assembles a list of those criteria most generally agreed to by Biblical critics when examining a passage for historical accuracy: Early evidence is strongly preferred to later contributions; whenever there are sources with eyewitnesses there is preference; attestation by more than once source; discontinuity of the quotation, meaning it could not have possibly come from another source; the presence of Aramaic words or other indications of Palestinian origin; coherence to other facts that are established; disparaging remarks about the author, indicating truthfulness and a lack of obfuscation; and finally, enemy attestation, especially when it is not in their own best interest to do so.[17] It is with these generally acceptable standards that the minimal facts speak to the truth of the resurrection. Considering Habermas' appeal to use similar standards for the Bible narrative as are used for other historical narratives, he has asked critics to consider that the New Testament is supported by more than 5500 copies and partial copies in Greek and other languages, while most classical Greek and Roman texts have fewer than 10 each.[18] Though it does not prove the truthfulness, it does show the record accurately

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