The resurrection of Jesus Christ separates Christianity from all other religions. Christianity without the literal, physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is merely one religion among many. "And if Christ is not risen," said the Apostle Paul, "then our preaching is empty and your faith is in vain”. (1 Corinthians 15:14) Furthermore, "You are still in your sins!” Paul could not have chosen stronger language. (Mohler)
Many people ridicule Christians for believing in a man who resurrected from the dead. They laugh at Christians and criticize them for basing their faith on an event that lack proof and evidence. However, the evidence that skeptics use to challenge the Christian faith, in actuality, support the claims that Jesus truly was the God that he claimed to be. The evidence that affirms Jesus’ claims to be true include his lifestyle and teachings, the prophecies that he fulfilled, historical facts, and the dramatic transformation of the lives of his disciples. Many may ask Christians how they can believe in a Savior without proof of his divinity; but, in reality, God has given us an abundance of signs. He is still providing us with compelling evidence
This paper is a review of the book The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach by Michael Licona. This book is comprised of pages that “investigate the question of the historicity of Jesus’ resurrection while providing unprecedented interaction with the literature of professional historians outside of the community of biblical scholars on both hermeneutical and methodological considerations.” The book is separated into five long chapters: “Chapter 1: Important Consideration pertaining to Historical Truth” , “Chapter 2: The Historians and Miracles”, “Chapter 3: Historical Sources Pertaining to the Resurrection of Christ”, “Chapter 4: The Historical Bedrock Pertaining to the Fate of Jesus”, and “Chapter 5: Weighing Hypothesis”.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the topics in Christianity whose factuality is most highly debated. A point for people who advocate for atheism is usually the preposterousness of a man dying and coming back to life. However, the resurrection, if proven true, is one of the most powerful points for the truth of Christianity as a whole. Whether or not the legend is true boils down to two things to prove: that Jesus actually died, and if he could have later been spotted after death. Just a few arguments against the truth behind the resurrection include the swoon theory, the faking death theory, the hallucination theory among others. We can debunk all these theories, as well as provide additional
In Chapter I of The Gnostic Gospels, “The Controversy over Christ’s Resurrection: Historical Event or Symbol?”, Pagels describe how the beliefs of Christ’s bodily resurrection differ from the Orthodox Christians and the Gnostics. Pagels include both viewpoints through the use of narratives to display what both believe to be the fundamental element of Christian faith. Orthodox Christians believe in a reversed cycle of Jesus brought back alive from the dead. Pagels supports this belief through the use of narratives and claims in the text from Jesus’ disciples and other spiritual leaders, such as Tertullian and Peter. The resurrection of Jesus is a symbol of his authority to his followers. However, Pagels intensifies the viewpoint by introducing
The resurrection in the gospel message is very important to any reader/believer. Its very important for many reasons, first off the gospel would be incomplete without the resurrection. If Jesus walked the earth and was the messiah, he was a healer, a sinless man, performed miracles, and taught about the kingdom of God but then died then we would have no hope in the afterlife.
Being a Christian in today’s world is not as simple or as accepting by humanity as it may seem. There are many varied worldviews, all believing that their own worldview concept is the right and correct one. Christianity is no exception, which makes it necessary to show a clear understanding as to what a Christian worldview consists of. So, the purpose of this paper will lead to a better understanding of God, humanity, Jesus, restoration, analyzing the Christian worldview, and reflection upon my own personal belief.
Jesus’ resurrection was the greatest miracle he has planned out and accomplished. We, Christians, must believe that Jesus died and resurrected from the dead for our salvation. Salvation is a term that means the deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ. During the resurrection, the Jews believed Jesus was there to defend and defeat their enemies. They thought wrong. Jesus needed to sacrifice his own life to save us. Everyone didn’t want him to complete this plan. They thought he was crazy and out of his mind for him to put his life on the line, but Jesus did it anyway. Whenever the Jews told him that he shouldn’t be doing this, or telling him that he shouldn’t go, he told him that it was the devil speaking through them and that they’re not thinking.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most debated issues throughout history. Christians place their trust in a resurrected Christ for salvation and a promise of eternal life. If the resurrection never happened, Christianity is a lie and people have been mislead for generations. On the other hand if the resurrection is true, Christianity is true also. This issue is of extreme importance because one’s soul is at stake. If all the claims that Christians make for the resurrection are true, the evidence for these claims must be examined. Equally important, are the claims against the resurrection; they too need to be looked at with careful consideration. Because so much is at stake, the question must be answered: Is the
The four “facts” and subsequent points listed in this article, are the most convincing argument for Christ’s resurrection
In this paper I will discuss the following three topics; why are personal testimonies important in sharing the gospel, if a person is a Christian does it matter how they live their life, and does it matter if Jesus was raised bodily or is spiritual resurrection sufficient. I believe that these are three very important questions in theology. The answers to these questions explain why we believe what we believe and why we as Christians practice the way that we do.
Tillich suggests in the article “A Reinterpretation of the Doctrine of the Incarnation” that Christians do not have a purely historiographical interest in the man known as Jesus, but a thriving interest in the Christ. He elaborates by saying the reports about Jesus of Nazareth found in the gospels are the reports of Jesus as the Christ, not just a man. Tillich finds that mere historical research cannot tear down the foundation of Christianity because there is immense power in the symbol of “Christ” (a topic later discussed in the essay).
The discussion post presents an interesting argument for the inclusion of the Resurrection as a sign. Several intriguing points are made and provide some notable opinions. Interesting is the definite fact pointed out that death is enviable. Jesus is clear that there is a death that all must face, but also a life that is available for those who chose it. Morris mentions that Jesus never hid the fact that each person is faced with a choice they have to make with concern and results effecting their eternal life. However while Jesus presents this in full disclosure to His disciples, it is apparent that the chief priests and the Pharisees where the only ones who actually took Him seriously since they posted guards at the tomb. Even to this
As with most other Pauline attributed documents, 1 Corinthians is believed to be a single document that addresses salient topics and rationalizes Paul’s view of faithfulness to Christ with Corinth citizens. The newly founded church of Corinth was in correspondence with Paul requesting his answers to questions they posed on topics ranging from marriage to the resurrection of the dead; the latter being one of the most highlighted in 1 Corinthians. Paul’s assurance of resurrection illustrates a concern for Corinth as he admonishes their disbelief in resurrection of the dead with a series of explanations as to why such doubt would render the faith of Christ “in vain”. Given the context of the time, Paul’s correspondence with Corinth clearly