The historicity of Christ, including his death by crucifixion, is a fact that about as well attested as any in the ancient world. The evidence for Christ's existence is much stronger than that for Socrates, Alexander the Great, and numerous figures of ancient times whose historicity no one doubts. Historians are unanimous that Christ was born, that he developed a following, that he antagonized the Jewish and Roman authorities, and that he was put to death. But what about the resurrection?
"If Christ had not been raised," Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:17, "our preaching is useless and so is your faith." The resurrection is the most important event in Christianity. (For this reason, Easter is actually a more important holiday for Christians than Christmas.) Other religions such as Judaism and Islam may feature miracles but miracles are not central to their theology. Christianity, by contrast, is based on the miracle of the resurrection.
Since the nineteenth century, some biblical scholars have refused to accept the biblical account of the Resurrection because it was produced by people obviously biased in Christ's favor. Interestingly Christ's followers, by their own admission, did not expect the resurrection. Arriving three days after his death, the women brought spices to his tomb to anoint and preserve his body. Only then did they observe that the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty.
The fact of the empty tomb was admitted by the Roman guards and also by the Jewish magistrates, who told the Roman authorities that Christ's followers must have stolen the body. In Jewish polemic against Christianity, this has been the standard explanation for the empty tomb. Yet it is prima facie implausible, since how could a handful of female disciples have subdued Roman guards and moved the stone blocking access to the tomb?
The apostles were deeply skeptical about reports of a resurrection, and Christ had to appear to them several times before these doubts were dispelled. Paul writes that Christ "appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, although some have passed away." Paul here appeals to direct empirical evidence: the testimony of multiple witnesses who actually saw Jesus alive after his execution. Of this group, Paul says that many are still alive, which means they are in a position to refute him if what he is claiming is wrong. In the history of hallucinations, is there a single instance in which five hundred people all saw the same person--a figure known to them--and were all equally mistaken?
But is the testimony of the early Christians reliable? Well, let us see. The disciples became so convinced of what they had seen that their dirges of lamentation were replaced with cries of joy. Proclaiming Christ crucified and Christ risen, they launched the greatest wave of religious conversion in history. Historians tell us that the number of Christians increased from around 100 at the time of Christ's death to around 30 million by the early fourth century, when the Roman emperor himself converted to Christianity.
These conversions occurred in the teeth of fierce political opposition and the persecution of the greatest empire in the ancient world, the empire of Rome. The early Christians did not hesitate to identify themselves with a man who had been branded a traitor and a criminal. They endured imprisonment, torture, exile, and death rather than renounce their commitment to a resurrected Christ.
Imagine a disputed event in court where numerous eyewitnesses gave evidence of the same fact and stood by their testimony so firmly that they would be willing to endure life imprisonment or even the death penalty rather than say the contrary. Would any jury doubt that such people, who would have little to gain and everything to lose, were telling the truth?
"Yes," an atheist friend of mine conceded. "But aren't the radical Muslims also willing to die in order to get the virgins in heaven?" Perhaps so, but the two cases are not comparable. The radical Muslims are taking on faith that their actions will take them to an Elysian place where the virgins will be waiting. By contrast, the Christians who went to their deaths at the hands of the Romans did so because they refused to renounce an event in their own experience. Why would someone be willing to die for something that he knew to be a lie?
Even from a secular point of view, the evidence for Christ's resurrection is surprisingly strong. It might even be sufficient to convince an impartial jury in a court of law. The big question surrounding Good Friday and Easter is not: did all this happen? It did. The big question is whether we will let Christ into our hearts, so that he can raise us up on the day of judgment.
This Easter reflection is adapted from my book What's So Great About Christianity.
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 56)
31. Q: Did the Resurrection actually happen?
A: No, it didn't. It's just a myth. Resurrection is impossible. Only the most gullible and stupid humans believe that someone can rise from the dead.
Knight_of_BAAWA at 2:24PM on Mar 21st 2008
32. I don't normally post comments here, but I jut have to say: Dinesh, stay away from trying to act like a lawyer. Just...stay away.
Cate at 2:29PM on Mar 21st 2008
33. I guess because it is Good Friday, Dinesh is feeling more religious than ususal. You know, like the guy that only goes to church on Easter and Christmas.
His article lacks the usual smarmy hatred towards liberals.
Fear not, come Monday, it will be back to business as usual.
David S. at 2:29PM on Mar 21st 2008
34. The Romans tolerated many different religions during these times as long as there coffers were full. That would be as long as you didn’t preach against Roman leader, Government, or cause an uprising you were ok. The resurrection story would have not bothered the Romans much, because it never caused an upheaval. So really no one had to fear anything by saying they seen him rise.
TheSourc at 2:37PM on Mar 21st 2008
35. There is abundant historical evidence that Muhammad existed. Many Muslims have died for their faith (and believe it or not, sometimes in defense of their faith). Why would they die for a lie? The Prophet Muhammad ascended directly to heaven from Jerusalem. This miracle proves the existence of Allah and his blessing upon Muhammad.
But of course, Islam is false and CHRISTIANITY is true, isn't it, Dinesh?
AndrewV at 2:37PM on Mar 21st 2008
36. It must be tough being a Christian. Not only do you have to prove that all other religions are false, you also have to explain why yours is true. Oh, wait, no you don't. You just have to be pig-headed and ignorant.
AndrewV at 2:39PM on Mar 21st 2008
37. I hate to sound like a broken record, but the resurection did not happen. If it did, you'd think the author of the Mark Gospel would have written about it.
You think he did? If you have a decent bible, please look at the footnote on or around Mark 16:8.
Have a great spring equinox!
Ryan Anderson at 2:43PM on Mar 21st 2008
38. Mr. D'Souza I am literally in total shock and almost cannot believe what I just read. For once, there is actually something that sheds a positive light on Christianity and what we believe. In this day in age when it seems like the whole world is so anti-christian and anti-God this was a much welcome change. I don't have a problem if people do not choose to believe the way I do, it's their right and choice. I do take great offense however, at all the hate related sentiments aimed at Christians these days. Why are christians told that we have to accept so many different forms of beliefs while the very beliefs that we hold dear and the fact that we do believe is so openly and freely despised? Why are so many (not all) of the very ones who speak against prejudice because of one's religion, lifestyle, color,etc...so violently opposed and outspoken against Christians? Is this not the hypocrisy that christians so often get accused of?
Monica at 2:56PM on Mar 21st 2008
39. "26. Oh, and one more thing to nitpick. Jews bury their dead almost always within 24 hours. But they don't go back in 3 days to annoint and prepare a body.
Once it's buried, it's buried.
Linda at 2:00PM on Mar 21st 2008"
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Linda,
I saw a documentary recently (about 6 months ago) on cable about Mary Magdelene. It had a small part about the burial of Jesus. According to the documentary, the same time Jesus was making a name for himself, the myth of resurrection had taken hold in the Jewish community. The burial procedures changed and they began to wrap a body and keep it seperate from other bodies while the flesh rotted away. One year later, the family would return and unwrap the body to reveal the bones. The bones would then be put into a cubby-like hole in the wall to await the general ressurection of believers. This further makes the story that the women returned 3 days afterward unlikely since it is not what was generally done with the bodies at that time.
K at 2:58PM on Mar 21st 2008
40. Monica,
That only happens when you (christians) try to insert yourself into everyone else's lives by trying to pass laws forbidding people to marry based on gender and sexual orientation and try to overturn Roe vs. Wade based on religious opinions that, obviously, the entire country does not share. Keep your religion out of our government and stop trying to make the world conform to your beliefs, and no one will take offense. Until then, you reap what you sow.
K at 3:02PM on Mar 21st 2008
41. The historicity of Christ, including his death by crucifixion, is a fact that about as well attested as any in the ancient world.
--==--
No, the historical evidence of Jesus is not indisputable. What did Jesus do for the large part of his life?( lost weekend?) As for being crucified, many people were treated as such in the era. Jesus being crucified may indeed be a fact, but that does NOT lead to the illogical conclusion that he was the son of some nonexistent god. What the other fellas who were crucified with him?
As for your religion being based on a miracle, it only shows me how gullible people are.
If Judiasm is not based on a miracle..please tell Adam and Eve. I'm sure god thinks that was a pretty special feat. Though not as important as resurecting his own son?
mac at 3:04PM on Mar 21st 2008
42. Monica, replace "christian" with "neo-nazi" and you'll see how others view your idiotic death-cult.
Knight_of_BAAWA at 3:02PM on Mar 21st 2008
43. The Correct Answer is, Jesus was never resurrected. After watching Jesus die, or hearing the story, people had DREAMS about Jesus.
When you write down a dream, it APPEARS to be a resurrection appearance.
William Hays at 1:53PM on Mar 21st 2008
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This bozo, has no way of knowing if people dreamed about Jesus or not.
You make it up as you go to fit your Godless opinion.
Observant at 3:05PM on Mar 21st 2008
44. Right Monica, christians are persecuted, especially in the USA... I am reaching for my kleenex, my throat is constricting, tears are welling up...
Joe Bob at 3:04PM on Mar 21st 2008
45. Observant -- "This bozo, has no way of knowing if people dreamed about Jesus or not."
As you have no way of knowing that Jesus was resurrected.
Ryan Anderson at 3:08PM on Mar 21st 2008