A Defense of the Resurrection

Far too often Christians have been led to believe that the resurrection of Jesus is an issue of faith and not history. However, I believe there are a few historical questions that can best be answered by a belief in the resurrection of Jesus.

One such question concerns the empty tomb. First-century historians and New Testament writers confirm that the practice of entombment was a normal occurrence. As a result, it is not a problem to accept that Jesus was placed in a tomb, following His crucifixion. The New Testament contends that the tomb was empty three days later. This claim was made and documented within the lifetime of most of the persons who witnessed the crucifixion.

To date, we are not aware of any credible first century historian who has refuted the Christian claim of an empty tomb. Explanations for the empty tomb include theft by the disciples of Jesus and resuscitation. In light of the Roman reputation for conducting crucifixions, both theories are implausible. To be honest, the resurrection of Jesus is by far the most plausible option.

We are also aware that bone boxes or ossuaries were used to store the bones of persons who were entombed. If Jesus were not resurrected, His bones would have been transferred to an ossuary within eighteen months to two years after entombment. Outside of such ossuaries, the names of the deceased were engraved. To date, hundreds of ossuaries have been found and most identified.

In order to refute the claim of the rapidly growing Christian church in the first century, how is it no one has ever been able to locate the bone box of Jesus? Archaeologists have found bone boxes for Pilate and even James, the brother of Jesus, but no credible claims have been made concerning Jesus’ ossuary. Is it likely that no bone box can be found because no bones were left behind?

In his book, The Jewish Messiahs, Professor Harris Lenowitz indicates that prior to and following the life of Jesus, Jewish leaders arose claiming to be the promised Messiah. Each professed Messiah attracted a following. However, with the death of each Messiah, the followers scattered and the messianic movement died.

Christians contend that unlike other messianic enthusiasts, the Jesus movement did not die following the death of Jesus. There were sure signs of the movement collapsing during the proceedings before and immediately after the crucifixion. The hopelessness of the two men on the road to Emmaus was reflective of the mood of the Jesus movement.

What then could have accounted for the massive turnaround among the followers of Jesus? Within days they were transformed from wimps to witnesses and from cowards to people of courage. This turnaround took place in front of the same authorities before whom they were terrified. The only plausible answer could be a major event that transformed them. Christians contend, the resurrection of Jesus fits that description.

 Furthermore, why did the Christians within a few months of the death of Jesus practice the following?

- corporate worship on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2);
- referencing the first day of the week as “the Lord’s day” (Revelation 1:10);
- reinterpreting Jewish baptism to signify the death and resurrection of Jesus; and
- associating hope of life after death with the resurrection of Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14 and 1 Corinthians 15:20).

The most plausible answer to the above is the resurrection of Jesus on the first day of the week. Even normal greetings among Christians in the first century reflected their belief in the resurrection of Jesus. Christians greeted each other with the words, “He is risen” – the response? “He is risen indeed.” Why would such a greeting be necessary if they did not believe that Jesus was resurrected?

In the recently concluded television series, The Bible, it was clearly shown where ten of the twelve disciples of Jesus died as witnesses. They were prepared to die rather than deny what they saw and knew to be true. Interestingly, no one dies for what he knows to be a lie. People will die for what they believe to be true – but never for what they know to be a lie.

Furthermore, how do historians account for the rapid growth of Christianity so soon after the death of Jesus? It was not only the courage of the disciples but also the outcome of their testimonies before persons who witnessed the death of Jesus. Were it not for the resurrection, the tragic death of Jesus would not be an incentive for new believers.

Agreed, the resurrection of Jesus was miraculous, but it is not historically indefensible.