The foundation of Christianity is centered not just on the existence of Christ but also on the truth of one particular event: Christ’s resurrection. If Christ truly did die on the cross and rise from the dead three days later as each of the writers of the gospels in the New Testament emphasized, then it stands to reason that all of Christ’s teachings are worth listening to. If the resurrection never occurred, there are those that argue that you cannot, therefore, trust anything written in the New Testament.
Of five theories proposed for the resurrection, a large body of people believes that four indicate it to be a myth. However, biblical scholars have countered this with claims that these theories do indeed prove the event to be a historical one. Which of these claims is correct?
Theory 1: This is based on eyewitness accounts of the events. Hundreds were said to be present at the crucifixion, and the disciples recorded the events, both of Christ’s death and of his resurrection and revelation to them and Mary Magdalene, in the Gospels. Others, however, have called these hallucinations that arose from a desire for Jesus to be alive. However, if this was the case, surely the authorities could have produced Christ’s body from the cave and proved the lie. This did not happen because they knew that there was no body in the tomb.
Theory 2: It has been suggested that the Gospels are myths, and were written as such, not as factual accounts. They were representational and not historical. Anybody reading the Gospels can see that to be wrong: the Gospels are presented as well-written eyewitness accounts of factual events. The disciples did see Jesus after his resurrection, and wrote in such a way as to leave no doubt about what and who they saw. There is nothing allegorical there, and certainly not the mythical way of writing that can be taken as fact after years of misinterpretation. The Gospels were written not long after the events and can be taken as accurately presenting what the writers saw with their own eyes.
Theory 3: The resurrection was a deception carried out by the disciples for their own ends. They removed Christ’s body from the grave, then got together and made up the story of him appearing to them. However, were this true, then surely at least one of them or their followers would have broken under the torture to which many were subjected and admitted the fact. Many broke, but none claimed the resurrection to be fiction, and the disciples were martyred without confessing to a deception.
Theory 4: Christ was still alive when taken from the cross, and his unconscious body entombed. He later regained consciousness and left his tomb. This is nonsense, because every account mentions the wound in his side, and blood and water that came from it. Both are correct, because fluid would have accumulated due the effect on the lungs of the crucifixion and both clear fluid and blood would be released when the centurion’s lanced punctured his chest. In any case, he would likely have died from his injuries in his tomb, being unable to move the stone blocking it himself.
Theory 5: Finally, the fifth theory is that the resurrection happened, and that the Gospel accounts are true. Jesus Christ died on the cross, he was buried and in three days rose again, as written, and the event became the basis of Christianity. That is why Easter is the most important time of the year for Christians.
There are a number of people who have set out to prove that the resurrection did not happen and after looking at all of the logical evidence that exists, became believers after all. They learned to think with their hearts as well as their minds.
Robert Mann is creator of the Christian job Web portal Ministry Jobs and Executive Editor of the Christian news Web portal http://www.FreeChristianPress.com.
