Resurrection Historical Evidence

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Historical Evidence for the Resurrection Many skeptics and nonbelievers like to question the resurrection because it is what Christianity is built on. Without the resurrection, Christianity might as well be a dead religion. It is not wrong to question the resurrection because it is such an important subject in the Christian faith that every person must fully understand it. No matter what denomination a Christian is, they must agree to the fact that Jesus physically died on the cross and physically rose three days later. This was the only way Jesus could be the perfect sacrifice. As a way for Christians to be firm in their belief, God left us many historical evidences supporting the resurrection of Jesus Christ- evidences not only…show more content…
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul wrote an early account of Jesus' death, burial, resurrection, and appearances. In verses 12-14, Paul explains that the resurrection of Christ must have been a physical, bodily resurrection saying, “But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” Atheist Gerd Ludemann states, “the elements in the tradition are to be dated to the first years after the crucifixion of Jesus… not later than three years… The formation of the appearance traditions mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 falls into the time between 30 and 33 C.E.” This means that the actual witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ were still alive and could back up the story to skeptics. Paul’s document demonstrates that the core events of the Christian faith are not late legends. Paul wrote this letter to the Corinthians and because the letter was written so shortly after the resurrection, the letter is more accurate and believable (Evidence…show more content…
As stated earlier, the earliest eye witnesses at the tomb were women, which is a remarkable account. It was well known that women as central witnesses to the story would not go over well in court. This would only make sense if it actually happened (Habernas). Jesus also appeared to Peter. Peter wrote about Jesus appearing to him, which adds credibility to the Gospels because Peter was not ready for a crucified Messiah. After denying Jesus three times, Peter was afraid to see Jesus again (Evidence Unseen). Jesus also appeared to a crowd of 500 people, as written in 1 Corinthians 15:3-6: For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have

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