Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, have you
reached a verdict? In these closing statements, I will briefly summarize
the evidence that you are asked to weigh. Since this case is one of
history, I shall appeal t Verdict on the Resurrection o the primary
historical documents. We shall hear the testimony of competent, reliable
witnesses of the highest moral character- individuals who would rather
die than lie. The case before us: The people [of God] vs. Mr. Cynic
concerns the reality of the resurrection of Jesus and demands your most
diligent attention.
Four Core Facts
In formulating this case for the defense
(Phil. 1:7,17), I am, above all, overwhelmed. Evidence for the
literal resurrection of Jesus is more than sufficient to convince any
unbiased jury. I trust that you will examine the evidence in an
objective manner. For the sake of clarity as well as brevity, I shall
not appeal to the great bulk of evidence which supports the literal,
bodily resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Rather, I will focus on four
undeniable facts. Let me remind the court that these four facts are
verified and confirmed by virtually all authorities in the fields of
history, archaeology, and biblical research. While these scholars do not
agree as to the meaning and significance of these facts, the facts
themselves are indisputable. It remains up to you, good men and women of
the jury, to reach a verdict.
Just as there are four indisputable facts
surrounding the events of the case before us, there are also four
theories of interpretation. I will discuss each of these, in turn, as we
examine the four facts (see Chart).
Fact One: Jesus' Death
by Crucifixion
Although several prejudiced naturalists have
proposed theories suggesting that Jesus did not actually die on the
cross (The Swoon Theory), but only faked death, such an hypothesis does
not hold up under a careful examination of the evidence. The record
indicates that Jesus did, in fact, die from the effects of crucifixion
(Jn. 19:31-34). According to David Strauss (A New Life of Jesus,
1879) and a recent article in the Journal of the American Medical
Society, Jesus probably died of asphyxiation long before his body was
pierced by the Roman soldier.
Clearly, the weight of historical and
medical evidence indicates that Jesus was dead before the wound to his
side was inflicted and supports the traditional view that the spear
thrust between his right ribs, probably perforated not only the right
lung but also the pericardium and heart and thereby ensured his death.
Accordingly, interpretations based on the assumption that Jesus did not
die on the cross appear to be at odds with modern medical knowledge
(JAMS, March 21, 1986).
Are we to believe that Jesus merely faked
death in light of this evidence? Yet for the sake of argument, let us
suppose that Jesus was able to convince his disciples, Pilate, the
soldiers and the Jews that he was dead. Could he, in such a weakened
condition, untie over one hundred pounds of linen cloth and burial
ointments (Jn. 19:39)? Could he roll away the huge stone from
this newly cut tomb (Matt. 27:60-61) and escape past the Roman
guards? If so, what condition would he be in? Would his battered,
tattered, and weary body convince his disciples of a victory over death?
Lest you remain undecided, kind jury, let us examine the second fact.
Fact Two: Experiences
of the Disciples
It is precisely here at this second point
that we have an abundance of testimony. Post-resurrection appearances
are documented in no less than twelve separate occasions. Below is a
list of these appearances in chronological order:
(1) To Mary Magdalene (Jn. 20:14; Mk.
16:9)
(2) To several women (Matt. 28:9-10)
(3) To Peter (Lk. 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5)
(4) To the two on Emmaus Road (Lk.
24:13-33, 43)
(5) To ten apostles [without Thomas] (Lk.
24:36 43; Jn. 20:19-24)
(6) To eleven apostles (Jn. 20:26-29)
(7) To seven at Tiberias Lake (Jn.
21:1-23)
(8) To eleven at Great Commission (Matt.
28; Mk. 16)
(9) To over 500 brethren (1 Cor. 16:6)
(10) To James (1 Cor. 15:7)
(11) To the apostles at the Ascension
(Acts 1:3-12)
(12) To Paul (Acts 9;22;26; 1 Cor. 15:8)
The court should also acknowledge the
following summary statements about these appearances (Acts 1:8,22;
2:32; 3:15; 4:33; 5:22). Another naturalistic theory postulates that
these witnesses were merely suffering from hallucinations. Yet this,
too, goes against modern psychiatric research which concludes that two
or more people cannot share a common hallucination. Eight of these
twelve post-resurrection appearances were witnesses by more than one
party. Also, the psychological preconditions for hallucinations are
lacking. Another important point to notice, ladies and gentlemen, is the
nature of these appearances. The record will show that these witnesses
made use of three empirical faculties in witnessing to these
appearances: sight, sound and touch. Both Mary and Thomas touched Jesus'
resuscitated body (see 1 John 1:1-2). Not to mention the fact
that Jesus ate and digested food with his disciples on at least four
difference occasions (see + above)! Let me ask you once again, have you
reached a verdict?
Fact Three: Disciples'
Remarkable Transformation
Perhaps the very first theory proposed
attempting to refute the reality of the resurrection is the Conspiracy
Theory (or Fraud Theory). This theory maintains that the disciples
allegedly stole the body, hid it and subsequently conspired to lie about
it. Yet this hypothesis, as all the others, does not stand the test of
even the most simple examination. Given the facts of the case, it is
highly unlikely that anybody stole the body. In the first place, the
Jews made careful precautions to prevent the success of possible
body-snatchers (Matt. 27:62-66). Secondly, the Roman guard
assigned to secure the tomb also witnessed the events of that
resurrection morning (Matt. 28:11-15). Notice that the chief
priests of the Jews bribed the soldiers to lie and guaranteed their
safety should the Roman governor hear about it (Matt. 28:14).
In light of these historical facts, the
fraud theory falls flat! The burden of proof rests upon the prosecution:
those who would defame the character of these outstanding witnesses and
deny the gospel claim of Jesus' resurrection. Would liars become
martyrs? The New Testament records the subsequent suffering and death of
many of these early witnesses (Acts 4:13,19-20; 5:28-32,40-2; 7:57f;
8:1-3; 12:2; Jn. 21:19; Rev. 1:9). No naturalistic theory accounts
for the utter and remarkable transformation of these whiny, wimpy
disciples into bold proclaimers of the risen Christ. The only reasonable
explanation of this fact is that these men and women actually had seen,
heard and touched the risen Jesus (see 1 Jn. 1:1-2). Suffering,
shame or even death did not matter to them.
Although by now the truth must be most
apparent to you, let us proceed to the fourth fact (which readily
expands on the third fact).
Fact Four: The
Experience of Paul
You have been most kind to listen to three
lines of evidence for the bodily resurrection of Jesus. I will but
mention one more. The conversion of Saul of Tarsus began with a
well-documented appearance of Jesus on the road from Jerusalem to
Damascus (Acts 9, 22 and 26). Here we find a most zealous
Pharisee engaging in an expanding persecution of the Christian movement
when he, too, encounters Christ. Paul first relates this experience to
the Galatians (1:16-18) and later testifies to the Corinthians
(15:3-8).
You will remember, ladies and gentlemen of
the jury, that Paul suffered terrible things for this cause (2 Cor.
11, cf. extra-biblical sources report that he was beheaded for his
testimony; see also 2 Tim. 4:6-8). Why did this man change? What
motivated this remarkable transformation of life? Only a literal
resurrection can account for the conversion of Saul of Tarsus to the
Apostle Paul.
Conclusion
While we could explore the evidences of the
Christian community [the church], the monuments of the Lord's day, the
Lord's supper, baptism and the Bible itself, we have focused our
attention on only four facts. These four historical realities are
conclusive evidences for the resurrection. Nevertheless, the decision is
yours, ladies and gentlemen. Have you reached a verdict?
Guardian of Truth - April 4, 1991
Other Articles
How to Avoid a Divorce
Those "Other" Sinners
The Eternal Value of
not Giving Up
Just Wad it Up and Start
Over
Time to Panic?
Three Cost of Leadership and
Influence
- Caffin,
B.C. (1950), II Peter – Pulpit Commentary, H.D.M. Spence
and Joseph Exell, eds. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans).
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