The Descent of Ishtar to The Descent of Ishtar to the Underworldthe Underworld::

““On the day when On the day when Dumuzi (Tammuz) Dumuzi (Tammuz) comes back upcomes back up, (and) the lapis lazuli , (and) the lapis lazuli pipe and the carnelian ring come up pipe and the carnelian ring come up with him, (When) male and female with him, (When) male and female mourners come up with him, mourners come up with him, the the dead shall come updead shall come up and smell the and smell the smoke offering.”—smoke offering.”—Myths From Myths From MesopotamiaMesopotamia, trans. Stephanie , trans. Stephanie Dalley (New York: Oxford University Dalley (New York: Oxford University Press, 2000), 160.Press, 2000), 160.

The Descent of Ishtar to the The Descent of Ishtar to the UnderworldUnderworld

““The Akkadian story is first attested The Akkadian story is first attested in Late Bronze Age texts, in both in Late Bronze Age texts, in both Babylonia and Assyria, and later from Babylonia and Assyria, and later from the palace library at Nineveh.”—the palace library at Nineveh.”—Myths From MesopotamiaMyths From Mesopotamia, 154., 154.

The Descent of InannaThe Descent of Inanna

““The Sumerian version, The Sumerian version, The Descent The Descent of Inannaof Inanna, is attested earlier, and is , is attested earlier, and is much longer, consisting of some 410 much longer, consisting of some 410 lines.lines.

It is a fuller, more detailed account, It is a fuller, more detailed account, and shows clearly that Dumuzi and shows clearly that Dumuzi periodically died and rose, causing periodically died and rose, causing seasonal fertility, a fact…seasonal fertility, a fact…

The Descent of InannaThe Descent of Inanna

… …which had been doubted until which had been doubted until 1963, when a newly published 1963, when a newly published fragment disclosed the crucial fragment disclosed the crucial evidence.”—evidence.”—Myths From Myths From MesopotamiaMesopotamia, 154., 154.

Conclusion:Conclusion:

There was at least one pre-Christian There was at least one pre-Christian myth of a deity that purportedly myth of a deity that purportedly returned from the dead.returned from the dead.

Is Jesus’s Resurrection a Myth, Is Jesus’s Resurrection a Myth, Too?Too?

The Case for EasterThe Case for Easter

Historical Method Tools:Historical Method Tools:

Multiple independent sourcesMultiple independent sources Enemy attestationEnemy attestation Principle of embarrassmentPrinciple of embarrassment Early testimonyEarly testimony Eyewitness testimonyEyewitness testimony

The “Minimal Data” The “Minimal Data” Approach:Approach:

This approach does not rest upon the This approach does not rest upon the trustworthiness of the New Testament trustworthiness of the New Testament gospels’ resurrection accounts.gospels’ resurrection accounts.

This approach rests upon data that are This approach rests upon data that are granted by virtually all New Testament granted by virtually all New Testament critics—even the skeptical scholars.critics—even the skeptical scholars.

This data is also well-evidenced.This data is also well-evidenced.

3 Main Points:3 Main Points:

Jesus’s death by crucifixionJesus’s death by crucifixion Jesus’s disciples sincerely believed Jesus’s disciples sincerely believed

Jesus appeared to them.Jesus appeared to them. Paul’s conversionPaul’s conversion

1. Jesus Died by Crucifixion:1. Jesus Died by Crucifixion:

Ancient Christian sourcesAncient Christian sources Ancient Non-Christian SourcesAncient Non-Christian Sources Philosophical ArgumentPhilosophical Argument

1 Corinthians 1:231 Corinthians 1:23

““But we proclaim But we proclaim Christ crucifiedChrist crucified, a , a stumbling-block to Jews and stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles…” foolishness to Gentiles…”

1 Corinthians 15:31 Corinthians 15:3

““Christ diedChrist died for our sins in for our sins in accordance with the scriptures.” accordance with the scriptures.”

Philippians 2:8Philippians 2:8

““He humbled himselfHe humbled himself   and became obedient to the point    and became obedient to the point of death—of death—   even    even death on a crossdeath on a cross.” .”

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Matthew, Mark, Luke, and JohnJohn

All four first century gospels teach All four first century gospels teach that Jesus died on the cross (Matthew that Jesus died on the cross (Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30).19:30).

Josephus, a 1Josephus, a 1stst Century Century C.E. Jewish Historian, C.E. Jewish Historian,

Writes:Writes: ““At this time there was a wise man At this time there was a wise man

who was called Jesus, and his who was called Jesus, and his conduct was good, and he was conduct was good, and he was known to be virtuous. And many known to be virtuous. And many people from among the Jews and people from among the Jews and the other nations became his the other nations became his disciples. disciples. Pilate condemned him to Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die…be crucified and to die…

Josephus Continued:Josephus Continued:

……And those who had become his And those who had become his disciples did not abandon their disciples did not abandon their loyalty to himloyalty to him and the tribe of and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this daynot extinct at this day.”.”

——Antiquities of the Jews Antiquities of the Jews 18.3.318.3.3

Tacitus, a Roman Historian Tacitus, a Roman Historian (early 2nd-century), Writes:(early 2nd-century), Writes:

"Nero fastened the guilt [of the "Nero fastened the guilt [of the burning of Rome] and inflicted the burning of Rome] and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered…had its origin, suffered…

Tacitus, the Roman Historian Tacitus, the Roman Historian (early 2nd-century), Continues:(early 2nd-century), Continues:

……the extreme penalty during the the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius one of our procurators, Pontius Pilate.”Pilate.”

——AnnalsAnnals 15:44 15:44

Philosophical Argument:Philosophical Argument:

The virulent critique of atheistic The virulent critique of atheistic philosopher, David Strauss, over a century philosopher, David Strauss, over a century ago, has been the chief reason persuading ago, has been the chief reason persuading scholars that Jesus died by crucifixion.—scholars that Jesus died by crucifixion.—David F. Strauss, David F. Strauss, A New Life of Jesus. 2A New Life of Jesus. 2ndnd EditionEdition (London: Williams and Norgate, (London: Williams and Norgate, 1879), 1:408-12.1879), 1:408-12.

Strauss Argued:Strauss Argued: A crucified but still-living Jesus would A crucified but still-living Jesus would

have been in horrible physical shape: have been in horrible physical shape: bloodied, bruised, pale, limping, bloodied, bruised, pale, limping, unwashed, and in obvious need of unwashed, and in obvious need of medical assistance. medical assistance.

Such a condition would have hopelessly Such a condition would have hopelessly contradicted the disciples’ belief that contradicted the disciples’ belief that Jesus had appeared to them in a glorious, Jesus had appeared to them in a glorious, resurrected body. resurrected body.

Strauss Continued:Strauss Continued:

Jesus would have been alive, but not Jesus would have been alive, but not raised!raised!

The frequently repeated New The frequently repeated New Testament teaching that believers Testament teaching that believers would someday be gloriously raised would someday be gloriously raised just like Jesus would be groundless.just like Jesus would be groundless.

Such a sickly body would hardly be Such a sickly body would hardly be an inspiration for theology.an inspiration for theology.

2. Appearances to Friends:2. Appearances to Friends:

The disciples claimed Jesus appeared The disciples claimed Jesus appeared to them.to them.

PPaulaul OOral Traditionral Tradition WWritten Traditionritten Tradition

Paul:Paul: ““For I am the least of the apostles and do not For I am the least of the apostles and do not

even deserve to be called an apostle, even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preachwe preach, and this is what you believed.”—1 , and this is what you believed.”—1 Corinthians 15:9-11:Corinthians 15:9-11:

Galatians 2:7-10:Galatians 2:7-10:

““On the contrary, On the contrary, they saw that I had they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jewsjust as Peter had been to the Jews. . For God, who was at work in the For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles… as an apostle to the Gentiles…

Galatians 2:7-10 Continued:Galatians 2:7-10 Continued:

James, Peter and JohnJames, Peter and John, those reputed to , those reputed to be pillars, be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowshipright hand of fellowship when they when they recognized the grace given to me. They recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they Gentiles, and they to the Jews. All they asked was that we should continue to asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”was eager to do.”

Paul’s Authority:Paul’s Authority:

Claimed by Paul (2 Cor. 10:8; 11:5; Claimed by Paul (2 Cor. 10:8; 11:5; 13:10; 1 Thess. 2:6; 4:2; 2 Thess. 13:10; 1 Thess. 2:6; 4:2; 2 Thess. 3:4; Philemon 1:21)3:4; Philemon 1:21)

Acknowledged by Apostolic Fathers Acknowledged by Apostolic Fathers (Clement of Rome [1 Clem. 5:3-5], (Clement of Rome [1 Clem. 5:3-5], Polycarp [Pol. Phil.3:2;12:1], Ignatius Polycarp [Pol. Phil.3:2;12:1], Ignatius [Ign. Rom. 4:3])[Ign. Rom. 4:3])

Oral Tradition: Oral Tradition:

Early Creed: 1 Corinthians 15:3-5Early Creed: 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Early Creed (1 Corinthians Early Creed (1 Corinthians 15:3-5):15:3-5):

““For I handed on to you as of first For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: importance what I in turn had received: that that Christ diedChrist died for our sins in for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and accordance with the scriptures, and that that he was buriedhe was buried, and that , and that he was he was raisedraised on the third day in accordance on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that with the scriptures, and that he he appeared to Cephas [Peter]appeared to Cephas [Peter], then , then to to the twelvethe twelve.” .”

John Dominic Crossan, Co-John Dominic Crossan, Co-Founder of the Jesus Seminar, Founder of the Jesus Seminar,

Writes:Writes: ““PaulPaul  wrote to the Corinthians from wrote to the Corinthians from

Ephesus in the early 50s C.E. But Ephesus in the early 50s C.E. But he says in 1 Corinthians 15:3 that “I he says in 1 Corinthians 15:3 that “I handed on to you as of first handed on to you as of first importance which I in turn importance which I in turn receivedreceived.”.”  The most likely source The most likely source and time for his reception of that and time for his reception of that tradition… tradition… 

Crossan Continues:Crossan Continues:

……would have been Jerusalem would have been Jerusalem in the early in the early 30s30s when, according to Galatians 1:18, when, according to Galatians 1:18, he he “went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas “went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas [Peter] [Peter] and stayed with him fifteen daysand stayed with him fifteen days.”.”

—John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. —John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Reed, Excavating Jesus: Beneath the Excavating Jesus: Beneath the Stones, Behind the TextsStones, Behind the Texts (New York: (New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001), 254.HarperSanFrancisco, 2001), 254.

James Tabor Reports:James Tabor Reports:

““In the course of defending his own In the course of defending his own vision of Jesus, Paul reports that vision of Jesus, Paul reports that he he had received the tradition and had received the tradition and passed it onpassed it on to his converts that to his converts that Jesus died, was buried, and rose on Jesus died, was buried, and rose on the ‘third day’”—James Tabor, the ‘third day’”—James Tabor, The The Jesus DynastyJesus Dynasty, 231., 231.

Why Do Many Scholars Why Do Many Scholars Believe It’s a Creed?Believe It’s a Creed?

““Delivered” and “received” are Jewish Delivered” and “received” are Jewish terms for passing on traditions.terms for passing on traditions.

Text’s content is stylized, containing Text’s content is stylized, containing parallelismsparallelisms

Non-Pauline termsNon-Pauline terms Fourfold use of the Greek term Fourfold use of the Greek term hotihoti is is

common in creeds.common in creeds.

1 Corinthians 15:3-5:1 Corinthians 15:3-5:

Date of Creed:Date of Creed:

Crucifixion ~ 30 C.E.Crucifixion ~ 30 C.E. Paul’s conversion ~ 31-33 C.E.Paul’s conversion ~ 31-33 C.E. Paul goes away for three years after Paul goes away for three years after

his conversion, then visits Peter and his conversion, then visits Peter and James in Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18-19). James in Jerusalem (Gal. 1:18-19).

Most scholars believe that Paul Most scholars believe that Paul received the creed from them at this received the creed from them at this time.time.

Date of Creed:Date of Creed:

The other option is that he received it The other option is that he received it in Damascus at his conversion (three in Damascus at his conversion (three years earlier). Either way he probably years earlier). Either way he probably received it within two to five years of received it within two to five years of Jesus’s crucifixion (which places the Jesus’s crucifixion (which places the origin of the creed even earlier) from origin of the creed even earlier) from someone whom he, as an apostle, someone whom he, as an apostle, deemed to be a trustworthy source.deemed to be a trustworthy source.

Date of Creed:Date of Creed:

The very latest dating of the creed would The very latest dating of the creed would be prior to A.D. 51, since Paul writes that be prior to A.D. 51, since Paul writes that what he had received, he delivered to what he had received, he delivered to them while visiting Corinth (1 Cor. 15:3), them while visiting Corinth (1 Cor. 15:3), which scholars date to around A.D. 51. which scholars date to around A.D. 51.

So Paul had the creedal information prior So Paul had the creedal information prior to that time and received it still earlier to that time and received it still earlier from a source he considered trustworthy.from a source he considered trustworthy.

Significance:Significance:

Early eyewitness testimony to Jesus’s Early eyewitness testimony to Jesus’s resurrection appearancesresurrection appearances

Multiple appearances: Cephas Multiple appearances: Cephas (Peter), the Twelve(Peter), the Twelve

Written Tradition:Written Tradition:

All four GospelsAll four Gospels Apostolic Fathers:Apostolic Fathers:

Clement of Rome (A.D. 95, 1 Clem. 42:3)Clement of Rome (A.D. 95, 1 Clem. 42:3) Polycarp (A.D. 110, Pol. Phil. 9:2)Polycarp (A.D. 110, Pol. Phil. 9:2)

1 Clement 42:31 Clement 42:3

““The apostles have preached the The apostles have preached the gospel to us from the Lord Jesus gospel to us from the Lord Jesus ChristChrist; Jesus Christ [has done so] ; Jesus Christ [has done so] from God. Christ therefore was from God. Christ therefore was sent forth by God, and the sent forth by God, and the apostles by Christ…apostles by Christ…

1 Clement 42:3 Continued1 Clement 42:3 Continued

……Both these appointments, then, Both these appointments, then, were made in an orderly way, were made in an orderly way, according to the will of God. Having according to the will of God. Having therefore received their orders, and therefore received their orders, and being fully assured by the being fully assured by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus resurrection of our Lord Jesus ChristChrist….”….”

Polycarp’s Epistle to the Polycarp’s Epistle to the Philippians:Philippians:

““I exhort you all, therefore, to yield I exhort you all, therefore, to yield obedience to the word of obedience to the word of righteousness, and to exercise all righteousness, and to exercise all patience, such as you have seen [set] patience, such as you have seen [set] before your eyes, not only in the case before your eyes, not only in the case of the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, of the blessed Ignatius, and Zosimus, and Rufus, but also in others among and Rufus, but also in others among yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the yourselves, and in Paul himself, and the rest of the apostles… rest of the apostles…

Epistle to the Philippians Epistle to the Philippians Continued:Continued:

[This do] in the assurance that all these [This do] in the assurance that all these have not run in vain, but in faith and have not run in vain, but in faith and righteousness, and that they are [now] righteousness, and that they are [now] in their due place in the presence of the in their due place in the presence of the Lord, with whom also Lord, with whom also they sufferedthey suffered. For . For they loved not this present world, they loved not this present world, but but Him who died for us, and for our sakes Him who died for us, and for our sakes was raised again by God from the was raised again by God from the deaddead.”– 9:2.”– 9:2

They Believed It:They Believed It:

They were willing to suffer & die for They were willing to suffer & die for their claims.their claims.

7 ancient sources testify to this7 ancient sources testify to this (Acts, Clement of Rome, Polycarp, (Acts, Clement of Rome, Polycarp, Ignatius, Dionysius of Corinth, Ignatius, Dionysius of Corinth, Tertullian, and Origen).Tertullian, and Origen).

So What?So What?

Nobody doubts a Muslim terrorist’s Nobody doubts a Muslim terrorist’s sincerity who blows himself up.sincerity who blows himself up.

What is the difference between the What is the difference between the Muslim suicide bombers’ and Jesus’s Muslim suicide bombers’ and Jesus’s disciples’ deaths?disciples’ deaths?

Who Would Die For a Known Who Would Die For a Known Lie?Lie?

Modern martyrs perish only on the basis Modern martyrs perish only on the basis of their of their belief in what othersbelief in what others within a within a religious movement have taught them.religious movement have taught them.

The apostles, however, were the The apostles, however, were the founders of the Christian movement.founders of the Christian movement.

This means they suffered and died for This means they suffered and died for what they what they knewknew to be either true or to be either true or false.false.

Who would die for a known lie?Who would die for a known lie?

Bart Ehrman Relays:Bart Ehrman Relays:

““It is a historical factIt is a historical fact that some of that some of Jesus’s followers came to believe that Jesus’s followers came to believe that he had been raised from the dead he had been raised from the dead soon after his execution.” – Bart D. soon after his execution.” – Bart D. Ehrman, Ehrman, The New Testament: A The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. Fourth EditionChristian Writings. Fourth Edition (Oxford University Press, 2008), 282.(Oxford University Press, 2008), 282.

Appearance To an EnemyAppearance To an Enemy

PaulPaul

Paul:Paul:

Paul wrote that while an enemy of Paul wrote that while an enemy of Jesus, he saw Him risen (Galatians Jesus, he saw Him risen (Galatians 1:13, 16, and this is corroborated by 1:13, 16, and this is corroborated by Luke in Luke in ActsActs 9, 22, 26). 9, 22, 26).

Paul writes, “Last of all, as to Paul writes, “Last of all, as to someone untimely born, someone untimely born, he appeared he appeared also to mealso to me.”—1 Corinthians 15:8 .”—1 Corinthians 15:8

Paul’s SufferingPaul’s Suffering

““Five times I have received from the Jews Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers.”—2 sea, danger from false brothers.”—2 Corinthians 11:24-26 Corinthians 11:24-26

Paul’s Martyrdom:Paul’s Martyrdom: ““Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the Owing to envy, Paul also obtained the

reward of patient endurance, after being reward of patient endurance, after being seven times thrown into captivity, seven times thrown into captivity, compelled to flee, and stoned. After compelled to flee, and stoned. After preaching both in the east and west, he preaching both in the east and west, he gained the illustrious reputation due to his gained the illustrious reputation due to his faith, having taught righteousness to the faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world, and come to the extreme limit whole world, and come to the extreme limit of the west, and of the west, and suffered martyrdom under suffered martyrdom under the prefectsthe prefects.”— Clement of Rome (1 .”— Clement of Rome (1 Clement 5)Clement 5)

Paul’s Suffering and Paul’s Suffering and MartyrdomMartyrdom

Seven ancient sources (Paul, Luke, Seven ancient sources (Paul, Luke, Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Dionysius, Tertullian) testify to Paul’s Dionysius, Tertullian) testify to Paul’s sufferings and martyrdom.sufferings and martyrdom.

This data confirms the sincerity of his This data confirms the sincerity of his faith.faith.

Arguments For The Empty Arguments For The Empty Tomb:Tomb:

JJerusalem Factorerusalem Factor EEnemy Attestationnemy Attestation TTestimony of Womenestimony of Women

Jerusalem Factor:Jerusalem Factor:

The disciples claimed that Jesus rose from The disciples claimed that Jesus rose from the dead and that His body was gone. the dead and that His body was gone.

It would have been impossible for It would have been impossible for Christianity to succeed in the beginning if Christianity to succeed in the beginning if the body was available for examination. the body was available for examination.

The authorities only needed to exhume The authorities only needed to exhume the body and the scandal would have the body and the scandal would have been over.been over.

Enemy Attestation:Enemy Attestation:

The Jewish authorities were claiming The Jewish authorities were claiming the disciples stole the body the disciples stole the body (Matthew, Justin, Tertullian).(Matthew, Justin, Tertullian).

They wouldn’t claim this if the body They wouldn’t claim this if the body was still in the tomb.was still in the tomb.

Dialogue With TryphoDialogue With Trypho Chapter Chapter 108:108:

“…“…yet you not only have yet you not only have not repented, after you learned that not repented, after you learned that He rose from the dead, but, as I said He rose from the dead, but, as I said before you have sent chosen before you have sent chosen and ordained men throughout all the and ordained men throughout all the world to proclaim that a godless and world to proclaim that a godless and lawless heresy had sprung from one lawless heresy had sprung from one Jesus, a Galilean… Jesus, a Galilean…

Justin Continues:Justin Continues:

……deceiver, whom we crucified, but deceiver, whom we crucified, but his disciples stole him by night from his disciples stole him by night from the tombthe tomb, where he was laid , where he was laid when unfastened from the cross, and when unfastened from the cross, and now deceive men by asserting that now deceive men by asserting that he has risen from the dead he has risen from the dead and ascended to heaven.” and ascended to heaven.” 

Testimony of Women in the Testimony of Women in the First Century First Century

““From women let no evidence be From women let no evidence be accepted, because of the levity and accepted, because of the levity and temerity of their sex.”—Josephus, temerity of their sex.”—Josephus, Antiquities of the JewsAntiquities of the Jews 4.8.15 4.8.15

Dale Allison Writes:Dale Allison Writes:

““Although Josephus’s comment is Although Josephus’s comment is about the court room, the about the court room, the implications are broader, for the implications are broader, for the justification for the ruling—women justification for the ruling—women are victims of levity and temerity—are victims of levity and temerity—expresses an attitude many first-expresses an attitude many first-century Jewish males presumably century Jewish males presumably held (cf. Philo, held (cf. Philo, QG QG 5.15)…5.15)…

Allison Continues:Allison Continues:

……Surely adherents of Jesus were not Surely adherents of Jesus were not helping themselveshelping themselves when they when they admitted that women were the only admitted that women were the only firsthand human witnesses to some of firsthand human witnesses to some of the events of Easter morning.”—Dale C. the events of Easter morning.”—Dale C. Allison, Allison, Resurrecting Jesus: The Earliest Resurrecting Jesus: The Earliest Christian Tradition and Its InterpretersChristian Tradition and Its Interpreters (New York, London: T&T Clark, 2005), (New York, London: T&T Clark, 2005), 328, 329.328, 329.

Testimony of WomenTestimony of Women

It’s highly unlikely that Christians It’s highly unlikely that Christians would fabricate a story already would fabricate a story already difficult to believe such as Jesus’ difficult to believe such as Jesus’ resurrection and present women as resurrection and present women as the primary witnesses to the empty the primary witnesses to the empty tomb. tomb.

Conclusions:Conclusions:

The resurrection was not a legend that The resurrection was not a legend that developed over time, because the claim developed over time, because the claim that Jesus rose from the dead can be that Jesus rose from the dead can be traced back to the original disciples.traced back to the original disciples.

The resurrection was not an intentional lie The resurrection was not an intentional lie posited by the disciples, since it can be posited by the disciples, since it can be reasonably established that they really reasonably established that they really believed that Jesus rose and appeared to believed that Jesus rose and appeared to them.them.

Tryggve Mettinger Reports:Tryggve Mettinger Reports:

““There is, as far as I am aware, no There is, as far as I am aware, no prima facie evidence that the death prima facie evidence that the death and resurrection of Jesus is a and resurrection of Jesus is a mythological construct, drawing on mythological construct, drawing on the myths and rites of the dying and the myths and rites of the dying and rising gods of the surrounding rising gods of the surrounding world….world….

Mettinger Continues:Mettinger Continues:

……While studied with profit against the While studied with profit against the background of Jewish resurrection background of Jewish resurrection belief, the faith in the death and belief, the faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus retains its unique resurrection of Jesus retains its unique character in the history of religions. The character in the history of religions. The riddle remains.”—Tryggve N.D. riddle remains.”—Tryggve N.D. Mettinger, Mettinger, The Riddle of Resurrection: The Riddle of Resurrection: “Dying and Rising Gods” in the Ancient “Dying and Rising Gods” in the Ancient Near EastNear East (Almqvist & Wiksell (Almqvist & Wiksell International, 2001), 221.International, 2001), 221.

1. The sincere beliefs of the disciples 1. The sincere beliefs of the disciples and Paul that Jesus appeared to them.and Paul that Jesus appeared to them.

++

2. Alternative theories’ failure to 2. Alternative theories’ failure to account for all of the data.account for all of the data.

==

ResurrectionResurrection

Recommended Resources:Recommended Resources:

Habermas, Gary and Michael R. Licona. Habermas, Gary and Michael R. Licona. The The Case for the Resurrection of JesusCase for the Resurrection of Jesus. Grand . Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004.2004.

Licona, Michael R. Licona, Michael R. The Resurrection of The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical ApproachJesus: A New Historiographical Approach. . Nottingham, England: Apollos/ Downers Nottingham, England: Apollos/ Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2010. Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2010.