The Resurrection of Christ: An Evidential Case. Introduction

Transcription

1 The Resurrection of Christ: An Evidential Case Student Name: Mike West Student Number: CSAP-Independent Study Spring 2010-Lewis Word Count-12,025 not counting footnotes Introduction The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15: points out the importance of the resurrection for Christianity advocating that if the resurrection is not a fact, then any belief in Christianity is useless. 1 Paul writes the following, 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. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. Building on this contention of importance, this paper will seek to lay out an evidential case for the truth of the resurrection. Once the standard of proof which will be used is explained, I will proceed to present the evidence which supports the truth of the resurrection. Once the evidence is 1 David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 18, 21,27.; William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truths and Apologetics, 3 rd ed. (Illinois: Crossway Books, 2008), 333.; Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope (Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003), introduction-8-12.; Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004), ; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), introduction-19.; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004),

2 examined and evaluated the resurrection claims of Christianity will be validated. 2 I will begin by offering the method or standard of proof which will be used in making this case. I. Method of Proof A. Legal When one is attempting to build an evidential case to prove a contention, it is important that he establish the method he will use in proving his case. In reviewing the proof for the resurrection, the standard that will be used is the legal standard proof. 3 One might ask why this standard as opposed to other standards which one could employ. 4 There are several reasons for choosing this standard. John Warwick Montgomery and Ross Clifford point out that Christianity is a religion that makes specific, historical truth claims and such claims can be investigated. 5 Ross Clifford states, Lawyers, unlike philosophers and theologians, have the skills to assess the reliability of documents such as the ones in which Jesus story is told. Daily they are called on to sift evidence. They are a voice to be listened to as we try and decide on the reliability of the Jesus story and his claims about the ultimate questions of life. 6 2 Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004), John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), introduction ; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 67, Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), introduction- 11.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), introduction

3 Lawyer and theologian, John Warwick Montgomery points out that the legal standard is used to settle disputes in civilized societies and thus, one would find it difficult to dismiss findings which came out of using such a standard simply because he does not like the implications which come out of the use of such a standard. 7 Montgomery also points out that this type of judicial style reasoning is being used in the fields of philosophy and theology. 8 Using this type of standard allows that proof will be by preponderance of evidence, clear and convincing evidence, and beyond reasonable doubt rather than requiring an unreasonable standard such as proof beyond any doubt. 9 Thus, the legal standard does not provide absolute certainty in its ability to determine the truth, but provides the facts based on high probability as supported by the evidence. 10 This is a reasonable standard and allows any decision about the matter under consideration to be guided by the evidence and avoids arguing against such findings based solely on absurd possibilities. 11 Montgomery s summary of this position, although lengthy, is particularly helpful. He writes, Can we base ultimates (Jesus deity, a commitment to him for time and eternity) on mere probabilities? The analytical philosophers have shown that we have no other choice: only formal (analytic) truths (e.g. the propositions of deductive logic and of pure mathematics) 7 John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Ibid. 9 Motimer J. Adler, How to Think About God (New York: McMillan, 1980), 150 quoted in John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), ; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), introduction-13.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 92. 3

4 can be demonstrated absolutely-and the absoluteness here is due to their axiomatic foundations, as with Euclid s geometry. All matters of fact (synthetic assertions) are limited to probabilistic confirmation, but this does not immobilize us in daily life. We still put our lives in jeopardy everyday on the basis of probability judgments (crossing the street, consuming packaged foods and drugs, flying in airplanes etc.). And the law in every land redistributes property and takes away liberty (if not life) by verdicts and judgments rooted in the examination of evidence and probabilistic standards of proof. 12 The legal standard is similar to the standard employed by historians when they investigate and try and determine the facts of history, and some even go as far as to subscribe to the use of preponderance of evidence and reasonable doubt standards used in the legal proceedings. 13 As such, a failure to properly review, analyze, and to decide a matter under consideration based upon evidence is to commit intellectual suicide and be intellectually dishonest. 14 II. Evidence Supporting the Resurrection of Christ A. Brief Case for the Historical Reliability of the New Testament 1. Comparison with other Historical Documents Much has been written concerning the reliability of the New Testament. Although such evidence exists and one can formulate a comprehensive case for the historical reliability of the New Testament, such a comprehensive defense is not the focus of this paper. Thus neither space nor scope allow for a complete and comprehensive case to be developed here. However, a brief overview is an appropriate piece of evidence to the comprehensive case for the resurrection 12 John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truths and Apologetics, 3 rd ed. (Illinois: Crossway Books, 2008), 360.; Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope (Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003), 4,8.; Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), introduction-13. 4

5 which is the focus here. Despite evidence to support scriptural inerrancy and infallibility, one does not have to have to address these issues as the evidence that will be presented is sufficient to support the historical reliability of scripture. 15 This approach to defending New Testament reliability is used by various scholars who believe in inerrancy and infallibility. For purposes of their investigation, they simply treat scripture like any other ancient book of ancient literature, book in antiquity, or any other historical materials. 16 Accordingly, the New Testament writings are unique in reference to the sheer number of manuscripts. 17 Scholars point out that there are thousands of New Testament manuscripts. 18 This is a very important fact because when one looks at other ancient, historical documents which are accepted as historical, he will find the number of transcripts for those documents to be much less than the number of manuscripts for the New Testament David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 52.; Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004), 45,51.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 25.; Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007), Ibid. 17 Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 32.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 27.; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), 54.; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), 22.; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), 92.; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007), Ibid. 19 Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 32, 34.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 28.; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), 22.; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith 5

6 The number of New Testament manuscripts is also important because when the numerous manuscripts are compared, such comparison allows one to determine the content of the original autographs and demonstrates that the manuscripts are accurate and reliable Time between the Originals and Copies Another important factor which bolsters New Testament reliability is the length of time between the writing of the original autographs and the manuscript copies. Most scholars date the writing of the gospels from A.D. 21 The length of time between such writing and Jesus is very short and ensures that what was reported in the gospels about Jesus was in fact correct. 22 Additionally, Paul s writings are dated in the 50s A.D. 23 Manuscript copies of the New Testament writings began to appear very shortly thereafter. 24 When one looks at the time frame between the autographs and the manuscript copies of the New Testament and compares such with other historical documents and their manuscript copies, he will find that the gap between the New Testament writings and its manuscripts to be far less than the gap between other historical Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), 92.; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), 93.; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ibid., Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), ; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), ; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), 55.; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), 22.; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 59,

7 documents and their manuscript copies. 25 Such a short time span between the New Testament autographs and the manuscript copies supports historical reliability Internal, External Evidence, and the Nature of the Information Reported in Scripture Clifford and Montgomery advocate that when looking at the New Testament writings one must accept what they claim to be until something calls into question such claims. 27 The writers of the New Testament represent that what they are writing is either eyewitness testimony, or the record of what eyewitnesses related to the writer. 28 It is clear that the goal of the writers was 25 Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), ; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), ; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), 55.; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), 22.; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 35.; Frederick G. Kenyon, The Bible and Archaeology (New York and London: Harper and Row, 1940), quoted in John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 27; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), 55.; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), ; Sir Frederick Kenyon The Bible and Archaeology (New York: Harper and Brothers, 1940), quoted in Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 63.; F.F. Bruce The Books and Parchments (New Jersey: Revell, 1963), 178 quoted in Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 63.; Frederick Kenyon Handbook to the Textual Criticism of the New Testament (New York: MacMillan, 1912), 5 quoted in Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 63.; Frederick Kenyon The Bible and Archaeology (New York: Harper, 1940), 288 quoted in Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996),24, 35.; John Warwick Montgomery History and Christianity, 29 quoted in Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 35.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 35.; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), 23.; John 7

8 to report accurate history when they wrote the New Testament. 29 Clifford advocates that these writings are primary source material and would be deemed to be most trustworthy. 30 Montgomery points out that these writings affirms eyewitness contact with Jesus. 31 Hanegraaff points out that the reliability of scripture is also confirmed through the eyewitness credentials of the authors. 32 Craig Blomberg in Strobel s The Case for Christ describes the writings in the following manner, Luke is clearly saying he intended to write accurately about the things he investigated and found to be well-supported by witnesses It s true that Mark and Matthew don t have this kind of explicit statement However, they are close to Luke in terms of genre, and it seems reasonable that Luke s historical intent would closely mirror theirs. 33 An additional fact that supports New Testament reliability is the lack of the presence of legendary components in the writing. 34 The time between Jesus life and the dating of the writing Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 28, ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), 96, 97, ,110. Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), ; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), 23.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 28-29, ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), William Lane Craig, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead, in Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus, eds. Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland (Michigan: Zondervan, 1995), ;Kenneth 8

9 of the New Testament documents makes the contention that the writings are legendary very unlikely. 35 There is just not enough time for wholesale legend to have developed and totally invaded the New Testament writings, and had such developed, it would have been corrected by hostile witnesses and non-hostile witnesses. 36 Furthermore, the writings themselves do not exhibit legendary characteristics. 37 In the Case for Christ, Blomberg describes the gospels in the following manner, Consider the way the gospels are written-in a sober and responsible fashion, with accurate incidental details, with obvious care and exactitude. You don t find the outlandish flourishes and blatant mythologizing that you see in a lot of other ancient writings. 38 Theologian and philosopher Ken Samples describes the gospels in a similar fashion, they bear no resemblance either in style or in content to any other well-known examples of mythical writings biblical miracles are neither bizarre nor frivolous like those depicted in mythological literature Jesus miracles are always done with the context of his ministry, specifically to give glory to God and to meet legitimate human need. The historical and miraculous stand together side-by-side in the Gospels in a way distinctly different from mythological literature. 39 Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), 101.; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), William Lane Craig, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead, in Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus, eds. Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland (Michigan: Zondervan, 1995), 154.;Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), 100, 101,111.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), William Lane Craig, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead, in Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus, eds. Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland (Michigan: Zondervan, 1995), ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), 101.; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004),

10 The reliability of scripture is also supported by various non-biblical sources. What is claimed in the New Testament writings was confirmed by the church fathers. Clifford and Montgomery point out that Irenaeus, Papapias and the Muratorian Canon support traditional authorship of the New Testament writings. 40 Hanegraaff advocates that one finds support for the New Testament writings in the subsequent writings of Irenaeus, Tertullian, Julius Africanus, and Clement of Rome. 41 Clifford mentions the writings of Clement of Rome and the Epistle of Barnabas also have citations and quotes from several of the New Testament books. 42 Gary Habermas also points out that when one looks at the writings of Clement of Rome, Ignatius, Quadratus, Barnabas, and Justin Martyr one sees consistency in these writings with the contents of the New Testament writings about Jesus. 43 There are also secular sources which appear to support the reliability of the New Testament writings. Ross Clifford and Hank Hanegraaff mention that much of what is written in New Testament writings is confirmed by Josephus, Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, and Suetonius with Clifford also including the Jewish Talmud as another source that confirms New Testament writings. 44 Clifford specifically maintains, 40 Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 22-23, 36.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Hank Hanegraff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), ; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000),

11 From the Jewish and pagan sources I have listed, we learn the following facts about Jesus: He had a brother, James, he was called the Christ (Messiah), he was known to be a teacher, he was a doer of miracles, he had followers, he was not popular with the Jewish religious leaders, Pontius Pilate put him to death and this happened over Passover during the reign of Tiberius Caesar (AD 14-37), many believed he rose from the dead, Christianity spread quickly to Rome and often persecution followed. It is important to note that the above points are consistent with what the evangelists-matthew, Mark, Luke and John tell us about the Christ event. The external accounts of Christ confirm the Gospel story. 45 Theologians and philosophers Kenneth Samples and Gary Habermas also advocate that one can find references, which confirm much of what scriptures say about Christ in the writings of Tacitus, Suetonius, Josephus, Pliny the Younger, Talmud, Toledoth Jesu, Lucian, Thallus, Mara Bar-Serapion, and Phlegon with Habermas also mentioning some additional sources as well. 46 Samples describes the New Testament gospels in the following manner, Brief and, at times, cryptic statements about Jesus made by ancient non-christian authors do not prove the claims of the gospel. Yet nothing in them conflicts with what s recorded about Jesus in the Gospels. And these extra-biblical, historical sources are consistent with and confirm the historicity of the gospel message. 47 Historian Edwin Yamauchi also notes that one finds support for the historical reliability of the New Testament writings in Josephus, Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, Thallus via Julius Africanus, 45 Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), , , ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004),

12 Talmud, and Suetonius. 48 Yamauchi describes the New Testament writings in the following manner, On the whole, the gospels are excellent sources As a matter of fact, they re the most trustworthy, complete, and reliable sources for Jesus. The incidental sources really don t add much detailed information; however they are valuable as corroborative evidence. 49 B. The New Testament Writings Qualify as Evidence 1. Admissibility and Ancient Document Rule Attorneys and theologians Clifford Ross and John Warwick Montgomery argue that the New Testament writings are and would be deemed as admissible evidence in court. 50 Ross argues that the precedent outlined in Dallas County v. Union Assurance Company provides the basis for the admission of New Testament documents in court. 51 He notes in this case the court admitted a 50 year old newspaper article as evidence without requiring the writer to be present to testify to the contents of the article. 52 Ross points out that both the trial court and the federal appeals court found that such an admission was proper because the article was trustworthy, relevant, and material. 53 Ross stresses that, like the article, the New Testament writings also 48 Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), ; Edwin M. Yamauchi, Jesus Outside the New Testament: What is the Evidence, in Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus, eds. Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland (Michigan: Zondervan, 1995), Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), ; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), Ibid. 53 Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996),

13 qualify as the same type of good, reliable evidence and would be admitted. 54 Montgomery also argues that the New Testament documents are historically reliable evidence. 55 In addition to the Dallas County case cited by Clifford to provide for the admissibility of the New Testament writings in court, both Clifford and Montgomery argue that the New Testament writings would also be admitted under the ancient document rule. 56 They stress that proper custody of the New Testament writings can be established, and there is no evidence to support any contention of forgery or that they are faked and thus would be admitted. 57 Clifford goes on to explain that not only would the court admit the writings as historical, but would also admit the substance of the writings as long as the substance of the writings was provided by an eyewitness. 58 Clifford explains it in the following manner, It is those sections of the New Testament that were written by those four [Matthew, Peter, John, and Paul] and speak of their own observations that would be admissible Now, the other gospel testimony we listed is excellent historically and passes general legal principles. All I am saying is that in a technical sense the actual eyewitness observations of Matthew, Peter, John and Paul is the evidence a modern court would be interested in Ibid., John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 140.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Cananda: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 73, Ibid. 58 Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), Ibid.,

14 2. Testimony As noted and cited previously, the writers of the New Testament represented that what they were writing was either eyewitness testimony, or the record of what eyewitnesses related to the writer. 60 It is clear that the goal of the writers was to accurately report history when they wrote the New Testament. 61 When one evaluates such testimony by legal standards, he must give the benefit of the doubt to such unless there is a good reason not to do so. 62 Many argue there is no reason to reject this testimony. In addition to the eyewitness and intent to write accurate history arguments, when one examines the New Testament writers, he finds nothing which supports the contention that they should not be believed based upon some type of character flaw. 63 Clifford and Montgomery point out that the writers did not hide anything in their writings. 64 Second, the New Testament writers were fully capable of providing accurate 60 Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 35, 44.; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), 23.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 28, ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), 96, 97, Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), ; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), 23.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 28-29, ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 45,49.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 77.; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ibid. 14

15 information in their writings. 65 The writers recount specific details and events that occurred during Christ s life. 66 Some of the disciples, because of their professions, had the ability to write and to do so accurately. 67 One must also be aware of the oral culture in which the writers lived. 68 Living in such a culture one would have had the ability and would have memorized a great deal of information about Jesus especially when one remembers that a great deal of Jesus teachings was given in a manner that made memorization simple. 69 Additionally, in such a culture, the community would act as a guardian of the truth and promptly correct any major inconsistencies in the stories assuring what was orally repeated was correct, but also what was written later in the New Testament writings was also correct. 70 The writers also share their accounts in their own unique way and using their own writing style and such suggests there was no conspiracy between the writers. 71 The New Testament writers also had nothing to gain by 65 Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 45.; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 53., Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), ; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), 79.; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998),

16 making up these types of stories and stood to lose a great deal including their life for believing, preaching, and writing such things. 72 The New Testament writers also included references to specific times, events, people, and locations that can and have been verified, and such further suggests that their testimony was valid, true, and not the product of a grand scheme, which would have been nearly impossible to maintain without such being detected. 73 Additionally, the New Testament writers included many details in their writings that could be construed as embarrassing, and the inclusion of such indicates that their writings are truthful. 74 Furthermore, had the New Testament writers added to or made up any parts of their writings, hostile witnesses who had everything to gain by doing so, would have come forward to expose such problems. 75 Montgomery asserts that such hostile witness would serve as de facto crossexaminers who would have promptly exposed the apostolic witness as inaccurate and 72 Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 50.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), ; Kenneth Richard Samples, Without a Doubt: Answering the 20 Toughest Faith Questions (Michigan: Baker Books, 2004), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), ; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 50-51; Ross Clifford, Leading Lawyers Case for the Resurrection (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 1996), 51.; John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 33,

17 deceptive if it had been such. 76 Given all of this, the New Testament writers testimony should be deemed valid and reliable. C. The Crucifixion and Resurrection was Consistently Taught 1. Creeds Perhaps the most mentioned creed to support the position that Christ s crucifixion and resurrection was consistently taught is found in 1 Corinthians 15. Paul wrote 1 Corinthians sometime between A.D., and his visit to the church at Corinth was in 51 A.D. 77 The creed confirms Christ s burial, death, resurrection, empty tomb and cites actual appearances of Christ to his followers including Paul. 78 The dating of the material is considered to be very early John Warwick Montgomery, History, Law, and Christianity (Canada: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology, & Public Policy, 2002), Gary R. Habermas, The Resurrection Appearances of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), ; Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope (Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003),20.;Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 230.; Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007), David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 34.; William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, 3 rd ed. (Illinois: Crossway, 2008), 362, 365,377, ;William Lane Craig, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead, in Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus, eds. Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland (Michigan: Zondervan, 1995), 147, 149,153.; William Lane Craig, The Empty Tomb of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), 249, ; Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope (Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003), 16,23.; Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004), 52.; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 35,209, 220, ; Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007), David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 35.; Gary R. Habermas, The Resurrection Appearances of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), 264,267.; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), 154.; Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope (Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003), 17-18,19,28.; Hank Hanegraff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 209,

18 The consensus of scholarship is that this material was received between 2-8 years after the resurrection. 80 It is considered to be an early creed because of the unique characteristics of style, language and word usage which indicates that the material was not Paul s, but rather something he received from others, which he simply passed on via his writings. 81 The material contained in this creed is thought to have been given to Paul in about 35 A.D. when he went to Jerusalem and met with Peter, James and John. 82 If 30 A.D. was the year of the crucifixion and Paul became a Christian in 32 A.D., then he received the creedal information in 35 A.D., which means he received this specific teaching about the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ within five years 80 Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), 38.; Gary R. Habermas, The Resurrection Appearances of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), 264.; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), 154.; Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope (Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003), ;Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 34-35, 43, 55, 115.; Gary R. Habermas, The Resurrection Appearances of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), 265,266.; Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope (Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003), 17.; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), 147, ; Hank Hanegraaff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), ;Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 229.; Hank Hanegraff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 34-35, 43, 115.; William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (Illinois: Crossway, 2008), 362.;William Lane Craig, The Empty Tomb of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), 249.; Gary R. Habermas, The Resurrection Appearances of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), 264,266,267.; Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004), 52.; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), 155.; Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope (Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003), 18,19.;Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 35,209, 230.; Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007), 115,

19 after Christ was crucified. 83 Furthermore, Paul confirms in Galatians 1 and 2 that Peter, James and John confirmed what he was preaching and teaching concerning Christ s crucifixion and resurrection. 84 Paul also points out in 1 Corinthians 15:11 that his teaching on the resurrection is the same as the other apostles teaching on the matter. 85 If Paul received the creed in 35 A.D. from Peter, James and John, that means that they knew it before he did meaning that teaching 83 David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 35,36, 56.; William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (Illinois: Crossway, 2008), 362.;William Lane Craig, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead, in Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus, eds. Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland (Michigan: Zondervan, 1995), 153.; William Lane Craig, The Empty Tomb of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), 249.; Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004), 53.; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), 155.; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 35. Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007), David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009),34-35,56.; William Lane Craig, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead, in Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus, eds. Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland (Michigan: Zondervan, 1995), 147.; William Lane Craig, The Empty Tomb of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), 249.; William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (Illinois: Crossway, 2008), 378.;Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), 156.; Gary R. Habermas, The Resurrection Appearances of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), 265,266,267.; Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope (Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003), 18,20-21.;Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 56.; William Lane Craig, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead, in Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus, eds. Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland (Michigan: Zondervan, 1995), 147.; Gary R. Habermas, The Resurrection Appearances of Jesus, in In Defense of Miracles, eds. R. Douglas Geivett and Gary R. Habermas (Illinois: Intervarsity Press, 1997), 266,267.; Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004), 51.; Gary Habermas, The Risen Jesus and Future Hope (Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003),21.; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 231. Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007),

20 existed immediately post resurrection. 86 The extreme early dating of this material works against any contention that the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ were simply legendary stories which developed over time. 87 Additionally, the dating of this creed and others indicate that they were oral testimony dating before the earliest New Testament book was written. 88 Logically, this oral tradition had to exist before the New Testament was written if they were included by the writers. 89 Yamauchi describes Paul s writings in the following manner, Because he began writing his New Testament letters years before the gospels were written down, they contain extremely early reports concerning Jesus-so early that nobody can make a credible claim that they had been seriously distorted by legendary development. 90 William Lane Craig describes this particular creed as actually a summary that corresponds line by line with what the gospels teach. 91 Theologian, Gary Habermas sums up the relevance of this creed, As a result of this early and eyewitness testimony, the Christian teachings concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are open to historical testing No longer can it be charged that there is no demonstrable early, eyewitness testimony for the resurrection or 86 David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 36, 56.; Gary Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Missouri: College Press Publishing, 1996), ;Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), William Lane Craig, Did Jesus Rise from the Dead, in Jesus Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents the Historical Jesus, eds. Michael J. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland (Michigan: Zondervan, 1995), 147, 153.; Hank Hanegraff, Resurrection (Tenessee: W. Publishing Group, 2000), ; Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), 35.; Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007), David Baggett, ed., Did the Resurrection Happen: A Conversation with Gary Habermas and Anthony Flew (Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 2009), Lee Strobel, The Case for the Real Jesus (Michigan: Zondervan, 2007), 115. Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004), Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998), Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Michigan: Zondervan, 1998),