Thursday, March 8, 2018

Resurrection Apologetic



Introduction
     This paper is on an apologetic defense of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This discussion is necessary because without validation of the resurrection there indeed is no real Christian belief system.  This defense is foundational in all discussions of doctrine.  The existence of Jesus is not debated, and the historical fact of Jesus's death on the cross is documented in Christian and non-Christian writings.  The resurrection is the key.  In this paper, the minimalist fact argument will be explained and used in defense of the resurrection. The second step will be to present a reasonable case or apologetic to the stated resurrection using scholarly research and finally reaching a convincing conclusion on the validity of the event. 

Summary of the Minimalist Facts Argument
    
     Firstly, as Dr. Habermas states, the Minimalist Facts Argument is a "methodology" a way to explain and make a case of a viewpoint of one's facts. There are two basic concepts of the method. The first is the factor of the lowest common denominator[G12], whereas there are verifiable historical facts from multiple sources.  These sources can be Biblical or secular research and the more secular research, the stronger the position becomes.  Secondly, it is vital to secure facts that over ninety percent of recognized scholars will agree.  These scholars should be doctoral or a very least provable experts in their respective fields of study.[G13] [G14] [G15] [G16] [G17] [G18] [G19] [G20] [G21] [G22] 



Apologetic

     There are some factors that are of use in our apologetic discussion.  Dr. Habermas gives us a great basis for our defense in his class lecture entitled, The Resurrection of Jesus.  Dr. Habermas starts with a statement that there are at least eleven verifiable sources for the crucifixion of Jesus and this is a great place to establish a starting ground on the debate on the actual rising from the dead of Jesus. Dr. Habermas actually states, "can you get verification of a miracle?" [1]Meaning that factual events are much stronger arguments in a debate. In Reasons for Our Hope it states that “if Jesus Christ was not raised from the dead bodily from the tomb ... then the faith of every believer throughout church history is in vain.”[2]
  
Conclusion

    The use of the testimony of women would have been embarrassing and useless data unless it was true which brings increased validity to the writing of Scripture overall.  The life, death, and burial of Jesus is fact and proven in secular sources, as well as the reality of the empty tomb.  There is not much that needs to be taken on faith alone, and the reasonableness of the argument is proven and established. 



Bibliography

Dr. Habermas, The Resurrection of Jesus, lecture accessed February 24th, 2018 on liberty.edu.


House, H. Wayne and Dennis W. Jowers, Reasons for Our Hope. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group. 2011.






[1] Dr. Habermas, The Resurrection of Jesus, lecture accessed February 24th, 2018 on liberty.edu.
[2] House, H. Wayne and Dennis W. Jowers (2011), Reasons for Our Hope.Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group. p. 333.



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