THE CASE FOR THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST/KNIGHT

When the resurrection is discussed all of human history stops and takes notice. Does that mean that all are saved, no. Does that mean that all know Jesus as their Savior, unfortunately no. But when discussing the resurrection among reasonable people, one must come to the conclusion that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the focal point of humanity. It has even been said that the Resurrection of Christ was the greatest, single event in human history. This writer will attempt to show different perspectives of an historical account of Christ' resurrection. Perspectives to include, secular history, Jewish history, Christian' accounts of the resurrection. Other perspectives are through the eyes of a journalist, as well as from a theological perspective. In the end, one can only conclude from which ever perspective one researches that from a historical point of view one will find an empty tomb, and a resurrected Christ. The first perspective is that of a secular historian's point of view. Cornelius Tacitus has the first historical perspective of Jesus' resurrection. Cornelius was a Roman historian who lived through numerous Roman emperors. Cornelius Tacitus was recognized by fellow scholars for having a reputation of moral integrity and a general goodness about him. Cornelius is known as the greatest historian of ancient Rome. Cornelius' most well known work is referred to as “The Annals cover the period from Augustus's death in A.D. 14 to that of Domitian in A.D. 96.” While Cornelius' was writing about Nero mention was made about the death of Christ and the fact that their were Christians at Rome. Cornelius makes a common mistake by pagan writers by misspelling Christ as “Christus.”1 “Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea in the reign of Tiberius: but the pernicious superstition, repressed for a time, broke out again, not only through Judea, where the mischief originated, but through the city of Rome also.”2 Names that might be common to read in the Bible have also been recorded in secular writings that record many of the same events. One common historically reported event was that the founder of Christianity, Christus, was put to death by Pontius Pilate, the govenor of Judea under the reign of Tiberius. Norman Anderson make a similer reference with regard to secular, historical accounts of Christ's resurrection. “”It is distinctly possible, that, when he adds that ‘A most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out,' he is bearing indirect and unconscious testimony to the convection of the early church that the Christ who had been crucified had risen from the grave.””3 It is of interest to mention that Cornelius is one of the few if not the onely pagan writer that mentions the sentence of death placed on Christ, and that the sentence was passed by Pontius Pilate. This is an example of where God's History is revealed in world history. ________________________________

1 Josh Mc Dowell, The new Evidence That Demands A Verdict (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 120. 2 Mc Dowell, p. 121. 3 Mc Dowell, p. 121. The credibility of this leading Roman historian of his day, Cornelius Tacitus, giving evidence that Jesus did live and was crucified sometime between A.D. 26-36 was a very significant testimony. That may not seem like much, but it is actually surprisingly useful in discounting two different theories which are still sometimes advanced: first, that Jesus of Nazareth never existed; and secondly, that he did not die by the duly administered Roman death penalty. 4 In other words because there was a succession of historical reporting, like a baton being passed in a relay race, this gave a much stronger, sure prove, evidence of Christ' life, death and resurrection. The historical strength comes when there is no room to punch holes in the historical account of Christ. There is no wiggle room, no gray areas of fact. Un tampered history always agrees with biblical accounts of history. But, having said that, the Bible is the final authority on history. From a Christian perspective, God is always afforded the benefit of the doubt as it relates to history. The Christian must hold to a perspective of biblical based history. If in the believers study of history one has a conflict between one's evidence of historic data, the believer's thinking must default to fideistic belief in God's Word as the final authority. This authority would include, but not limited to, history and science. Someone must have the final authority on history. The Lord and His Word are undeniably the key foundational source for Creation and civilization. The Bible's Author is omniscient, thus the Lord's ability to maintain history is complete.

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4 Josh Mc Dowell, The new Evidence That Demands A Verdict (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 121. Because this writer has made reference to the authority of science it is important to qualify the authority of science in relation to the authority of the Bible. Because the Bible is a science book, and addresses matters of nature and science, It, the Bible, is authoritative and purely credible when dealing with nature and science. Naturally water when it is not frozen does not stand up. Water seeks the path of least resistance. Water is governed by natures' law of gravity. Unless God decides otherwise. Exodus 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea , and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea . 5 The Sun and Moon since its Creation have moved around the Earth. The Sun and Moon make this journey around the Earth every literal twenty four hour period. This is an undisputable, dependable, scientific fact. Except when God, the Chief Scientist, chooses to order the law of nature differently. Joshua 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. 6 A solar eclipse of the Sun is understood to not happen during a full moon. This is a law of nature that is predictable and expected. It happens the same way every single time, except when God dictates differently to nature. Matt. 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 7

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5 cf. Exodus 14:16ff. 6 cf. Joshua 10:13ff. 7 cf. Matthew 27:45ff. One secular writer, Thallus, that refused to look at the power of God in a fideistic manner succumbed to looking for other answers, answers that were not there, instead of believing a Supernatural event took place by faith. Thallus, in the third book of his histories, explains away this darkness as an eclipse of the sun--unreasonably, as it seems to me (unreasonably, of course, because a solar eclipse could not take place at the time of the full moon, and it was at the season of the Paschal full moon that Christ died). 8 The written account of this non-Christian historian does give credence that the Earth did indeed darken the day Christ was crucified. The problem is that the response to this supernatural event went completely a rye, and the response lost all historical credibility. This reference shows that the Gospel account of the darkness that fell upon the land during Christ's crucifixion was well known and required a naturalistic explanation from non-Christians. Thallus did not doubt that Jesus had been crucified and that an unusual event had occurred in nature that required an explanation. What occupied his mind was the task of coming up with a different interpretation. The basic facts were not called into question. 9 This is an excellent example of how looking at history with the wrong presupposition will always lead to a wrong response to history. This sums up what happens when a humanist looks at history, or science. The humanist will always have a wrong response. In contrast when the fideist individual will look at any area of life he will always respond with a faith answer or response. ___________________________________

8 Josh Mc Dowell, The new Evidence That Demands A Verdict (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 122. 9 Josh Mc Dowell, The new Evidence That Demands A Verdict (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 122. An excellent gift and tool that believers have in their spiritual toolbox is the overwhelming assurance of their faith through fulfilled prophecy. Because believers are seeking the truth it might only take one inconsistency for ones faith to stall. But since believers have a trustworthy source of faith, the authorized version of the Bible, they can stand securely on God's Word. Each historical account and each prophecy the believer can trust in to be true and to be fulfilled. The Bible gives account of Christ' resurrection and the fulfillment of it. Psalm 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 10 Acts 2:31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 11 One of the great fulfillments of prophecy was that of the suffering for the sins of mankind, and the prayers for even those that sinned against Christ. The fulfillment is even more powerful that it took place over a 600 year period. Isaiah 53:11,12 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.12 Mark 15:28 And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.13

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cf. Psalm 16:10ff. cf. Acts 2:31ff. cf. Isaiah 53.11,12ff. cf. Mark 15:28ff. When a believer thinks, reads or writes on the topic of the resurrection one cannot help but be inspired and motivated by this very unique event in world history. This event is the central point in all of mankind. The resurrection is the central most important point in all Christianity. The Resurrection is the supreme vindication of Jesus' divine identity and His inspirited teaching. It's the proof of His triumph over sin and death. It's the foreshadowing of the resurrection of His followers. It's the basis of Christian hope. It's the miracle of all miracles. 14 Before the Resurrection was that all powerful empty tomb that was the first proof of Christ' Resurrection. Almost before Christ' Resurrection could be announced the false theories began being published. This was the stolen body theory. Matthew 28:13-15 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. 15 This theory became obsolete very quickly, as Christ showed Himself to the disciples and many others right after the tomb was found empty. Matthew 28:5-7 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 16

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14 Lee Strobel, The Case For Christ (Grand Rapids:Zondervan Publishing House, 1998), p. 206. 15 cf. Matt. 28:13-15ff. 16 cf. Matt. 28:5-7ff. The most powerful event after the empty tomb has to be when over 513 people saw Christ post death, burial and Resurrection. That among other things, shows that Christ did conquer sin, death and the cross. Then, there were all those that could give first hand account of Christ eating, drinking, talking, preaching, and praying after His Resurrection. I Cor. 15:3-7 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 17 First the proof of all the eye witnesses is a great testimony to the truth of Christ's resurrection. Then the changed life as a result of the power of Christ' resurrection. The life that receives Christ' resurrection is a result of the new nature. Christ' nature was demonstrated to be different from man's by way of His resurrection. Christ's resurrection was not simply a coming back from the dead, as had been experienced by others before, such as Lazarus, for then Jesus would have been subject to weakness and aging and eventually would have died again just as all other human beings die. Rather, when He rose from the dead Jesus was the ‘first fruits' of a new kind of human life, a life in which his body was made perfect, no longer subject to weakness, aging, or death, but able to live eternally.18

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17 cf. I Cor. 15:3-7ff. 18 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), pp. 608,609. A powerful proof of Christ' Resurrection power is was happened after His ascension, His glorification. Ones promotion shows His authority, power and worthiness. Christ showed His authority not only during His life and earthly ministry, but also after His ascension. He has shown His omnipotence through the transformed lives of those that have trusted Him as Savior. He has shown His omnipotence answered prayers and His ability to work all circumstance and all details out for mans good and His glory. As the resurrection proclaimed Christ to men as the perfected and glorified man, the conqueror of sin and lord of death, the ascension proclaimed Him to the universe as the reinstated God, the possessor of universal dominion, the omnipresent object of worship and hearer of prayer. 19 After a brief overview of all three perspectives of the resurrection it is quite convincing for that the resurrection did in deed happen as the Bible gives account to it. All perspectives including secular, Jewish or Christian all point to the fact that Jesus Christ died by crucifixion, was buried and rose again. The false theories that cropped up, such as ‘the swoon theory', or ‘the stolen body theory' were soon dismissed. The swoon theory was easily proven to not be medically possibly, and the stolen body theory was decimated when over 500 people witnessed and the account was recorded in Scripture. In addition to these theories the science perspective, based upon Scripture is quite powerful in giving account and pointing to the historical and scientific event of the resurrection. _____________________________

19 Augustus Hopkins Strong, Systematic Theology (Old Tappen: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1907), p. 708. Now, for the person that is an evidentialist, or an rationalist this study may be helpful to ones spiritual longings, but this writer believes this study will do the greatest good to the individual that has a fideistic worldview. The one that has a fideistic belief in the Bible will only be edified by extra biblical information giving further credence to what the Bible declares to be true regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This the greatest, and central event in human history is only further affirmed when conferring with the three subject worldviews.