Debunking Misinformation About Easter and the Resurrection - Michael Kruger

Inevitably, there's going to be a Inevitably, there's going to be a program that is going to be on why the program that is going to be on why the program that is going to be on why the bodily bodily bodily resurrection of Jesus did not happen. resurrection of Jesus did not happen. resurrection of Jesus did not happen. Every year this happens at Easter. And Every year this happens at Easter. And Every year this happens at Easter. And often you and I have been watching often you and I have been watching often you and I have been watching these. We'll be sitting on the couch these. We'll be sitting on the couch these. We'll be sitting on the couch and we're watching them and they'll be and we're watching them and they'll be and we're watching them and they'll be spouting out facts and you're like, spouting out facts and you're like, spouting out facts and you're like, "That's not true. "That's not true. "That's not true. That's not what he said. No, that's not That's not what he said. No, that's not That's not what he said. No, that's not what happened. Yeah, that's not true what happened. Yeah, that's not true what happened. Yeah, that's not true the you know, you always have these the you know, you always have these the you know, you always have these facts that contradict what they're facts that contradict what they're facts that contradict what they're saying so assuredly on these TV shows. saying so assuredly on these TV shows. saying so assuredly on these TV shows. So, if someone is you know, stumbles So, if someone is you know, stumbles So, if someone is you know, stumbles across one of these on some ABC, NBC, across one of these on some ABC, NBC, across one of these on some ABC, NBC, whatever show they're watching, whatever show they're watching, whatever show they're watching, what encouragement can you give them what encouragement can you give them what encouragement can you give them about one of these documentaries that about one of these documentaries that about one of these documentaries that seem so sure in what it's saying, how it seem so sure in what it's saying, how it seem so sure in what it's saying, how it was impossible, the timing of the was impossible, the timing of the was impossible, the timing of the Gospels was off, or you know, something Gospels was off, or you know, something Gospels was off, or you know, something couldn't have happened and they're couldn't have happened and they're couldn't have happened and they're they're giving these claims, what they're giving these claims, what they're giving these claims, what encouragement would you give them as encouragement would you give them as encouragement would you give them as they're watching something like that? they're watching something like that? they're watching something like that? Yeah, I mean, there's so much to say in Yeah, I mean, there's so much to say in Yeah, I mean, there's so much to say in response to that. It does seem to happen response to that. It does seem to happen response to that. It does seem to happen every single Easter. And now on social every single Easter. And now on social every single Easter. And now on social media you have an explosion of things on media you have an explosion of things on media you have an explosion of things on Easter that are critiquing it. You could Easter that are critiquing it. You could Easter that are critiquing it. You could watch a Discovery Channel show or watch a Discovery Channel show or watch a Discovery Channel show or documentary on the History Channel. In documentary on the History Channel. In documentary on the History Channel. In years gone by, there'd be newspaper and years gone by, there'd be newspaper and years gone by, there'd be newspaper and magazine articles all challenging the magazine articles all challenging the magazine articles all challenging the Easter event. So, my response to that is Easter event. So, my response to that is Easter event. So, my response to that is multifaceted. One is, the fact that multifaceted. One is, the fact that multifaceted. One is, the fact that skeptics are so eager to challenge the skeptics are so eager to challenge the skeptics are so eager to challenge the Easter event shows you how central it is Easter event shows you how central it is Easter event shows you how central it is to Christianity.

to Christianity. to Christianity. I mean, if you're going to challenge I mean, if you're going to challenge I mean, if you're going to challenge Christianity, what event are you going Christianity, what event are you going Christianity, what event are you going to pick? Well, this is the one. And so, to pick? Well, this is the one. And so, to pick? Well, this is the one. And so, that actually tells you how significant that actually tells you how significant that actually tells you how significant it is and it answers a little bit of the it is and it answers a little bit of the it is and it answers a little bit of the prior question, which is you can't have prior question, which is you can't have prior question, which is you can't have Christianity without the resurrection Christianity without the resurrection Christianity without the resurrection and skeptics know this. So, if they can and skeptics know this. So, if they can and skeptics know this. So, if they can debunk the resurrection, they've debunk the resurrection, they've debunk the resurrection, they've effectively debunked Jesus and debunked effectively debunked Jesus and debunked effectively debunked Jesus and debunked Christianity. So, the first thing I Christianity. So, the first thing I Christianity. So, the first thing I would say is, realize you're in you're would say is, realize you're in you're would say is, realize you're in you're in you're on sacred ground here. And in you're on sacred ground here. And in you're on sacred ground here. And what I mean by that is you're dealing what I mean by that is you're dealing what I mean by that is you're dealing with the core claim of Christ. And so, with the core claim of Christ. And so, with the core claim of Christ. And so, that's the first thing to recognize. that's the first thing to recognize. that's the first thing to recognize. Second thing to recognize when you hear Second thing to recognize when you hear Second thing to recognize when you hear these documentaries is just to remember these documentaries is just to remember these documentaries is just to remember that objections to the resurrection that objections to the resurrection that objections to the resurrection aren't merely uh historical. aren't merely uh historical. aren't merely uh historical. Lots of times these documentaries give Lots of times these documentaries give Lots of times these documentaries give the uh impression that they're they're the uh impression that they're they're the uh impression that they're they're they're objections are merely historical they're objections are merely historical they're objections are merely historical and it's all about the evidence. But, I and it's all about the evidence. But, I and it's all about the evidence. But, I think we all know that that beliefs think we all know that that beliefs think we all know that that beliefs aren't that simple and they're not aren't that simple and they're not aren't that simple and they're not formed that way. And what I often tell formed that way. And what I often tell formed that way. And what I often tell people is that when I talk about the people is that when I talk about the people is that when I talk about the resurrection, you got to back up a resurrection, you got to back up a resurrection, you got to back up a minute and talk first of all about what minute and talk first of all about what minute and talk first of all about what you find you find you find uh as something that could be a uh as something that could be a uh as something that could be a plausible thing to happen in the world. plausible thing to happen in the world. plausible thing to happen in the world. If you have a worldview that says If you have a worldview that says If you have a worldview that says there's no God, if you have a worldview there's no God, if you have a worldview there's no God, if you have a worldview that says there's no miraculous or no that says there's no miraculous or no that says there's no miraculous or no supernatural, and I give you evidence supernatural, and I give you evidence supernatural, and I give you evidence for the resurrection, even if it's good for the resurrection, even if it's good for the resurrection, even if it's good evidence, you're not going to accept evidence, you're not going to accept evidence, you're not going to accept that evidence.

that evidence. that evidence. You're not going to find that evidence You're not going to find that evidence You're not going to find that evidence persuasive because you already have that persuasive because you already have that persuasive because you already have that idea in your head that that's idea in your head that that's idea in your head that that's impossible. That can't take place. And impossible. That can't take place. And impossible. That can't take place. And when you watch these shows on the when you watch these shows on the when you watch these shows on the Discovery Channel or wherever, you have Discovery Channel or wherever, you have Discovery Channel or wherever, you have to realize that that there's a lot of to realize that that there's a lot of to realize that that there's a lot of philosophical uh things in play, not philosophical uh things in play, not philosophical uh things in play, not just historical. And a lot of people just historical. And a lot of people just historical. And a lot of people just can't get themselves to believe a just can't get themselves to believe a just can't get themselves to believe a man died and rose again regardless of man died and rose again regardless of man died and rose again regardless of the historical evidence. So, it's not the historical evidence. So, it's not the historical evidence. So, it's not always about the evidence. It's actually always about the evidence. It's actually always about the evidence. It's actually about the way where you start from and about the way where you start from and about the way where you start from and what your set of beliefs are that you what your set of beliefs are that you what your set of beliefs are that you bring to the discussion from the bring to the discussion from the bring to the discussion from the beginning. Well, like let me ask you beginning. Well, like let me ask you beginning. Well, like let me ask you about the evidence. Like if you had an about the evidence. Like if you had an about the evidence. Like if you had an index card and you were just going to index card and you were just going to index card and you were just going to write out some of the you know, the best write out some of the you know, the best write out some of the you know, the best evidence, the best arguments, um what evidence, the best arguments, um what evidence, the best arguments, um what would you know, just bullet point a few would you know, just bullet point a few would you know, just bullet point a few of them for us? Yeah, actually the the of them for us? Yeah, actually the the of them for us? Yeah, actually the the argument for the resurrection is is argument for the resurrection is is argument for the resurrection is is remarkably simple, but I think uh also remarkably simple, but I think uh also remarkably simple, but I think uh also um remarkably convincing. And so, I um remarkably convincing. And so, I um remarkably convincing. And so, I usually go through a number of bullet usually go through a number of bullet usually go through a number of bullet points with people. I say, "Here's points with people. I say, "Here's points with people. I say, "Here's here's the here's the facts as we see here's the here's the facts as we see here's the here's the facts as we see them. Jesus really lived. We know he's a them. Jesus really lived. We know he's a them. Jesus really lived. We know he's a historical figure. There's universal historical figure. There's universal historical figure. There's universal agreement about it. Um we know a good agreement about it. Um we know a good agreement about it. Um we know a good bit about his life, even skeptical bit about his life, even skeptical bit about his life, even skeptical scholars agree. We know he died. Um scholars agree. We know he died. Um scholars agree. We know he died. Um there's no doubt that he was killed on there's no doubt that he was killed on there's no doubt that he was killed on the cross and he was crucified, even the cross and he was crucified, even the cross and he was crucified, even secular scholars agree. Um so, we know secular scholars agree. Um so, we know secular scholars agree. Um so, we know he was put to death and really did die.

he was put to death and really did die. he was put to death and really did die. So, it wasn't a fake death, it wasn't an So, it wasn't a fake death, it wasn't an So, it wasn't a fake death, it wasn't an accident, you know, didn't think he was accident, you know, didn't think he was accident, you know, didn't think he was alive when he was think he was dead when alive when he was think he was dead when alive when he was think he was dead when he was really alive. We know he actually he was really alive. We know he actually he was really alive. We know he actually uh was was was put to death. Thirdly, we uh was was was put to death. Thirdly, we uh was was was put to death. Thirdly, we have all kinds of historical evidence have all kinds of historical evidence have all kinds of historical evidence suggests that where he was buried was suggests that where he was buried was suggests that where he was buried was was was well known. It was public was was well known. It was public was was well known. It was public information. Uh how do we know this? information. Uh how do we know this? information. Uh how do we know this? Well, we we know that the Roman Well, we we know that the Roman Well, we we know that the Roman government had a vested interest in government had a vested interest in government had a vested interest in making sure that that there wasn't going making sure that that there wasn't going making sure that that there wasn't going to be no fraud involved, no one's going to be no fraud involved, no one's going to be no fraud involved, no one's going to pretend Jesus rose from the dead. So, to pretend Jesus rose from the dead. So, to pretend Jesus rose from the dead. So, there had to be a a tomb that they could there had to be a a tomb that they could there had to be a a tomb that they could guard, that they could protect to keep guard, that they could protect to keep guard, that they could protect to keep uh anything from happening to the body. uh anything from happening to the body. uh anything from happening to the body. Uh there was a sense in which the women Uh there was a sense in which the women Uh there was a sense in which the women who were to go to the tomb, they clearly who were to go to the tomb, they clearly who were to go to the tomb, they clearly had an idea where the body was. So, all had an idea where the body was. So, all had an idea where the body was. So, all the threads of historical evidence we the threads of historical evidence we the threads of historical evidence we have suggest the tomb was a known have suggest the tomb was a known have suggest the tomb was a known location, that it wasn't a mystery where location, that it wasn't a mystery where location, that it wasn't a mystery where he's where he was buried. And then I he's where he was buried. And then I he's where he was buried. And then I would add a fourth data point is that 3 would add a fourth data point is that 3 would add a fourth data point is that 3 days later, there's testimony that the days later, there's testimony that the days later, there's testimony that the tomb was empty. That there was no body tomb was empty. That there was no body tomb was empty. That there was no body in the tomb, that the body was no longer in the tomb, that the body was no longer in the tomb, that the body was no longer there. Um and that people went to the there. Um and that people went to the there. Um and that people went to the tomb and found it to be without Jesus. tomb and found it to be without Jesus. tomb and found it to be without Jesus. And then then I would add a fifth piece And then then I would add a fifth piece And then then I would add a fifth piece of evidence, we have people who claim of evidence, we have people who claim of evidence, we have people who claim they saw him alive. Paul actually claims they saw him alive. Paul actually claims they saw him alive. Paul actually claims that over 500 people saw him alive at that over 500 people saw him alive at that over 500 people saw him alive at one point. Um and then I would get to one point. Um and then I would get to one point. Um and then I would get to the last claim, which I think is one of the last claim, which I think is one of the last claim, which I think is one of the most significant, which is that the the most significant, which is that the the most significant, which is that the early Christian movement, which had early Christian movement, which had early Christian movement, which had every reason to end at Jesus's death, every reason to end at Jesus's death, every reason to end at Jesus's death, did not end, but kept going and expanded did not end, but kept going and expanded did not end, but kept going and expanded and grew all under the conviction that and grew all under the conviction that and grew all under the conviction that Jesus had risen. Now, you look at the Jesus had risen. Now, you look at the Jesus had risen. Now, you look at the conglomeration of all those little data conglomeration of all those little data conglomeration of all those little data points I gave you, five or six of them.

points I gave you, five or six of them. points I gave you, five or six of them. The question at that point is, what's The question at that point is, what's The question at that point is, what's the best historical explanation of this the best historical explanation of this the best historical explanation of this data? data? data? Now, the skeptics are going to say, Now, the skeptics are going to say, Now, the skeptics are going to say, "Well, you know, I I'll never allow a "Well, you know, I I'll never allow a "Well, you know, I I'll never allow a miracle, so therefore my best miracle, so therefore my best miracle, so therefore my best explanation is some other sort of explanation is some other sort of explanation is some other sort of scenario." But, if you if you don't rule scenario." But, if you if you don't rule scenario." But, if you if you don't rule out the supernatural, if you don't rule out the supernatural, if you don't rule out the supernatural, if you don't rule out God's intervention, you actually can out God's intervention, you actually can out God's intervention, you actually can see how that those those data points all see how that those those data points all see how that those those data points all come together to make a pretty come together to make a pretty come together to make a pretty convincing case. convincing case. convincing case. So, when I think about the resurrection So, when I think about the resurrection So, when I think about the resurrection story and the Easter story, story and the Easter story, story and the Easter story, one of the things that um you kind of one of the things that um you kind of one of the things that um you kind of hinted at um in this was eyewitnesses. hinted at um in this was eyewitnesses. hinted at um in this was eyewitnesses. And um one thing that's always pretty And um one thing that's always pretty And um one thing that's always pretty compelling to me is you see these compelling to me is you see these compelling to me is you see these disciples disciples disciples who beforehand, you know, when Jesus is who beforehand, you know, when Jesus is who beforehand, you know, when Jesus is just taken to be crucified, they're just taken to be crucified, they're just taken to be crucified, they're scattering. It says they all you know, scattering. It says they all you know, scattering. It says they all you know, he was left alone. Um he was left alone. Um he was left alone. Um and then yet we see and then yet we see and then yet we see post-resurrection post-resurrection post-resurrection um a a very different group of um a a very different group of um a a very different group of disciples. I mean, a lot of them in disciples. I mean, a lot of them in disciples. I mean, a lot of them in early church history would go on to be early church history would go on to be early church history would go on to be martyred for the faith. So, these these martyred for the faith. So, these these martyred for the faith. So, these these very same people who scattered pre- very same people who scattered pre- very same people who scattered pre- crucifixion now seem actually emboldened crucifixion now seem actually emboldened crucifixion now seem actually emboldened post-crucifixion.

post-crucifixion. post-crucifixion. Um how does that story kind of add to Um how does that story kind of add to Um how does that story kind of add to your understanding of the resurrection your understanding of the resurrection your understanding of the resurrection and the power of what happened um and the power of what happened um and the power of what happened um at Easter? Yeah, so one of the things at Easter? Yeah, so one of the things at Easter? Yeah, so one of the things people don't necessarily think about people don't necessarily think about people don't necessarily think about when we're talking about the when we're talking about the when we're talking about the resurrection is resurrection is resurrection is is they think, "Well, do I believe Jesus is they think, "Well, do I believe Jesus is they think, "Well, do I believe Jesus rose from the dead?" That's not really rose from the dead?" That's not really rose from the dead?" That's not really the right question to ask at first. The the right question to ask at first. The the right question to ask at first. The the better question to ask historically the better question to ask historically the better question to ask historically is, what can explain how early is, what can explain how early is, what can explain how early Christians came to believe Christians came to believe Christians came to believe Jesus rose from the dead? Because we Jesus rose from the dead? Because we Jesus rose from the dead? Because we know from historical fact they came to know from historical fact they came to know from historical fact they came to believe it and they came to believe it believe it and they came to believe it believe it and they came to believe it vigorously and they even believed it so vigorously and they even believed it so vigorously and they even believed it so much that many of them were martyred on much that many of them were martyred on much that many of them were martyred on the foundation of that belief and the the foundation of that belief and the the foundation of that belief and the Christian movement didn't die, kept Christian movement didn't die, kept Christian movement didn't die, kept going. So, how do I explain that? That's going. So, how do I explain that? That's going. So, how do I explain that? That's that's the that's the real question. And that's the that's the real question. And that's the that's the real question. And what we find is a remarkable scenario what we find is a remarkable scenario what we find is a remarkable scenario here, which is people tend to think that here, which is people tend to think that here, which is people tend to think that that when Jesus died, the disciples were that when Jesus died, the disciples were that when Jesus died, the disciples were like, "Well, I know he died, but we'll like, "Well, I know he died, but we'll like, "Well, I know he died, but we'll make the best of this. We'll keep the make the best of this. We'll keep the make the best of this. We'll keep the movement going. We'll we'll try to movement going. We'll we'll try to movement going. We'll we'll try to salvage what he taught us and we'll just salvage what he taught us and we'll just salvage what he taught us and we'll just start this Christian religion without start this Christian religion without start this Christian religion without him." No, that's not the evidence we him." No, that's not the evidence we him." No, that's not the evidence we have. The evidence we have is that when have. The evidence we have is that when have. The evidence we have is that when he died, that was it. In their minds, he died, that was it. In their minds, he died, that was it. In their minds, it's over, it's done. We lost, we it's over, it's done. We lost, we it's over, it's done. We lost, we failed. He wasn't the Messiah because failed. He wasn't the Messiah because failed. He wasn't the Messiah because for the Messiah to die in early Jewish for the Messiah to die in early Jewish for the Messiah to die in early Jewish expectations was to prove he's not the expectations was to prove he's not the expectations was to prove he's not the Messiah.

Messiah. Messiah. It's to prove prove that he was defeated It's to prove prove that he was defeated It's to prove prove that he was defeated by the Romans instead of defeating the by the Romans instead of defeating the by the Romans instead of defeating the Romans. So, the idea that every disciple Romans. So, the idea that every disciple Romans. So, the idea that every disciple in these first few days was was willing in these first few days was was willing in these first few days was was willing to see Jesus behind every tree and under to see Jesus behind every tree and under to see Jesus behind every tree and under every rock and they just were going to every rock and they just were going to every rock and they just were going to have an hallucination and be willing to have an hallucination and be willing to have an hallucination and be willing to see him come back. No, they they had see him come back. No, they they had see him come back. No, they they had completely given up. Um and it's that completely given up. Um and it's that completely given up. Um and it's that transition between total despondency, transition between total despondency, transition between total despondency, total defeat, total given up to suddenly total defeat, total given up to suddenly total defeat, total given up to suddenly uh a a a cur- courage and boldness and uh a a a cur- courage and boldness and uh a a a cur- courage and boldness and and and outward-facingness and a and a and and outward-facingness and a and a and and outward-facingness and a and a and a and a movement that didn't die is and a and a movement that didn't die is and a and a movement that didn't die is is a stunning historical fact. And it's is a stunning historical fact. And it's is a stunning historical fact. And it's a historical fact that deserves an a historical fact that deserves an a historical fact that deserves an explanation. And as Christians we would explanation. And as Christians we would explanation. And as Christians we would argue that I don't know of any argue that I don't know of any argue that I don't know of any explanation that comes close to explanation that comes close to explanation that comes close to explaining that unless Jesus actually explaining that unless Jesus actually explaining that unless Jesus actually was seen alive uh physically by his was seen alive uh physically by his was seen alive uh physically by his followers. followers. followers. So, what appearances did Jesus make So, what appearances did Jesus make So, what appearances did Jesus make after his resurrection and why should we after his resurrection and why should we after his resurrection and why should we believe that they really saw him? believe that they really saw him? believe that they really saw him? Because I mean, to your point, their Because I mean, to your point, their Because I mean, to your point, their lives were totally changed. And how many lives were totally changed. And how many lives were totally changed. And how many actually were martyred for their faith? actually were martyred for their faith? actually were martyred for their faith? I mean, you just don't you're not I mean, you just don't you're not I mean, you just don't you're not willing to die for something that you willing to die for something that you willing to die for something that you don't you know, have so much confidence don't you know, have so much confidence don't you know, have so much confidence in. And so, so these appearances, these in. And so, so these appearances, these in. And so, so these appearances, these eyewitness accounts of the resurrection eyewitness accounts of the resurrection eyewitness accounts of the resurrection are so crucial not just in the lives of are so crucial not just in the lives of are so crucial not just in the lives of the the followers then, but in the lives the the followers then, but in the lives the the followers then, but in the lives of the followers today. Um so, what of the followers today. Um so, what of the followers today. Um so, what appearances did Jesus make after the appearances did Jesus make after the appearances did Jesus make after the resurrection? Yeah, this is this is resurrection? Yeah, this is this is resurrection? Yeah, this is this is where our evidence actually is really where our evidence actually is really where our evidence actually is really good. So, in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul has good. So, in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul has good. So, in 1 Corinthians 15, Paul has a very famous section where he talks a very famous section where he talks a very famous section where he talks about the resurrection and the about the resurrection and the about the resurrection and the resurrection appearances in particular.

resurrection appearances in particular. resurrection appearances in particular. And in that passage he talks about how And in that passage he talks about how And in that passage he talks about how the tomb was empty, he rose, he was the tomb was empty, he rose, he was the tomb was empty, he rose, he was buried and rose. And he talks about the buried and rose. And he talks about the buried and rose. And he talks about the the also in addition to the empty tomb, the also in addition to the empty tomb, the also in addition to the empty tomb, the resurrection appearances. And he the resurrection appearances. And he the resurrection appearances. And he mentions of course that mentions of course that mentions of course that he appeared to the disciples, which he he appeared to the disciples, which he he appeared to the disciples, which he did. Um he appeared to James, which he did. Um he appeared to James, which he did. Um he appeared to James, which he did. He appeared to Paul himself on the did. He appeared to Paul himself on the did. He appeared to Paul himself on the road to Damascus at a slightly later road to Damascus at a slightly later road to Damascus at a slightly later point. He appeared to over 500 people at point. He appeared to over 500 people at point. He appeared to over 500 people at one particular time. And we also know one particular time. And we also know one particular time. And we also know from the Gospel accounts that he from the Gospel accounts that he from the Gospel accounts that he actually appeared to the women. Um and actually appeared to the women. Um and actually appeared to the women. Um and he also appeared to the disciples on the he also appeared to the disciples on the he also appeared to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. So, the the resurrection road to Emmaus. So, the the resurrection road to Emmaus. So, the the resurrection appearances are broad and dispersed in appearances are broad and dispersed in appearances are broad and dispersed in in different locations, different in different locations, different in different locations, different regions, different people, different regions, different people, different regions, different people, different scenarios. scenarios. scenarios. And this is one of the things that makes And this is one of the things that makes And this is one of the things that makes it compelling. So, you know, it's not it compelling. So, you know, it's not it compelling. So, you know, it's not like one person says, "I saw Jesus rise like one person says, "I saw Jesus rise like one person says, "I saw Jesus rise from the dead and you got to trust me in from the dead and you got to trust me in from the dead and you got to trust me in all things funnel through me." As if all things funnel through me." As if all things funnel through me." As if everything hinges on that one everything hinges on that one everything hinges on that one individual's testimony. No, we we have individual's testimony. No, we we have individual's testimony. No, we we have multiple testimonies from diverse multiple testimonies from diverse multiple testimonies from diverse locations and diverse individuals. And locations and diverse individuals. And locations and diverse individuals. And here's the other thing that's here's the other thing that's here's the other thing that's interesting is that when Paul passes interesting is that when Paul passes interesting is that when Paul passes along that that summary of the along that that summary of the along that that summary of the resurrection appearances in 1 resurrection appearances in 1 resurrection appearances in 1 Corinthians 15, scholars have noted that Corinthians 15, scholars have noted that Corinthians 15, scholars have noted that it looks like a sort of a a packaged it looks like a sort of a a packaged it looks like a sort of a a packaged summary, so much so that it looks like summary, so much so that it looks like summary, so much so that it looks like Paul's actually passing along earlier Paul's actually passing along earlier Paul's actually passing along earlier tradition.

tradition. tradition. In fact, in the statement of 1 In fact, in the statement of 1 In fact, in the statement of 1 Corinthians 15, Paul actually says he's Corinthians 15, Paul actually says he's Corinthians 15, Paul actually says he's passing along earlier tradition. What I passing along earlier tradition. What I passing along earlier tradition. What I received, I'm passing to you, that that received, I'm passing to you, that that received, I'm passing to you, that that Christ died according to or for our sins Christ died according to or for our sins Christ died according to or for our sins according to the scriptures, and that 3 according to the scriptures, and that 3 according to the scriptures, and that 3 days later he was risen from the dead, days later he was risen from the dead, days later he was risen from the dead, and so on. And so, almost all scholars and so on. And so, almost all scholars and so on. And so, almost all scholars recognize that he's he's getting earlier recognize that he's he's getting earlier recognize that he's he's getting earlier material. So, this material takes us all material. So, this material takes us all material. So, this material takes us all the way back into the 40s of the 1st the way back into the 40s of the 1st the way back into the 40s of the 1st century. century. century. So, we know that from a very early time So, we know that from a very early time So, we know that from a very early time there was a belief in the resurrection. there was a belief in the resurrection. there was a belief in the resurrection. A very early time Christians believed A very early time Christians believed A very early time Christians believed Jesus had risen from the dead and had Jesus had risen from the dead and had Jesus had risen from the dead and had many testimonies circulating that many testimonies circulating that many testimonies circulating that supported that belief. Mhm. I love that. supported that belief. Mhm. I love that. supported that belief. Mhm. I love that. Well, and in that whole 1 Corinthians 15 Well, and in that whole 1 Corinthians 15 Well, and in that whole 1 Corinthians 15 where Paul says, I mean, if the where Paul says, I mean, if the where Paul says, I mean, if the resurrection didn't happen, like Yeah, resurrection didn't happen, like Yeah, resurrection didn't happen, like Yeah, that's what he goes on to say, right? that's what he goes on to say, right? that's what he goes on to say, right? >> point? I mean, our entire faith hinges >> point? I mean, our entire faith hinges >> point? I mean, our entire faith hinges on because the reality, we talk so much on because the reality, we talk so much on because the reality, we talk so much about the crucifixion, but the reality about the crucifixion, but the reality about the crucifixion, but the reality is many many many people were crucified. is many many many people were crucified. is many many many people were crucified. Um it's actually it's the it's the Um it's actually it's the it's the Um it's actually it's the it's the obviously the incarnation, the sinless obviously the incarnation, the sinless obviously the incarnation, the sinless life, I mean, all of it is salvific, life, I mean, all of it is salvific, life, I mean, all of it is salvific, right? It requires all of it. And but it right? It requires all of it. And but it right? It requires all of it. And but it hinges on the death and resurrection. hinges on the death and resurrection. hinges on the death and resurrection. But I think we can even hone in a little But I think we can even hone in a little But I think we can even hone in a little bit more and say, I mean, if Well, it's bit more and say, I mean, if Well, it's bit more and say, I mean, if Well, it's what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, if what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, if what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, if the resurrection didn't happen, then all the resurrection didn't happen, then all the resurrection didn't happen, then all of this is futile. Your faith is in of this is futile. Your faith is in of this is futile. Your faith is in vain. Our preaching is in vain. No, let vain. Our preaching is in vain. No, let vain. Our preaching is in vain. No, let me let me pause on that for a second.

me let me pause on that for a second. me let me pause on that for a second. This is really critical because This is really critical because This is really critical because a dead savior's not a savior, okay? a dead savior's not a savior, okay? a dead savior's not a savior, okay? A dead savior only is actually a sign A dead savior only is actually a sign A dead savior only is actually a sign that he wasn't a savior. that he wasn't a savior. that he wasn't a savior. And and one of the things people don't And and one of the things people don't And and one of the things people don't realize is that there had been other realize is that there had been other realize is that there had been other would-be Messiahs before Jesus and after would-be Messiahs before Jesus and after would-be Messiahs before Jesus and after Jesus that had gained a following. And Jesus that had gained a following. And Jesus that had gained a following. And people became began to be convinced that people became began to be convinced that people became began to be convinced that this person was the Messiah, and when this person was the Messiah, and when this person was the Messiah, and when that person was put to death by the that person was put to death by the that person was put to death by the Roman government, the the movement Roman government, the the movement Roman government, the the movement ended. ended. ended. And and then and they ended every time And and then and they ended every time And and then and they ended every time because people knew that a dead Messiah because people knew that a dead Messiah because people knew that a dead Messiah who stays dead is not the Messiah, and who stays dead is not the Messiah, and who stays dead is not the Messiah, and you move on. You don't salvage it. You you move on. You don't salvage it. You you move on. You don't salvage it. You don't try to make it the best you can don't try to make it the best you can don't try to make it the best you can make it. You don't It's just over. Um make it. You don't It's just over. Um make it. You don't It's just over. Um and so, what's interesting about the and so, what's interesting about the and so, what's interesting about the early Christian movement is they had a early Christian movement is they had a early Christian movement is they had a dead Messiah that then they claimed was dead Messiah that then they claimed was dead Messiah that then they claimed was alive again. And that's the only way you alive again. And that's the only way you alive again. And that's the only way you could actually have a movement. You could actually have a movement. You could actually have a movement. You can't have a movement any other way can't have a movement any other way can't have a movement any other way unless there's a living savior. So, unless there's a living savior. So, unless there's a living savior. So, somewhere the Christians came to believe somewhere the Christians came to believe somewhere the Christians came to believe that he was alive and really alive, not that he was alive and really alive, not that he was alive and really alive, not in their hearts, in their hearts, in their hearts, not in their minds, not just in spirit not in their minds, not just in spirit not in their minds, not just in spirit in heaven, but he was really alive. And in heaven, but he was really alive. And in heaven, but he was really alive. And that demands an historical explanation, that demands an historical explanation, that demands an historical explanation, and this is where we keep coming back to and this is where we keep coming back to and this is where we keep coming back to the same thing again. The Christians the same thing again. The Christians the same thing again. The Christians were not anticipating or thinking it was were not anticipating or thinking it was were not anticipating or thinking it was going to happen, or they had they had going to happen, or they had they had going to happen, or they had they had given up and were just in hiding, and given up and were just in hiding, and given up and were just in hiding, and something had to really flip the script.

something had to really flip the script. something had to really flip the script. Yeah, and those 3 days in between, I Yeah, and those 3 days in between, I Yeah, and those 3 days in between, I mean, the the hopelessness. They had you mean, the the hopelessness. They had you mean, the the hopelessness. They had you know, they had lost everything like you know, they had lost everything like you know, they had lost everything like you said. They thought they had been said. They thought they had been said. They thought they had been defeated. And then but even how God goes defeated. And then but even how God goes defeated. And then but even how God goes out of his way to say, out of his way to say, out of his way to say, "I am going to have so many eyewitnesses "I am going to have so many eyewitnesses "I am going to have so many eyewitnesses to this." I mean, it's such a it's such to this." I mean, it's such a it's such to this." I mean, it's such a it's such a mercy. We're not asked to believe a mercy. We're not asked to believe a mercy. We're not asked to believe something that happened You know, there something that happened You know, there something that happened You know, there are there are religions of revelation are there are religions of revelation are there are religions of revelation that things happen in secret. They that things happen in secret. They that things happen in secret. They happen in hiding. And and God throughout happen in hiding. And and God throughout happen in hiding. And and God throughout the story did things very publicly, did the story did things very publicly, did the story did things very publicly, did things specifically with eyewitnesses, things specifically with eyewitnesses, things specifically with eyewitnesses, and praise God for the eyewitnesses to and praise God for the eyewitnesses to and praise God for the eyewitnesses to the resurrection.