The Resurrection of Christ

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................3 THE EMPTY TOMB .................................................................................................................4 Issues That Rejects the Substitution Theory .......................................................................... 6 Security Breached or Conspiracy? ......................................................................................... 7 JESUS’ PHYSICAL APPEARANCE .......................................................................................9 Hallucination Not Possible .................................................................................................... 9 THE ORIGIN OF CHRISTIAN FAITH..................................................................................10 Foundation for Christian Faith ............................................................................................. 10 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................12 BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................................13 ii INTRODUCTION Whether one would agree or not, the subject on resurrection appears to bear more critique than the death of Jesus Christ. In his research about death and after life, Longenecker indicated that only Zoroastrianism teaches the idea of resurrection which according to Bernhard Lang’s assertion as quoted, this is where the Jewish concept of resurrection was borrowed from.1 However base on his findings, Longenecker himself strongly contested that none of the explanations speaks of a bodily resurrection as seen in Jesus which the Christians holds (1 Thes. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15, 1 Pet 1:3). In Jewish’ understanding, it is in an eschatological and apocalyptic sense that is why according to Portier, “to say that God ‘raised’ Jesus from the dead is to make an eschatological proclamation.”2 As he explained, the resurrection of Christ was a sign that the Jewish eschatological hope is not in vain.3 However, to them what is real and visible is more important than that of a spiritual restoration that Jesus came to offer. Also according to Reines, resurrection in the Jewish’ mindset is closely associated with their restoration as a nation which in a sense is eschatological. To them, it will take place during the Messianic Age where the Jewish people will be restored to the land of Israel before the resurrection of the righteous ones then of the wicked ones happen.4 Because of this, to the skeptics, the idea of Jesus’ resurrection is just not possible. 1 Richard N. Longenecker, ed., Life in the Face of Death: The Resurrection Message of the New Testament, (McMaster New Testament studies) (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 1998), 47. 2 William L. Portier, Tradition and Incarnation: Foundations of Christian Theology (Paulist Press, 1994), 333. 3 Ibid., 351. Alvin J. Reines, “Medieval Philosophy,” in Encyclopaedia Judaica, 2nd ed., Vol. 17, Fred Skolnik and Michael Berenbaum, eds., (Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA in association with the Keter Pub. House, 2007) 153. Boyarin and Siegel stated that one of the significance of the doctrine of resurrection in the rabbinic period embodies retribution and reward when there will be peace, justice, and righteousness in the world. See also Daniel Boyarin and Seymour Siegel, “Rabbinic Period.” in Encyclopaedia Judaica, 2nd ed., vol. 17, Fred Skolnik and Michael Berenbaum, eds., (Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA in association with the Keter Pub. House, 2007), 241. 4 One of them is Thomas H. West, a Catholic Professor of Theology at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. Although he believes and hold some of the doctrinal teachings of Christianity, the idea of resurrection at least to him is questionable. In response, this paper aims to counter his arguments and provide reliable proofs that validates the resurrection of Christ as West tries to question. Three of the main facts that supports the evidence of Jesus’ resurrection includes: the empty tomb, Jesus’ physical appearance, and the origin of the Christian faith but this paper dealt more on the controversy of the empty tomb which is questionable to West. THE EMPTY TOMB One of the controversial issue on the resurrection of Christ was the skeptic’s mysterious empty tomb where Jesus was laid. As it appears to them, Jesus’ body was not resurrected but stolen. As there are always two sides of a coin, the controversy on the empty tomb seem to also have two sides of stories: it could either be that the disciples took Jesus’ body – a rumor that the chief priest asked the guards to spread throughout the city (Matt 28:11-15); or probably that Jesus’ enemies (the chief priests and the Pharisees) stole and hid his body to discredit all that Jesus had said concerning his resurrection (Matt 27:62-66). However, none of these two explanations make a probable sense. In what Dan Story calls the “Socratic Response,” he said “if the tomb was not empty, the Jews or Romans would have produced the body the moment Christ’s disciples began to preach His resurrection.”5 This is absolutely a strong realistic point of argument because Romans were known to be very particular and responsible about their duty that it would be impossible to do any crime under the Roman rule without getting punished. If Jesus was not resurrected and that the body was stolen even by anybody, the Romans will do their best to find it. Otherwise, they (including 5 Dan Story, The Christian Combat Manual: Helps for Defending Your Faith (Chattanooga, Tenn.: AMG Publishers, 2007), 209. Pilate) will be held accountable to the governor for a neglect of duty. But according to West’ contention, the empty tomb is not enough ground for proof of the resurrection of Christ as to him, “it proves nothing except that a body has disappeared.”6 As a response to West’ argument, it makes a good point to ask this question, “how could the disciples get near to the tomb when even from the time when Jesus was being tortured and during the crucifixion they cannot even touch him because of the Roman guards surrounding and blocking them?7 It was only when Jesus was declared and confirmed dead that his body was given to Joseph of Arimathea (some called him a secret follower of Christ) as granted to be buried. But still as soon as Jesus’ body was placed inside the tomb, there were guards assigned on duty to ensure security as requested by the chief priest (Matt 27:6266). So how can anybody explain what happen and how it happens that the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid was empty if “it proves nothing except that a body has disappeared” as West argues? As some would believe, the substitution theory (which the Islam’s hold) best explains this case.8 What is absolutely absurd in this speculations are that they failed to consider the fact that it was the Romans who executed the crucifixion which gives a clear cut proof that it was Jesus whom they crucified and that Jesus died (Matt 26:47-68; 27:11ff). That means, if substitution theory is to be taken into consideration, this will never explain the 6 Thomas H. West, Jesus and the Quest for Meaning: Entering Theology (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2001), 108. 7 The Romans would make it sure that nobody would mess up with them while they do their duty but allows the people to see how they execute the criminals which serves as a warning for them to be cautious of their ways under the Roman regime. As Josh McDowell pointed out, while the Jews boasted about killing Jesus, the Qur’an denies it and even the idea of resurrection. See Josh McDowell, The Islam Debate (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1987), 105. According to Geisler, “Muslims say Allah would not have allowed one of his prophets to die so awfully, so shamefully. Thus, Allah protected Jesus from death on the cross.” See Norman L. Geisler, Reasons for Belief: Easy-to-Understand Answers to 10 Essential Questions (Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, 2013), 154. As it appears to them, what the Bible was saying about Jesus’s death and resurrection was all lies and a make-belief story that Jesus died while in their speculations, it was someone else who was exactly in the same figure of Jesus. 8 whole event. Instead, this will create another humiliating issue to be solved which would even start from the trial of Jesus. Issues That Rejects the Substitution Theory One of the critical issues in terms of the substitution theory would be the identification of Jesus. It would be totally impossible for the crowd – especially the mother of Jesus – to identify him if indeed the Romans mistakenly took the wrong person to be crucified. Taking the mother of Jesus and other disciples out, assuming that the Romans did made a mistake pulling somebody in the same figure of Jesus, the Sadducees and Pharisees who certainly knew Jesus well, and who was so furious at him would themselves complain if that was not Jesus as they would not allow him to continue blaspheming (as to their thinking) that is why they were there to witness Jesus’ trials, crucifixion and death. Another critical issue would be on the side of the executioner who ensures Jesus’ death. Jerry Knoblet noted that even in Josephus’ letter to King Herod, he described how Jesus died and the continuous expression of the disciple’s love toward him even after he was resurrected as prophesied.9 Romans were very particular of their duty that they would not risk their lives for small negligence. Thomas Logie pointed out that the “Roman executioners were experts at determining death” that even placing the nail ensures a horrific torture and death.10 Otherwise as the normal practice, they would have to break the legs (as being nailed half-bent for some torture reason) of the crucified person to ensure the body’s weight would cause them death which is the reason why the Pilate sought to validate Jesus’ death (which was confirmed by the centurion) before giving the body to be buried (John 19:31-34). So to 9 Jerry Knoblet, Herod the Great (University Press of America, 2005), 191. 10 Thomas D. Logie, Lessons from Backyard Teachers (Trafford Publishing, 2014), 77. Ball also noted that Romans became such masters of the art (crucifixion) that nobody survives in this kind of excruciating punishment. See also David A. Ball, The Crucifixion and Death of a Man Called Jesus: From the Eyes of a Physician (CrossBooks, 2010), 83. say that Jesus did not literally died on the hands of the Romans would contradict their integrity and credibility. Therefore, the substitution theory would not even make a close assumption to clear the controversy on Jesus’ death and resurrection in relation to the empty tomb. Security Breached or Conspiracy? Following the burial of Jesus, another circulated rumor for the empty tomb was that Jesus’ body was stolen by his disciples while the guards were sleeping (Matt 28:11-15). If this is true, it would speak a lot about the Romans. As it was in the Roman custom, soldiers who were found to have neglected and violated their duties do not go unpunished. Rogers quoted Josephus’ writing saying “For they have laws which punish with death not merely desertion of the ranks, but even a slight neglect of duty... and some of the punishable 'crimes' were sleeping on guard duty….”11 Gabriel also indicated that “Among the more serious offenses for which the fustuarium (military punishment) was applied were sleeping on guard duty (and thus endangering the entire camp)….”12 The explanation enclosed thus explains why this offense is considered serious. Another important thing in the military practice, soldiers takes turn to rove around their post to ensure security. McDowell’s study on the Roman soldiers helps explain the efficiency of securing Jesus’ tomb from intruders or robbers. He contests that the tradition picture showing only one or two men guarding Jesus’ tomb with wooden spears and miniskirts would be ridiculous as a normal Roman guard unit was composed of 4-to-16-man security force and “each man was trained to protect six feet of 11 Cleon L. Rogers, The Topical Josephus: Historical Accounts That Shed Light on the Bible (Zondervan, 1999), 112. 12 Richard A. Gabriel, The Ancient World (Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007), 62. R. M. Mills himself who was an atheist was convinced how the Roman soldiers does their duty to ensure that that nothing slips their hands. See also R. W. Mills, TRUTH - NOT EXACTLY: A Book For Truth Seekers And Those They Care About (AuthorHouse, 2004), 59–61. In addition, in the case of Tacitus and Josephus’ non-Christian writings he said, “If this fact is not true, then no historical fact can be trusted.” The rest of their writings would then be not credited as trustworthy. Ibid., 62–63. ground.”13 In addition, he explained that they normally place four men in front of what they are supposed to guard while the other twelve takes their turn to sleep close to them which would be impossible to get passed through.14 Not even a close possibility to roll the tomb’s cover without being noticed. For this reason, to say that the disciples took Jesus’ body when the guards were asleep is not even close to the possibilities because first of all, those soldiers were well trained while the disciples were a normal ordinary people who were even scared of the Romans. Assuming they did wrestle with the guards on duty, it would still be impossible that those other sleeping guards will not be awaken at the possible noise of struggle. One thing, the soldiers knew very well that they will be putting their lives at risk if they neglect their duty. Tampering of the tomb’s Roman’s seal (which would only be placed in the presence of the Romans when Jesus’ corpse is confirmed placed inside) would be another issue to be resolved. But there was not any report that the guards were executed for the empty tomb case. There was not even any report heard as Wedderburn argued, that attempted to produce any human’s remains and claiming it to be Jesus’ nor any attempt of opening any tomb to disprove the empty tomb of Jesus.15 Therefore, to take West’ argument on the empty tomb into consideration would mean to ridicule the Romans and the credibility of the reports of the Bible. Just because we do not have a direct historical evidence of Jesus’ resurrection does not make a strong argument that resurrection in relation to the empty tomb is not possible. 13 Josh McDowell, Resurrection Factor (San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Pub., 1981), 64. 14 Ibid. 15 A. J. M. Wedderburn, Beyond Resurrection (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999), 61. JESUS’ PHYS ICAL APPEARANCE As one of the criteria for validating the authenticity of the resources, historians have closely considered reliability through the eye-witness testimony and being dated as the first century writings. The closer the date of the book is to the Jesus’ event, the more likely it is to be considered as reliable source. Hallucination Not Possible As it was in the first century, women have no reputation of a good and sensible talk in the community that is why as seen in Luke 24:11-12, Peter himself went to validate the testimony of the resurrected Christ. In the case of a stolen body contention, as Dan Story said, “If Jesus’ disciples stole his body in order to fabricate a new religion, they would never have used women initially to proclaim Jesus’ resurrection.16 As the Gospel records, women were the first eye-witnesses and women were also present when Jesus’ body was placed and secured inside the tomb. Several passages in the Bibles proves that Jesus was resurrected in the same but glorified body and appeared before his disciples. To Mary (Mark 16:9; John 20:11-18), other women (Matt 28:9-10), to Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5), on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-33), the disciples (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:26-29), at the sea of Galilee (John 21:1-23), five hundred followers (1 Cor. 15:6), James his brother (1 Cor. 15:7), before his ascension (Acts 1:4-9). These passages prove that Jesus appeared to his disciples many times in his glorified physical body. In the same way, reports show that Jesus was not only talking to them but also ate with them. To say that the people who saw the risen Christ were just hallucinating does not make a plausible explanation of the event because Jesus did not just appear at one time and in one person. As Josh and Sean McDowell wrote, “The people who saw Jesus were not the kind of 16 Story, The Christian Combat Manual, 201. people most likely to suffer delusions. They were a skeptical bunch, who were often slow to believe.”17 Even Jesus’ disciples as recorded were seen skeptical about the idea of Jesus being risen from the dead. This includes Thomas who said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it (John 20:25). Another disciple who did not even believe in Jesus was James – Jesus’ half-brother (John 7:5). This is one of the interesting proofs that discredits the idea of hallucination because several passages records that it was not until Jesus was resurrected and appeared to him personally (1 Cor. 15:7) that he believes and became one of the important figure in the early church development (cf. Acts 1:14; 15:13-21; Galatians 1:18-19). If indeed Jesus’ resurrection was just a result of hallucination, the Roman government and the Jewish leaders would have stopped this story by presenting Jesus’ corpse. THE OR IGIN OF CHRIST IAN FAITH Foundation for Christian Faith In logical terms and philosophical concept of causality, the effect is not possible without something causing it to happen unless for some phenomenal and/or supernatural cases. In other words, if there is no real death then there would also be no point of resurrection because resurrection happens only to the dead person. In the same way, there will be no sense of Christianity without the evidence of Christ’s resurrection. It is the resurrection event that fuels Christianity to exist. As apostle Paul was pointing out, the highlight of the Gospel is the reality of the resurrection of Christ (vid. 1 Corinthians 15:1ff.) that brings meaning to Christianity. Paul was firm in his personal encounter that what he saw 17 Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, The Unshakable Truth: How You Can Experience the 12 Essentials of a Relevant Faith (Harvest House Publishers, 2011), 292. McKinley also explained that “when a person has a hallucination they are projecting what is in their own minds... one cannot project an image that hasn't been impressed into their subconscious.” In addition, he said, "The Jewish understanding of 'resurrection' was that it would involve all mankind and would take place at the end of the age... which was foreign to first century Jews.” See also J. L. McKinley, Jesus and the Resurrection (Xulon Press, 2005), 27. in his Damascus journey was the risen Son of God being revealed to him for a purpose. If it were not so, then Jesus would have been lying and guilty of blaspheming about his claim which puts the believer’s faith in futility. Also Paul, who was a strong devoted faith defender of his religion – Judaism, who approves the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 because of the Gospel would not likely to risk his own life for a lie. It is also because of the resurrection that the followers did not have a hard time believing Jesus because he had built a relationship with them. That is why N.T. Wright rightly said that Christianity is not about some new moral teaching for people to follow as some would think and liken to other religion.18 Christianity is a faith-based relationship with the Son – Jesus Christ – and the belief that God raised him from the dead which validated his words before his crucifixion. It is not because Jesus performed miracles and signs of wonders that the Bible testifies that makes the believers believe because Satan also can (cf. 2 Thes. 2:9 and Rev. 16:14). But not the resurrection as Satan does not have the power to give life as God is the only author of life (Gen.1:26-27). In John 11:25 Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Revelation 1:18, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” If Jesus was not risen from the dead, then his claim will all just be a lie and blasphemy. That is why in a dialogue with Amy, Carlson explained that it is because of Christ’s resurrection that we believe in his claim as the eternal Son of God that we could also confidently put our trust in him as the Lord of our lives.19 Jason Carlson added, “The only reason we have any hope for salvation by faith in Jesus Christ is that Jesus not only died on a cross for our sins but also verified the efficacy of His death for us by conquering 18 N. T. Nicholas Thomas Wright, Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense (New York: HarperOne, 2006), 91–92. 19 Sean McDowell, ed., Apologetics For A New Generation (Eugene, Or.: Harvest House Publishers, 2009), 181–82. the grave.”20 This is in relation to Jesus’ words in John 2:19 which gives the disciples more reason to believe (John 2:22). Martha herself believes that there is a resurrection of life only after Jesus was risen from the dead which was a confirmation of what they have been taught although it tends to be apocalyptic (cf. John 11:24, Ezek. 37:11ff). In their book Tough Questions, Poole and Poling also explained that “Because of the resurrection, we know we are not trusting in a myth; we know that our sins are actually forgiven through the death of Christ. Certainty and forgiveness are based on the empty tomb.”21 It is this significance that believers know the assurance of salvation. John said, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal (1 John 5:13).” CONC LUS ION As what this paper aimed, it counters Thomas West’s argument saying “the empty tomb is not enough ground for proof of the resurrection of Christ as to him, “it proves nothing except that a body has disappeared.”22 Based on the facts provided, it would be fair enough to conclude that his argument has no basis and is weak as he is only basing on what is available to human’s reasoning. William Craig said, “If one denies that Jesus really did rise from the dead, then he must explain the disciple’s belief that He did rise either in terms of Jewish influences or in terms of Christian influences. Clearly, it could not be the result of the Christian influences, for at that time there was no Christianity. Since belief in Jesus’ resurrection was the foundation for the origin of the Christian faith, it cannot be a belief formed as a result of that faith.”23 Ibid., 182. Dan Story stated that it is what guarantees the believer’s resurrection to eternal life. See also Story, The Christian Combat Manual, 199. 20 Garry Poole and Judson Poling, Tough Questions Leader’s Guide, Rev. ed., The Tough Questions Series (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2003), 134. 21 22 West, Jesus and the Quest for Meaning, 108. 23 William Lane Craig, The Son Rises: The Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus (Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1981), 129. Therefore, to reject the reality of Jesus’ resurrection also requires a very probable argument to counter what the Bible has written but there has not been any report that supports the denial of this faith which proves the authenticity and validity of testimonies. BIBLIOGRAPHY Ball, David A. The Crucifixion and Death of a Man Called Jesus: From the Eyes of a Physician. CrossBooks, 2010. Craig, William Lane. The Son Rises: The Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1981. Gabriel, Richard A. The Ancient World. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. Geisler, Norman L. Reasons for Belief: Easy-to-Understand Answers to 10 Essential Questions. Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House, 2013. Knoblet, Jerry. Herod the Great. University Press of America, 2005. Logie, Thomas D. Lessons from Backyard Teachers. Trafford Publishing, 2014. Longenecker, Richard N., ed. Life in the Face of Death: The Resurrection Message of the New Testament. (McMaster New Testament studies). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub., 1998. McDowell, Josh. Resurrection Factor. San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Pub., 1981. ———. The Islam Debate. San Bernardino, CA: Here’s Life Publishers, 1987. McDowell, Josh, and Sean McDowell. The Unshakable Truth: How You Can Experience the 12 Essentials of a Relevant Faith. Harvest House Publishers, 2011. McDowell, Sean, ed. Apologetics For A New Generation. Eugene, Or.: Harvest House Publishers, 2009. McKinley, J. L. Jesus and the Resurrection. Xulon Press, 2005. Mills, R. W. TRUTH - NOT EXACTLY: A Book For Truth Seekers And Those They Care About. AuthorHouse, 2004. Poole, Garry, and Judson Poling. Tough Questions Leader’s Guide. Rev. ed. The Tough Questions Series. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2003. Portier, William L. Tradition and Incarnation: Foundations of Christian Theology. Paulist Press, 1994. Rogers, Cleon L. The Topical Josephus: Historical Accounts That Shed Light on the Bible. Zondervan, 1999. Skolnik, Fred, and Michael Berenbaum, eds. Encyclopaedia Judaica. 2nd ed. Vol. 17. 22 vols. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA in association with the Keter Pub. House, 2007. Story, Dan. The Christian Combat Manual: Helps for Defending Your Faith. Chattanooga, Tenn.: AMG Publishers, 2007. Wedderburn, A. J. M. Beyond Resurrection. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999. West, Thomas H. Jesus and the Quest for Meaning: Entering Theology. Fortress Press, n.d. Wright, N. T. Nicholas Thomas. Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense. New York: HarperOne, 2006.