A class taught at MIT by John Oakes, PhD 10/17/09. See below for notes. See EFC store for the recording.

1. Is it the Central Event in Human History?Is it the Central Event in Human History?
OrOr
Is it a fraud?Is it a fraud?

2. You are Invited!
2010 International Christian Evidence
Conference
Concordia University
Irvine, CA
Evolution: Four Views

3. Also…
Apologetics Research Society Presents
January 2010
Certificate Program in Christian Apologetics
Classes on DVD
For information: joakes01@san.rr.com

4. Why is the resurrection so important?Why is the resurrection so important?
 1 Cor 15:13-19 If Christ has not been1 Cor 15:13-19 If Christ has not been
raised then your faith is futile;raised then your faith is futile; you are stillyou are still
in your sins.in your sins.
 If Jesus was raised, then there is life afterIf Jesus was raised, then there is life after
death.death.

5. “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof”
David Hume

6. Jesus of Nazareth wasJesus of Nazareth was
crucified under Pontiuscrucified under Pontius
Pilate in JerusalemPilate in Jerusalem

7. From the very beginning, the churchFrom the very beginning, the church
unanimously claimed that Jesusunanimously claimed that Jesus
was resurrectedwas resurrected

8. The tomb was emptyThe tomb was empty

9. Jesus of Nazareth was crucifiedJesus of Nazareth was crucified
under Pontius Pilate inunder Pontius Pilate in
JerusalemJerusalem

10. Josephus AD 38-100
About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man. For he was one
who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such
people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews
and many of the Greeks. When Pilate, upon hearing him
accused by men of the highest standing amongst us, had
condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first
place come to love him did not give up their affection for
him. The prophets of God had prophesied these and
countless other marvelous things about him. And the tribe of
Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not
disappeared.
Antiquities 18:3:3

12. To squelch the rumor [that he had started the GreatTo squelch the rumor [that he had started the Great
fire in Rome], Nero created scapegoats and subjectedfire in Rome], Nero created scapegoats and subjected
to the most refined tortures those whom the commonto the most refined tortures those whom the common
people called ‘Christians,’ [a group] hated for theirpeople called ‘Christians,’ [a group] hated for their
abominable crimes. Their name comes from Christ,abominable crimes. Their name comes from Christ,
who, during the reign of Tiberius, had been executedwho, during the reign of Tiberius, had been executed
by the procurator Pontius Pilate.by the procurator Pontius Pilate.
AnnalsAnnals 15.4415.44

13. On the eve of Passover they hung Yeshu
Babylonian Sanhedrin 43a-b
Talmud (1st
and 2nd
Century AD)

14. From the very beginning, the churchFrom the very beginning, the church
unanimously claimed that Jesus wasunanimously claimed that Jesus was
resurrectedresurrected
Acts 2:24 But God raised him fromActs 2:24 But God raised him from
the dead…the dead…
How else to explain the growth of theHow else to explain the growth of the
church?church?

15. The tomb was emptyThe tomb was empty
If not….If not….

16. 1.1. Jesus’ body was taken from the tomb.Jesus’ body was taken from the tomb.
2.2. Jesus did not actually die (swoonJesus did not actually die (swoon
theory).theory).
3.3. Jesus was bodily resurrected from theJesus was bodily resurrected from the
dead.dead.

17. The Stolen Body TheoryThe Stolen Body Theory
 Who would have stolen the body?Who would have stolen the body?
– The Jews?The Jews?
– The Romans?The Romans?
– The disciples?The disciples?
 Could they have stolen the body?Could they have stolen the body?
 Did they, in fact, steal the body?Did they, in fact, steal the body?

18. The Swoon TheoryThe Swoon Theory
 Beaten to the point of near death.Beaten to the point of near death.
 No food or water for more than twoNo food or water for more than two
days.days.
 Crucified and died.Crucified and died.
 Pierced with a sword.Pierced with a sword.
 Separated blood and “water” (plasma)Separated blood and “water” (plasma)

19. The Mass HallucinationThe Mass Hallucination
TheoryTheory
 The women at the tomb.The women at the tomb.
 Peter and John.Peter and John.
 The twelve apostles, includingThe twelve apostles, including
doubting Thomas.doubting Thomas.
 Many other appearances.Many other appearances.
 Over 500 witnesses.Over 500 witnesses.
 Do hallucinations eat fish?Do hallucinations eat fish?

20. Genesis 22:1-12Genesis 22:1-12 Abraham received IsaacAbraham received Isaac
back from the dead on the third dayback from the dead on the third day ..
(Hebrews 11:17-19)(Hebrews 11:17-19)
Jonah 1:7Jonah 1:7 Jonah was raised from the deadJonah was raised from the dead
on the third day.on the third day. (Matthew 11:40 For as Jonah(Matthew 11:40 For as Jonah
was three days and three nights….)was three days and three nights….)

21. Prophecies of the ResurrectionProphecies of the Resurrection
 Feast of Firstfruits. Lev 23:9-14Feast of Firstfruits. Lev 23:9-14
 Jesus is the firstfruit from among the dead.Jesus is the firstfruit from among the dead.
His resurrection is a promise of ours.His resurrection is a promise of ours.
Colossians “the first fruit from the dead.”Colossians “the first fruit from the dead.”
 Romans 6:2-7 If we have been united withRomans 6:2-7 If we have been united with
him in his death, we will certainly also behim in his death, we will certainly also be
united with him in his resurrection.united with him in his resurrection.

22. Implications of the Resurrection:Implications of the Resurrection:
 Validates the claims of JesusValidates the claims of Jesus
– John 11 I am the resurrection and the lifeJohn 11 I am the resurrection and the life
 It confirms that we, too, will be resurrected.It confirms that we, too, will be resurrected.
– 1 Peter 1:3-41 Peter 1:3-4
 It confirms that there will be a judgmentIt confirms that there will be a judgment
day.day.
 Our doubts become much less significant.Our doubts become much less significant.
– What about…. Jesus was raised from the dead!What about…. Jesus was raised from the dead!

23. What Is Your Reasonable Response?What Is Your Reasonable Response?
 John 11:45-48 Either;John 11:45-48 Either;
– Put your faith in Jesus orPut your faith in Jesus or
– Radically reject him and all he stood for.Radically reject him and all he stood for.
A Challenge:
Have Resurrection Faith.

24. www.evidenceforchristianity.orgwww.evidenceforchristianity.org