Learn how to defend the Resurrection! In this interview, Roger Patterson, writer, editor, and author with Answers in Genesis, discusses the historicity of the Resurrection with Tim Chaffey, our resident expert on the Resurrection and author of In Defense of Easter. This informative interview will equip you with answers to the most common objections and excite you to proclaim Christ’s Resurrection with boldness and passion.You can view the entire interview below.
The central focus of Christianity is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. It was this pivotal moment in history, when Jesus conquered death and the grave, that gives humanity hope for all eternity if only they will repent and trust in Christ for salvation. The Apostle Paul emphasized the supreme importance of the Resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (1 Corinthians 15:12–19)
The Resurrection is central to Christianity, and it happened in real time and history. Paul goes on to say with all surety and confidence, “Christ is risen from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:20). He grounds this in both the revelation of the Scriptures (verses 3–4), the testimony of those who had seen Him (verses 5–8), and the historicity of Adam and the entrance of death into creation (verses 21–22). Because of Christ’s triumphant Resurrection from the dead, we can have full confidence in the coming resurrection of the dead when we, in resurrected bodies, will dwell with Christ for eternity (1 Corinthians 15:35–49).
But many scholars and skeptics deny the historicity of the Resurrection of Christ. All kinds of theories—some of them quite wild—abound to explain away the testimony of Christ’s Resurrection. Defending the Resurrection is crucial, for belief in Christ’s Resurrection is integral to salvation (Romans 10:9) and, as Paul clearly showed, is foundational to our future and present hope.
Reference: Answers in Genesis, Avery Foley, https://answersingenesis.org
