If Christ Be Not Raised... (Part 2 of 2)

 

Before reading this post it is important that you read Part 1 of this series. You can find that post by clicking If Christ Be Not Raised… (Part 1 of 2).

In the first post of this series we saw that the resurrection is a necessary fact to what we believe. We then looked at the first three explanations for the empty tomb. We followed them to their logical conclusion and noticed that those three could not possibly be the case because in all instances the religious leaders could have simply produced the body and silenced the resurrection claims.


If you remember correctly, I provided you with two lists in the first part of this series; 3 important facts that suggest the empty tomb and 8 events surrounding the death, burial, and resurrection. For the sake of convenience I will list those again in this post.

3 Important Facts That Suggest the Empty Tomb

1. Enemies of Christ admitted the tomb was empty
2. 6-7 weeks after Jesus’ death the resurrection was being proclaimed
3. It would have been irrational for the Gospel writers to accept the claim of the resurrection if the tomb were not empty.

8 events surrounding the death, burial, and resurrection

1. Jesus was crucified
2. Jesus was buried in Joseph of Arimathea’s tomb
3. Jesus’ disciples were doubtful and disappointed after Jesus’ crucifixion
4. The tomb was discovered empty within 3 days
5. Jesus’ disciples saw Christ alive
6. Jesus’ disciples became bold proclaimers of the death and resurrection
7. The message of the resurrection was preached in Jerusalem within 6-7 weeks causing churches to spring up
8. Jesus’ disciples suffered and died for their message

Let’s jump right back into examining the explanations for the empty tomb.

The Swoon Theory

This theory was popularized several centuries ago and is often used still today. This theory says that Jesus didn’t die; He merely fainted from exhaustion and loss of blood. Everyone thought He was dead, but later He resuscitated and the disciples thought He resurrected.
This theory is proven wrong not only by believers in the resurrection but also by opponants of the resurrection. Logically this theory makes no sense. Skeptic David Fredrich Strauss (an opponant to the resurrection) said this about the swoon theory,

"It is impossible that a being who had stolen half-dead out of the sepulcher, who crept about weak and ill, wanting medical treatment, who required bandaging, strengthening and indulgence, and who still at last yielded to His sufferings, could have given to the disciples the impression that He was a conqueror of death and the grave, the Prince of Life, an impression which lay at the bottom of their future ministry. Such a resuscitation could only have weakened the impression which He had made upon them in life and in death, at the most could only have given it an elegiac voice, but could by no possibility have changed their sorrow into enthusiasm, have elevated their reverence into worship."

Remember, this man is not a believer. In fact, he doesn’t even believe in the resurrection. He has nothing to gain by proving the swoon theory false. This is an unbiased quote.

Think through all the physical beatings Jesus went through. Then the Romans took Him and hanged Him on a cross. The Romans had perfected the art of crucifixion. It would have been impossible to survive it. But we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and say Jesus didn’t die on the cross. The Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus were professional executioners. They saw dead people all the time. They knew what someone who was dead looked like. When Jesus was on the cross they didn’t break his legs because they saw that He was dead. But we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and say that the Roman soldiers made a mistake. They then took a spear and stabbed Him in the heart and blood and water came pouring out. The sack of water around His heart indicates that His heart literally exploded. I can’t figure out how someone could possibly survive if their heart exploded, but we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and say He did and He was merely passed out. He was then buried in a tomb and huge stones were put in front of the doorway. According to the swoon theory, three days later He woke up from His unconscious state and walked out of the tomb. I cannot figure out how someone that had been beaten, nailed to a cross for six hours, and stabbed in the heart could possibly move the huge stones in the doorway, but we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and say that He did. Jesus would have then had to fight off the Roman Guard that was guarding His tomb (keep in mind He was severely beaten, hung on a cross for six hours, and was stabbed in the heart). While all of these things are impossible we’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and say that He actually did all of these things.

If Jesus was so close to death at this point, why then would He appear to so many people and proclaim Himself to be Lord over death? It seems that He would have then gone into hiding for fear that the religious leaders would arrest Him again and finish Him off. Not to mention, as David Strauss pointed out, when his disciples saw Him in this state there would be no reason for them to be encouraged by their nearly dead Lord. But we see in Scripture that they were obviously encouraged by the sight of Jesus.

The Disciples Stole the Body

This is the idea that the disciples stole the body while the Roman Guard slept and made up a lie about Jesus resurrecting.

The fact that the disciples were depressed and afraid at the death of Jesus, as evidenced by their hiding in a room with the doors locked (John 20:19), provides serious evidence against this claim. That the disciples would all-of-a-sudden build up enough courage to take on the Roman Guard is a ridiculous thought. All the apostles suffered a great deal of beatings, stonings, and being thrown in jail. All but one of the apostles (John) were martyred for their belief in the resurrection. John wasn’t martyred but he was banished to an island. If the disciples had stolen the body, once they started getting persecuted for believing the resurrection they would have simply produced the body and told the truth about stealing the body, thus, denouncing the resurrection. No one will die for something they know to be a lie.

Jesus Rose From the Dead

This is the sixth and final explanation for the empty tomb. If you follow this explanation to it’s logical conclusion it proves that Jesus is who He says He is (God). It explains why the disciples were so bold in proclaiming His resurrection (because they served the Master over death). It explains why the Jewish leaders had to pay the Roman Guard to say the disciples stole the body (Matthew 28:11-15). And it proves that Jesus conquered sin and death providing salvation to all who will turn and trust in His saving work!

Testifying to the gospel of the grace of God,
Robbie
Acts 20:24

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If Christ Be Not Raised... | Part 1
If Christ Be Not Raised... | Part 2