# Proof of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 24, 2018, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129 "2018-03-24T21:26:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/141 "2018-03-25T21:43:19Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > C.S.Lewis the man responsible for the most transparently stupid argument for the divinity of Jesus ever devised. > > [Lewis's trilemma - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis%27s_trilemma) I think liberal Christians may not that argument more than nonbelievers. Many theologians believe he never claimed divinity for himself (as pointed out in the link you provided). Since he didn’t leave behind any writings, we can’t be sure of what he did or didn’t claim. ---
**Author:** ![A\_Odom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@A\_Odom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Odom)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/142 "2018-03-25T21:55:21Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > And your main motivation for citing the book was apparently to emphasize just how _skeptical_ the author was before he looked at all of this wonderful evidence. > > Why not just cite the evidence? Evidence is cited in the book. It is 90 pages long, plus the references. ---
**Author:** ![A\_Odom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@A\_Odom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Odom)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/143 "2018-03-25T21:59:09Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > I think liberal Christians may not that argument more than nonbelievers. Many theologians believe he never claimed divinity for himself (as pointed out in the link you provided). Since he didn’t leave behind any writings, we can’t be sure of what he did or didn’t claim. All we have are eyewitnesses to believe or not, plus the rest of the Bible as a useful reference. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/144 "2018-03-25T22:03:49Z")
> [@A\_Odom](#): > > All we have are eyewitnesses to believe or not, plus the rest of the Bible as a useful reference. So we all agree that there is no reliable evidence. This could be the first time I’ve seen a Great Debate come around to a consensus. ---
**Author:** ![A\_Odom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@A\_Odom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Odom)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/145 "2018-03-25T22:11:53Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > So we all agree that there is no reliable evidence. > > This could be the first time I’ve seen a Great Debate come around to a consensus. Not a consensus at all on the evidence for the resurrection. I was referring to whether a person has a basis for determining Jesus’ divinity - one of the many off-shoots from the initial discussion. Some believe that He is of the same nature as God, the Father, and some believe that He is not. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/146 "2018-03-25T22:15:02Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > So we all agree that there is no reliable evidence. > > This could be the first time I’ve seen a Great Debate come around to a consensus. Since the yea argument seems to boil down to “the stories related in the Bible are historically true because they’re in the Bible” , I guess we pretty much have. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/147 "2018-03-25T22:17:07Z")
> [@A\_Odom](#): > > Not a consensus at all on the evidence for the resurrection. I was referring to whether a person has a basis for determining Jesus’ divinity - one of the many off-shoots from the initial discussion. Some believe that He is of the same nature as God, the Father, and some believe that He is not. Heck, the Church didn’t even settle that one for a few centuries. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/148 "2018-03-25T22:18:43Z")
> [@A\_Odom](#): > > All we have are eyewitnesses to believe or not, plus the rest of the Bible as a useful reference. How many eyewitnesses have you spoken to? ---
**Author:** ![A\_Odom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@A\_Odom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Odom)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/149 "2018-03-25T22:18:52Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > So your example of the two Jews who were born again does not mean they did so because the evidence was strong. You cannot conclude why they were converted without a first-hand account from them - written or spoken. I did talk to the two I met, I heard their account, and conclude they were born again because they believe that Jesus is the Messiah. That is strong for a person born of Jewish parents. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/150 "2018-03-25T22:20:08Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Are you actually equating the amount of evidence in support of evolution to the amount of evidence in support of the Jesus that is promoted in the New Testament? Well, you’ve read King Kong, right? And you believe _that_! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![A\_Odom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@A\_Odom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Odom)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/151 "2018-03-25T22:21:23Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > Heck, the Church didn’t even settle that one for a few centuries. From what I know, scripture settles it, not the Church. Scripture was in the hands of few individuals for centuries. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/152 "2018-03-25T22:22:10Z")
> [@A\_Odom](#): > > You cannot conclude why they were converted without a first-hand account from them - written or spoken. I did talk to the two I met, I heard their account, and conclude they were born again because they believe that Jesus is the Messiah. That is strong for a person born of Jewish parents. Again, who cares _that_ folks believe something? What’s interesting is _why_ they believe it. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/153 "2018-03-25T22:22:12Z")
> [@A\_Odom](#): > > Evidence is cited in the book. It is 90 pages long, plus the references. What is the likelihood that all the evidence that is necessary for the divinity and resurrection of Jesus Christ is contained in a 90 page book? If we were to ask a member of the Christian clergy or a student of the seminary, would they also refer us to the same book for the evidence you claim can be found therein? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/154 "2018-03-25T22:23:24Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Well, you’ve read King Kong, right? And you believe _that_! 🙂 Hell, I saw the documentary! ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/155 "2018-03-25T22:27:34Z")
> [@A\_Odom](#): > > From what I know, scripture settles it, not the Church. Scripture was in the hands of few individuals for centuries. It took a long time to settle the matter of what was scripture and what wasn’t. If you believe it because scripture says it, that’s your right. However, there are many Christians who don’t see it the same way. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/156 "2018-03-25T22:30:10Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > What is the likelihood that all the evidence that is necessary for the divinity and resurrection of Jesus Christ is contained in a 90 page book? If we were to ask a member of the Christian clergy or a student of the seminary, would they also refer us to the same book for the evidence you claim can be found therein? Depends on the clergy and seminary. I have a friend who Sent to seminary at Vanderbilt and is a Methodist minister. I’m quite sure that book wouldn’t pass muster with her. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/157 "2018-03-25T22:31:02Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Well, you’ve read King Kong, right? And you believe _that_! 🙂 King Kong IS real. Who do you think was holding Fey Wray in the movie? A 50 foot guy in a monkey suit? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/158 "2018-03-25T22:35:27Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > King Kong IS real. Who do you think was holding Fey Wray in the movie? A 50 foot guy in a monkey suit? > **[Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Gojirasaurus](https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/gojirasaurus)** > > Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal - Gojirasaurus ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/159 "2018-03-25T22:43:51Z")
> [@A\_Odom](#): > > You cannot conclude why they were converted without a first-hand account from them - written or spoken. I did talk to the two I met, I heard their account, and conclude they were born again because they believe that Jesus is the Messiah. That is strong for a person born of Jewish parents. But it does not reveal any evidence, only strong belief. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129/160 "2018-03-25T22:48:58Z")
> [@A\_Odom](#): > > Y **ou cannot conclude why they were converted without a first-hand account from them - written or spoken.** I did talk to the two I met, I heard their account, and conclude they were born again because they believe that Jesus is the Messiah. That is strong for a person born of Jewish parents. Exactly how many ‘first hand accounts’ do we currently have for the alleged resurrection? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proof-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus-christ/811129.md?page=9)