Just some snapshot thoughts:
What of the capstone event in history, Jesus’ resurrection? Did it happen? There are two factors involved: the empty tomb, and the plausibility of the account of Jesus’ resurrection as the explanation for it.
Is the tomb empty? On this point the followers of Jesus and their contemporary opponents both agree. Christians began believing it was empty from the first day. Consequently, the resurrection could not simply be legend; legends take years. The opponents thought it was empty right away as well. What’s more, the opposing religious leaders of the day even anticipated such a resurrection, which explains why they sought further protection of the tomb. The day of the resurrection, they spread rumors that the disciples stole the body while the guards slept. (Really?!? While the guards slept?!? What kind of witnesses would those asleep be?) So, the leaders and the guards both knew it was empty (See Matthew 28:13-15.)
Refutations claiming that the disciples were deceived or hallucinating, or of Jesus not really dying after His torture, or Jewish leaders simply taking the body all affirm the emptiness of the tomb, in essence agreeing with the result of the resurrection. But, the disciples and hundreds of others seeing Jesus afterward and their radical change in character following the fact dispel the hallucination theory. The idea that a recently crucified man moved a multi-ton stone away from his tomb and overpowered elite, Roman, special-forces soldiers is ludicrous. And, if Jewish leaders took the body, they needed only to produce it to squelch talk of a resurrection. They didn’t have it; He is risen. And, His rising inspired zeal, renewed character, and also provides proof of all He said...of Himself and of us.
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