The Resurrection – Does if Matter it Jesus was Literally Raised from the Dead?

Jesus' Resurrection

Gavel and Bible

One of the more phenomenal claims made in the Bible and by Christians today is that three days after Jesus was crucified and buried, God raised Jesus from the dead.  How important is the fact of Jesus’ resurrection to the Christian faith?  Do Christians believe Jesus was literally raised from the dead or does Christian doctrine about the resurrection involve some sort of peripheral symbolic belief about having “new life” in Christianity which is celebrated on Easter?

As presented in this article, Jesus’ resurrection is not a peripheral doctrine of the Christian faith; rather, it lies at the very heart of the gospel message. As stated by the apostle Paul, if Jesus was not raised from the dead, the faith of Christians is in vain and Christians are to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:13-19).

If Jesus was Not Resurrected from the Dead, Christianity is False!

“The resurrection is the supreme vindication of Jesus’ divine identity and his inspired teaching.  It’s the proof of his triumph over sin and death.  It’s the foreshadowing of the resurrection of his followers.  It’s the basis of Christian hope.” [Lee Strobel, The Case For Easter, pg. 32 (1998)] Those who put their trust in Jesus’ work of atonement on the cross have a “living hope” (see, 1 Peter 1:3-5) because Jesus’ resurrection proves His atonement was sufficient to conquer death which is the consequence of our sin and rebellion against God.  The person who places their trust in Jesus to be their Lord and Savior has right standing before God and can live in eternal relationship with Him, not because of any righteousness the Christian is able to attain on his/her own but because of the righteousness they obtain through their relationship with Christ. (Phil. 3:9) (more>>).

As stated by Christian theologian, Norman Geisler, Jesus’ resurrection is so important to the Christian faith that the New Testament insists no one can be saved without it. [See, Norman Geisler, Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics, pg. 651 (1999)]

Pastor David Jeremiah (www.davidjeremiah.org) identifies five (5) reasons the apostle Paul gives for Jesus’ resurrection being so vital to the Christian faith:
  1. If Jesus was not resurrected, the gospel is mere foolishness (1 Cor. 15:14);
  2. If Jesus was not resurrected, the faith of a Christian is futile because it means their sins are not forgiven (1 Cor. 15:17);
  3. If Jesus was not resurrected, the profession of Christians is false because they are preaching something that isn’t true (1 Cor. 15:15);
  4. If Jesus was not resurrected, Christianity’s promise of a future life with God through his son, Jesus, is a fraud (1 Cor. 15:18);
  5. If Jesus was not resurrected, the prospects of an abundant and fulfilling Christian life on earth is a fantasy (1 Cor. 15:19)

There are many religions and belief systems which embrace a book, a prophet or a set of teachings but the Christian faith uniquely hinges on one historical event – the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Jesus’ resurrection verified everything Jesus said and everything he claimed to be.  — Andy Stanley

[See, Andy Stanley, One Simple Truth, “The Resurrection: It’s Essential”, aired on GMC on 4/8/12 (www.northpoint.org)]

Simply put, the importance of Jesus’ resurrection cannot be understated.  The resurrection is so foundational to the Christian faith that if Jesus was not raised from the dead, Christianity is false — the faith of Christians is in vain and Christians are to be pitied (1 Cor. 15:13-19).

For discussion regarding the evidence Christian apologists rely on in proposing that belief in God supernaturally raising Jesus from the dead is a rational belief, go here.

© 2012 by Andrina G. Hanson

Published:  Nov. 22, 2012 / Last Updated:  February 27, 2014

______________________________________________________

QUICK LINKS TO SOURCES REFERENCED OR RELIED ON IN THIS ARTICLE

John F. Ankerberg and John Weldon, Ready With an Answer(Harvest House Publishers, 1997)

William Lane Craig, Knowing the Truth About the Resurrection: Our Response to the Empty Tomb(Servant, 1988)

Norman L. Geisler, The Battle for the Resurrection: Updated Edition(Wipf & Stock Publishers; Updated Edition, 2004)

Gary R. Habermas, The Apologetics Study Bible: Understand Why You Believe, “Can Naturalistic Theories Account for the Resurrection?” pgs. 1621-1622 (Holman Bible Publishers, 2007)

Peter J. Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli, Handbook of Christian Apologetics(IVP Academic; 1St Edition, 1994)

Josh McDowell (compiled by Bill Wilson), A Ready Defense The Best Of Josh Mcdowell(Thomas Nelson, 1992)

Lee Strobel, The Case for Easter: Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection (Zondervan, 2004)