This happened a long time ago. There is no video and no voice recording. The Bible wasn't written until the third or fourth century. You're talking about miracles. Besides, David Hume proved that extraordinary events require extraordinary proof, and you just don't have the proof.
Instead of following the rules of logic on this page, we treat the Bible as a historical document and look for the best explanation for the most significant historical event. To evaluate this, we look at the writing's date, description of the event, and, importantly, eyewitness accounts.
Biblical scholars, including skeptics and non-believers, generally accept Paul's writings more than the other writers. Paul was well-educated, hated Christianity and Christians in his earlier life. Prior to his conversion, he did his best to destroy it. He hunted down Christians, had them tortured, and probably approved of their execution.
Resurrection or Legend
1. The discovery of the empty tomb.
2. The appearance of Jesus to numerous people after his burial
3. The disciples and others believed they saw the resurrected Jesus.
In studying history, the time from the event to its recording is more important than the time of the event to the present day. Within five years after the resurrection, the Apostle Paul traveled to Jerusalem to visit Peter and James. This visit is recorded in Galatians 1:18.
What he learned from the visit is recorded in I Corinthians 15: 3-8: "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me."
Note the rhythmic nature of the verses; it is not Paul's writing style. This information was easily memorized in a society where less than 10% of the population could read. It would have been spread orally before being shared with Paul within five years of the resurrection.
Regardless of worldview, nearly all scholars agree that something happened in the early stages of the first century. Christianity began, eyewitnesses spread this news worldwide, and men lost their lives, proclaiming they saw the risen Jesus. But is there historical evidence for us to believe in today's world?
Eyewitnesses reports help report a historical event. However, some are stronger than others. Below is the acronym to help remember eyewitness accounts resurrected Jesus.
MEEE or ME X 3
M Multiple and individual eyewitnesses. On several occasions, Jesus appeared to groups, including one group of over 500 people. In addition, Jesus met with several people, including the 11 disciples, James, his brother, and the apostle Paul.
E Embarrassing accounts. People do not makeup lies that are embarrassing to them. In that part of the world, and at that time, it was embarrassing that women were the brave ones to discover the empty tomb. If someone was making up a new religion, would they start out with women discovering the empty tomb? Of course not. women's testimony in a court of law was nearly useless in the culture of that time.
The guys were crying in their wine. I'm sure a guy could lose his "man card" for a story like this one.
E Early accounts. Eyewitness accounts are closer to an actual event and more accurate than later accounts. For example, nearly all scholars agree that Paul visited Peter and James (Jesus' half-brother) when he learned the Apostles' creed. The meeting recorded in Galatians 1: 18 occurred within five years of the resurrection.
Enemy attestation Bias is unlikely from a neutral or hostile source. Certainly, the apostle Paul was a hostile source. Before God appeared to Paul, he hated Christians and punished them. Per John 7:5, James, Jesus's half-brother, did not agree with what Jesus said until after the resurrection.
Note the illustration on the left.
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