Dr. William
Lane Craig, is a theologian and scholar who has spent decades carefully
examining theological issues, in particular, the resurrection of Jesus. Dr.
Craig states these four facts “are widely accepted by New Testament scholars
today.”
Fact
number 1: After his crucifixion, Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathea in the
tomb.
Fact
number 2: On the Sunday following the crucifixion, Jesus’ tomb was found empty
by a group of his women followers.
Fact
number 3: On multiple occasions and under various circumstances, different
individuals and groups of people experienced appearances of Jesus alive from
the dead.
And…
Fact number 4: The original disciples believed that Jesus was risen from the
dead despite their having every reason not to.
There
are many more things which could be said in support of each of these four
statements but a great question to consider in light of these truths would be
this: What is the best explanation of these facts?
If
you are my friend on social media you already know my position on the matter,
but I will state it here, anyhow: the best explanation for these four facts is that
God, the Father, raised Jesus from the dead.
You
say, “Yeah, but if you believe that explanation it means you have to believe a
miracle occurred.”
That’s
true. But it’s okay. He’s God. He is capable of performing miracles. In fact,
what we consider miraculous is actually simple and natural to Almighty God.
“He
isn't here! [The tomb.] He is risen from the dead, just as he said would
happen.”
Matthew
28:6
