According to eyewitnesses, a man named Jesus Christ demonstrated his power over death. They tell us that after he died on a cross and was buried, Jesus suddenly appeared to them alive on the third day. Then he was seen by other followers, including 500 people on a single occasion. Soon word spread everywhere that Jesus had risen from the dead. But could Jesus’ resurrection simply be a 2000 year old legend? Or is it based upon verifiable historical evidence?
If Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then the foundation for the Christian Faith would forever be destroyed. Former atheist and skeptic Josh McDowell spent more than seven hundred hours researching the evidence for the resurrection. He explains,
“I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is either one of the most…heartless hoaxes ever foisted upon the minds of men, OR it is the most fantastic fact of history.”[1]
Persuaded by the evidence, Josh’s research led him to the conviction that Jesus’ resurrection is “the most fantastic fact of history.”
Another ardent skeptic, English journalist Frank Morison believed Jesus’ resurrection was mythical and began research for a book proving his case. However, as he examined the evidence, Morison changed his mind as well as the theme of his book. What was it that changed Morison’s mind? Before we examine the evidence he discovered, let’s set the scene by reviewing what Jesus’ followers claim were “eyewitness accounts” of his death and resurrection.
Continued reading page 2 of 10 —”Did Jesus Rise From the Dead?”
