Resurrection or… Matthew 28:11-15 What Happened to the body of Jesus?

Dealing with Admitted Facts… There is no adequate cause known for the fact. Two or more causes may be known. One, and only one adequate cause may be known.

“The question as to the nature and reality of the resurrection lies outside the sphere of historical investigation.” (History of the Christian Church; I, p. 42) F.C. Baur (1792-1860)

“The question as to the nature and reality of the resurrection lies outside the sphere of historical investigation.” (History of the Christian Church; I, p. 42) The most important event upon which church history depends is beyond inquiry? F.C. Baur (1792-1860)

Joseph Ernest Renan (1823-1892) The Life Of Jesus… “Jesus will ever be the creator of the pure spirit of religion; the Sermon on the Mount will never be surpassed. Whatever revolution takes place will not prevent us attaching ourselves in religion to the grand intellectual and moral line at the head of which shines the name of Jesus . . . . The faith, the enthusiasm, the constancy of the first Christian generation is not explicable, except by supposing, at the origin of the whole movement, a man of surpassing greatness” (221). Joseph Ernest Renan (1823-1892)

Joseph Ernest Renan (1823-1892) The Life Of Jesus… “Let us place, then, the person of Jesus at the highest summit of human greatness” (222). Joseph Ernest Renan (1823-1892)

Joseph Ernest Renan (1823-1892) The Life Of Jesus… “His [Christ’s] perfect idealism is the highest rule of the unblemished and virtuous life . . . . The foundation of true religion is indeed his work” (220). Joseph Ernest Renan (1823-1892)

Joseph Ernest Renan (1823-1892) The Life Of Jesus… “His [Christ’s] perfect idealism is the highest rule of the unblemished and virtuous life . . . . The foundation of true religion is indeed his work” (220). If Jesus was not raised from the dead…did He not deceive us? (Mk. 8:31) Joseph Ernest Renan (1823-1892)

Joseph Ernest Renan (1823-1892) The Life Of Jesus… “His [Christ’s] perfect idealism is the highest rule of the unblemished and virtuous life . . . . The foundation of true religion is indeed his work” (220). If Jesus was not raised from the dead…did He not deceive us? (Mk. 8:31) Joseph Ernest Renan (1823-1892) What Foundation? (I Cor. 15:14-15)

Renan’s “Adequate” Causes… “in what place did the worms consume the lifeless corpse, which, on the Friday evening had been deposited in the sepulcher?” “It is possible that the body was taken away by some of the disciples, and by them carried into Galilee…”

Renan’s “Adequate” Causes… “in what place did the worms consume the lifeless corpse, which, on the Friday evening had been deposited in the sepulcher?” “It is possible that the body was taken away by some of the disciples, and by them carried into Galilee…” “It is also possible to suppose that the disappearance of the body was the work of the Jews…”

Renan’s “Adequate” Causes… “in what place did the worms consume the lifeless corpse, which, on the Friday evening had been deposited in the sepulcher?” “It is possible that the body was taken away by some of the disciples, and by them carried into Galilee…” “It is also possible to suppose that the disappearance of the body was the work of the Jews…” Lastly, who knows that the disappearance of the body was affected by the proprietor of the garden, or by the gardener…”

Renan’s “Adequate” Causes… “ardent expectation” – Matt. 16:21-22, Lk. 24:17-24; 41, Jn. 20:25 Why Peter’s rebuke? Why were two disciples still despondent? Why not believe when Jesus appeared? Why did John demand evidence?

Renan’s “Adequate” Causes… “ardent expectation” – Matt. 16:21-22, Lk. 24:17-24; 41, Jn. 20:25 Why Peter’s rebuke? Why were two disciples still despondent? Why not believe when Jesus appeared? Why did John demand evidence? “excited nerves” – hallucinations?

Why do we have no witnesses…who saw the resurrection occur? Gospel of Peter – 2-3rd century – account of resurrection of Jesus   “And in the night in which the Lord's day was drawing on, as the soldiers kept guard two by two in a watch, there was a great voice in the heaven; and they saw the heavens opened, and two men descend with a great light and approach the tomb. And the stone that was put at the door rolled of itself and made way in part; and the tomb was opened, and both the young men entered in.

Why do we have no witnesses…who saw the resurrection occur? Gospel of Peter – 2-3rd century – account of resurrection of Jesus   “ When therefore those soldiers saw it, they awakened the centurion and the elders, for they too were close by keeping guard. And as they declared what things they had seen, again they saw three men come forth from the tomb, and two of them supporting one, and a cross following them. And the heads of the two reached to heaven, but the head of him who was led by them overpassed the heavens. And they heard a voice from the heavens, saying, You have preached to them that sleep. And a response was heard from the cross, Yes.

Dealing with Admitted Facts… There is no adequate cause known for the fact. Two or more causes may be known. One, and only one adequate cause may be known.

Resurrection or… Matthew 28:11-15 “Evidence too compelling to ignore, but more demanding than one can accept”