Answering Objections: “The Resurrection of Jesus did not happen” Help students use the critical thinking questioning technique to answer common objections about the Resurrection of Jesus

Jesus didn’t actually die, he only faked his death and revived in the tomb. Romans were experts in executions. Romans were experts in executions. Romans beat and whipped Jesus relentlessly prior to crucifixion. Romans beat and whipped Jesus relentlessly prior to crucifixion. Factors of crucifixion include asphyxia, dehydration, heart failure- person not likely to survive. Factors of crucifixion include asphyxia, dehydration, heart failure- person not likely to survive. Romans guards killed if made a mistake Romans guards killed if made a mistake NT describes Jesus being stabbed in heart with blood and water coming out of his side. NT describes Jesus being stabbed in heart with blood and water coming out of his side. Why would disciple give up their Jewish faith for a false Messiah who faked his death? What inspiration of defeating death would Jesus give after the Roman crucifixioin? Would you follow him? Why would disciple give up their Jewish faith for a false Messiah who faked his death? What inspiration of defeating death would Jesus give after the Roman crucifixioin? Would you follow him?

Jesus didn’t actually die, he only faked his death and revived in the tomb. What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that? How did you come to that conclusion? How did you come to that conclusion? Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “Are you familiar with the way Romans executed people?” The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “Are you familiar with the way Romans executed people?” If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, “That is a great question, and I want to give you a great answer. Let me think about it, look into it and get back to you.”

The Disciples stole the body Disciples had no motivation to steal the body. Why would they suffer and die for something they KNEW was a lie? Disciples had no motivation to steal the body. Why would they suffer and die for something they KNEW was a lie? Elite Roman Guards were at the sealed tomb. Any attempt would be suicide for the thieves and if successful, death for the guards. Elite Roman Guards were at the sealed tomb. Any attempt would be suicide for the thieves and if successful, death for the guards. NT describes disciples as being scared, stunned, disillusioned after death of Jesus. They were in no condition to steal body. NT describes disciples as being scared, stunned, disillusioned after death of Jesus. They were in no condition to steal body. Weeks later they put their lives on the line by preaching passionately about the Resurrection. Why the change? Weeks later they put their lives on the line by preaching passionately about the Resurrection. Why the change? Does not explain the many appearances of Jesus. Does not explain the many appearances of Jesus.

The Disciples stole the body What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that? How did you come to that conclusion? How did you come to that conclusion? Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “What would be the motivation for the Disciples to steal the body?” The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “What would be the motivation for the Disciples to steal the body?” If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, “That is a great question, and I want to give you a great answer. Let me think about it, look into it and get back to you.”

The tomb was not empty. The witnesses went to the wrong tomb Does not explain the many appearances of Christ or the empty tomb. Does not explain the many appearances of Christ or the empty tomb. Does not explain how disciples went from cowards to missionaries for Jesus’s Resurrection Does not explain how disciples went from cowards to missionaries for Jesus’s Resurrection The Jewish/Roman authorities would have gladly shown them the “right” tomb, but they said the disciples stole the body. The Jewish/Roman authorities would have gladly shown them the “right” tomb, but they said the disciples stole the body. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were at the tomb when Jesus was buried. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were at the tomb when Jesus was buried. The Roman guards would have been a good landmark to know the location of the tomb. The Roman guards would have been a good landmark to know the location of the tomb. It was light enough to for the women to see the “gardener” (Jesus) and later Peter and John saw the grave clothes. It was light enough to for the women to see the “gardener” (Jesus) and later Peter and John saw the grave clothes.

The tomb was not empty. The witnesses went to the wrong tomb What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that? How did you come to that conclusion? How did you come to that conclusion? Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “What did the Jewish leaders at the time say about the empty tomb?” The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “What did the Jewish leaders at the time say about the empty tomb?” If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, “That is a great question, and I want to give you a great answer. Let me think about it, look into it and get back to you.”

Jesus’ resurrection is only a legend Early creed from I Corinthians 15:3-9 includes the Resurrection. It is only 3-7 years after Jesus’ death. Early creed from I Corinthians 15:3-9 includes the Resurrection. It is only 3-7 years after Jesus’ death. It takes generations for legends to develop. There was not enough time for a legend to develop. It takes generations for legends to develop. There was not enough time for a legend to develop. Resurrection account began in Jerusalem where it could have been easily corrected/refuted by Jews or Romans Resurrection account began in Jerusalem where it could have been easily corrected/refuted by Jews or Romans Does not explain the early accounts by Jews that the tomb was empty and the Disciples stole the body. Does not explain the early accounts by Jews that the tomb was empty and the Disciples stole the body. The Resurrection is written like a history account, with specific details, not a legend. The Resurrection is written like a history account, with specific details, not a legend. Why include embarrassing details (women at tomb first, fear of disciples) in the account? Why include embarrassing details (women at tomb first, fear of disciples) in the account?

Jesus’ resurrection is only a legend What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that? How did you come to that conclusion? How did you come to that conclusion? Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “How long do you think it takes for a legend to develop?” The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “How long do you think it takes for a legend to develop?” If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, “That is a great question, and I want to give you a great answer. Let me think about it, look into it and get back to you.”

The Disciples were hallucinating Hallucinations are rare, personal and not shared experiences Hallucinations are rare, personal and not shared experiences Jesus appeared before large number of people, at various times. Were they are hallucinating? Jesus appeared before large number of people, at various times. Were they are hallucinating? Does not explain the empty tomb. Jews or Romans could end it by producing the body. Does not explain the empty tomb. Jews or Romans could end it by producing the body. Jesus’ followers were not expecting him to rise from the dead Jesus’ followers were not expecting him to rise from the dead Does not explain why skeptics(James, Paul) would have a hallucinating. Does not explain why skeptics(James, Paul) would have a hallucinating.

The Disciples were hallucinating What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that? How did you come to that conclusion? How did you come to that conclusion? Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “Are you aware how hallucinations work?” The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “Are you aware how hallucinations work?” If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, “That is a great question, and I want to give you a great answer. Let me think about it, look into it and get back to you.”

It wasn’t Jesus on the Cross No 1 st century evidence to back it up. No 1 st century evidence to back it up. This is a Muslim explanation of the Resurrection- it was Judas on the cross This is a Muslim explanation of the Resurrection- it was Judas on the cross Contradicts eyewitness testimony and testimony from non-Christian sources Contradicts eyewitness testimony and testimony from non-Christian sources This theory came 600 years after the event. Was all the 1 st century evidence wrong? This theory came 600 years after the event. Was all the 1 st century evidence wrong? Does not explain the empty tomb. No body ever produced to crush claim of Resurrection. Does not explain the empty tomb. No body ever produced to crush claim of Resurrection.

It wasn’t Jesus on the Cross What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that? How did you come to that conclusion? How did you come to that conclusion? Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “Are you aware of when that theory was started?” The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “Are you aware of when that theory was started?” If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, “That is a great question, and I want to give you a great answer. Let me think about it, look into it and get back to you.”

New Testament writers copied Pagan Resurrection myths New Testament account of Resurrection written like history (with specific people, places) not like a myth. These were historical claims, not myth. New Testament account of Resurrection written like history (with specific people, places) not like a myth. These were historical claims, not myth. Pagan myth theory can’t explain the empty tomb, martyrdom of eyewitnesses, non-Christian corroboration of events Pagan myth theory can’t explain the empty tomb, martyrdom of eyewitnesses, non-Christian corroboration of events The only pre-Christian pagan account of god surviving death (cult god Osiris) is NOTHING like the account in the Gospels The only pre-Christian pagan account of god surviving death (cult god Osiris) is NOTHING like the account in the Gospels The first real parallel of the Gospel account of the Resurrection came 100 years after the origin of Christianity.- they ripped off our story The first real parallel of the Gospel account of the Resurrection came 100 years after the origin of Christianity.- they ripped off our story

New Testament writers copied Pagan Resurrection myths What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that? How did you come to that conclusion? How did you come to that conclusion? Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “What is the myth of Osiris and does it sound like the Resurrection described in the Bible?” The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “What is the myth of Osiris and does it sound like the Resurrection described in the Bible?” If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, “That is a great question, and I want to give you a great answer. Let me think about it, look into it and get back to you.”

It was disciples faith that led to their belief in Resurrection No 1 st century evidence for this theory No 1 st century evidence for this theory The scared, skeptical, stunned disciples not in the mind to invent and die for false Resurrection story. The scared, skeptical, stunned disciples not in the mind to invent and die for false Resurrection story. The Resurrection appearances of Jesus gave the disciples boldness. The Resurrection appearances of Jesus gave the disciples boldness. Does not account for the multiple appearances in Jeruselum where it could be disputed. Does not account for the multiple appearances in Jeruselum where it could be disputed. Does not acccount for empty tomb and why the Jewish authorities said the disciples stole the body. Does not acccount for empty tomb and why the Jewish authorities said the disciples stole the body.

It was disciples faith that led to their belief in Resurrection What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that? How did you come to that conclusion? How did you come to that conclusion? Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Fast Food Technique- I Want to make sure I understand your position. You are saying… Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) Have you ever considered a different way of looking at that position? For example,…(Present evidence against the position) The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “Why didn’t the Jewish authorities produce the body and crush Christianity in its infancy?” The advanced tactic is to do your best to present that evidence using questions not statements. For example, “Why didn’t the Jewish authorities produce the body and crush Christianity in its infancy?” If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, If you don’t know the answer to a question. Don’t fake it. Say, “That is a great question, and I want to give you a great answer. Let me think about it, look into it and get back to you.”