“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen.” – Luke 24:5b (ESV)
The resurrection of Jesus is central to Christianity, regarded by believers as the pivotal event in history. While not all atheists misunderstand the resurrection, some common errors persist in objections raised against it. Below are 15 key misunderstandings, along with responses grounded in historical evidence and scholarship.
1. The Resurrection is a Myth Added Later
Some atheists argue that the resurrection was a later addition to Christian theology. However, scholars overwhelmingly agree that belief in the resurrection emerged immediately after Jesus’ death. Early creeds, such as the one found in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, date to within a few years of the crucifixion and affirm the resurrection.
N.T. Wright notes, “The only explanation for the emergence of Christianity as a messianic movement is that virtually all early Christians believed that Jesus of Nazareth had been raised bodily from the dead.”¹
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “Early Christians invented the resurrection decades later to gain followers.”
- Response: The early creeds and the rapid spread of resurrection belief within a hostile Jewish context make this claim untenable.
¹ N.T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003).
2. The Disciples Stole the Body
The stolen body theory assumes the disciples conspired to fake the resurrection. This claim fails to explain their willingness to die for their belief in the resurrection, as liars are unlikely to endure persecution for a known falsehood.
J.P. Moreland observes, “People will die for what they believe to be true, but they will not die for what they know to be false.”²
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “The disciples could have hidden the body to make it appear Jesus rose.”
- Response: The guarded tomb and the disciples’ radical transformation make this theory implausible.
² J.P. Moreland, Scaling the Secular City: A Defense of Christianity (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1987).
3. Hallucinations Explain the Appearances
Some argue that the post-resurrection appearances were hallucinations caused by grief. However, hallucinations are typically individual experiences and cannot account for group appearances, such as those to the disciples or the 500 witnesses mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:6.
Gary Habermas explains, “Hallucinations are not collective. They are private occurrences, and the resurrection appearances were reported by multiple individuals and groups over time.”³
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “Mass hallucinations are possible under certain conditions.”
- Response: The diversity of appearances, including to skeptics like Paul and James, cannot be explained by hallucinations.
³ Gary R. Habermas, The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 2004).
4. The Empty Tomb is Fictional
Critics often claim the empty tomb narrative was fabricated. Yet, the empty tomb is supported by multiple independent sources and the testimony of women, whose witness was undervalued in the ancient world—an unlikely choice for fabricators.
William Lane Craig notes, “The discovery of the empty tomb by women is highly probable… given the low status of women in first-century Jewish society.”⁴
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “The empty tomb story was invented to validate the resurrection.”
- Response: The use of women as primary witnesses reflects historical authenticity rather than fabrication.
⁴ William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008).
5. The Resurrection Violates Science
Some atheists reject the resurrection as scientifically impossible. However, miracles by definition are rare, supernatural events that transcend natural laws.
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “Resurrections are scientifically impossible.”
- Response: Science describes natural processes but cannot rule out supernatural events. The resurrection claim is historical, not scientific.
Scientist John Polkinghorne states, “The resurrection is not an event within history that disrupts science, but a new reality breaking into history from beyond.”⁵
⁵ John Polkinghorne, The Faith of a Physicist (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994).
6. Contradictions in Gospel Accounts Disprove the Resurrection
Critics point to minor differences in the Gospel accounts as evidence of fabrication. However, the core details—Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection—are consistent across all accounts.
Simon Gathercole notes, “The variations in detail do not undermine the overall narrative but instead confirm independent traditions.”⁶
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “The Gospels contradict each other on key details.”
- Response: Variations in secondary details reflect independent sources, strengthening their reliability.
⁶ Simon Gathercole, The Gospel Accounts and Eyewitness Testimony (London: T&T Clark, 2018).
7. The Resurrection is Borrowed from Pagan Myths
Some claim the resurrection story was plagiarized from ancient pagan myths. However, the supposed parallels are weak, and Jewish monotheists were unlikely to adopt pagan ideas.
Craig A. Evans explains, “Jewish expectations of resurrection were rooted in eschatology, not pagan myth. The context is unmistakably Jewish.”⁷
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “The resurrection story is just another dying-and-rising god myth.”
- Response: The resurrection is distinct from pagan myths and firmly rooted in Jewish beliefs.
⁷ Craig A. Evans, Jesus and the Manuscripts (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 2020).
Clark, 2018).
8. The Wrong Tomb Theory
This theory suggests the women and disciples mistakenly went to the wrong tomb. However, the location of Jesus’ burial was well-known, as it was Joseph of Arimathea’s personal tomb. Additionally, both the Jewish and Roman authorities could have easily produced the body to refute resurrection claims.
Craig Blomberg explains, “The involvement of a known figure like Joseph of Arimathea makes it implausible that the location of the tomb was forgotten or confused.”⁸
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “The women mistakenly visited the wrong tomb.”
- Response: The tomb’s location was publicly known, and authorities had every reason to correct any mistake.
⁸ Craig Blomberg, The Historical Reliability of the Gospels (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2007).
Clark, 2018).
9. The Disciples Fabricated the Story for Power
Critics argue the resurrection was fabricated by the disciples to gain influence or power. Yet the disciples faced persecution, imprisonment, and martyrdom, which contradicts the notion of personal gain.
N.T. Wright observes, “The idea of resurrection as a power-grab is incompatible with the self-sacrificial, counter-cultural message of the early Christian movement.”⁹
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “The disciples made up the resurrection for personal gain.”
- Response: Their willingness to suffer and die for their testimony demonstrates genuine conviction, not fabrication.
⁹ N.T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003).
10. Paul Invented Christianity and the Resurrection
Some suggest Paul created the resurrection narrative and shaped Christianity into what it is today. However, Paul explicitly ties his teachings to earlier apostolic tradition and affirms the testimony of eyewitnesses.
Gary Habermas explains, “Paul’s account of the resurrection aligns with the Jerusalem apostles, demonstrating a shared foundational belief.”¹⁰
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “Paul hijacked Jesus’ teachings to create Christianity.”
- Response: Paul’s writings consistently reflect the beliefs of the earliest Christians and are rooted in firsthand testimonies.
¹⁰ Gary R. Habermas, The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ (Joplin: College Press, 1996).
11. A Physical Resurrection Wasn’t Believed by the Early Church
Some claim the early Christians believed in a spiritual, not physical, resurrection. However, Jewish eschatological beliefs inherently involved a bodily resurrection, and the New Testament emphasizes Jesus’ tangible, physical appearances.
Richard Bauckham writes, “The emphasis on Jesus eating and being touched in the resurrection accounts reflects the early church’s belief in a bodily resurrection.”¹¹
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “The resurrection was only spiritual, not physical.”
- Response: The Jewish worldview and Gospel narratives leave no room for a purely spiritual resurrection.
¹¹ Richard Bauckham, Jesus and the Eyewitnesses: The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006).
12. Christianity Spread Because of Roman Politics
Some argue Christianity succeeded due to political convenience, especially after Constantine. However, the rapid spread of Christianity in the first three centuries occurred under intense persecution, long before Constantine’s conversion.
Rodney Stark explains, “The explosive growth of Christianity cannot be attributed to politics, as it thrived in the face of Roman hostility and persecution.”¹²
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “Christianity succeeded because it was politically advantageous.”
- Response: Christianity’s growth despite opposition demonstrates that its appeal lay in the transformative power of its message, not political factors.
¹² Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1996).
13. Resurrection Belief is Based on Blind Faith
Critics argue that belief in the resurrection is purely faith-based and lacks evidence. In reality, Christianity is rooted in historical claims, supported by evidence like the empty tomb, eyewitness testimony, and early creeds.
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “Faith in the resurrection isn’t based on evidence.”
- Response: The historical foundation of the resurrection, including verifiable facts, distinguishes it from blind faith.
William Lane Craig notes, “The resurrection is a matter of historical inquiry, not blind faith. It stands as one of the best-attested events in ancient history.”¹³
¹³ William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008).
14. Jesus Didn’t Actually Die
The swoon theory suggests Jesus survived the crucifixion and later appeared alive. However, Roman execution methods were brutal and thorough, and Jesus’ death was confirmed by multiple witnesses.
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “Jesus didn’t die; He only appeared dead.”
- Response: The medical evidence and historical accounts make survival impossible under the circumstances of crucifixion.
Alexander Metherell, M.D., Ph.D., states, “The idea that Jesus survived crucifixion is absurd. He was dead long before being taken down from the cross.”¹⁴
¹⁴ Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998).
15. The Resurrection Doesn’t Matter
Some claim the resurrection is irrelevant to modern life. Yet, it is the cornerstone of Christianity, offering hope and purpose rooted in God’s victory over sin and death.
C.S. Lewis noted, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.”¹⁵
Anticipating Objection:
- Objection: “The resurrection doesn’t have any relevance to modern life.”
- Response: If true, the resurrection validates Jesus’ identity and provides a foundation for faith, morality, and eternal hope.
¹⁵ C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: HarperOne, 1952).
The First-Century Belief in the Physical Resurrection of Christ
The resurrection of Jesus Christ was not an afterthought or theological embellishment but the central proclamation of the earliest Christian community. The belief in the physical resurrection of Jesus is deeply rooted in first-century testimony, as evidenced by ancient sources, and continues to be acknowledged by modern scholars, including those who are secular, skeptical, or Jewish. Below, we examine what the earliest sources reveal about first-century Christians’ belief in the physical resurrection and provide commentary from contemporary scholars.
Evidence from Very Early Sources
- 1 Corinthians 15:3–8
The apostle Paul writes:
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.”
This passage, considered an early creed by most scholars, dates to within 3–5 years of Jesus’ death. It explicitly affirms Jesus’ physical resurrection and appearances to individuals and groups, underscoring that this belief was central to the Christian faith from the beginning.
- Acts 2:32
In Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, he boldly declares:
“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.”
This proclamation highlights the apostolic emphasis on Jesus’ resurrection as a physical event. The apostles’ willingness to preach this message publicly, despite the threat of persecution, demonstrates their firm conviction in its reality.
- Luke 24:39
The risen Jesus says to His disciples:
“See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
This passage emphasizes the tangible, physical nature of Jesus’ resurrection, directly countering any notion of a purely spiritual event.
- The Writings of Ignatius of Antioch (c. 110 A.D.)
Ignatius, an early Church Father, writes in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans:
“For I know and believe that He was in the flesh even after the resurrection.”
This statement reflects the early Christians’ insistence on the physical reality of Jesus’ resurrection, rejecting any spiritualized interpretations.
Modern Scholars on Early Christian Belief
Even secular, skeptical, and Jewish scholars recognize the centrality of the resurrection to the early Christian movement:
- Bart Ehrman (Agnostic Historian):
“It is a historical fact that some of Jesus’ followers came to believe that He had been raised from the dead soon after His execution.”¹⁶ - Gerd Lüdemann (Atheist New Testament Scholar):
“It may be taken as historically certain that Peter and the disciples had experiences after Jesus’ death in which Jesus appeared to them as the risen Christ.”¹⁷ - Geza Vermes (Jewish Historian):
“The resurrection is the central pillar of the faith of the first Christians. It is undeniable that they believed they had seen the risen Jesus.”¹⁸ - E.P. Sanders (Historical Jesus Scholar):
“That Jesus’ followers (and later Paul) had resurrection experiences is, in my judgment, a fact. What the reality was that gave rise to the experiences I do not know.”¹⁹ - Pinchas Lapide (Jewish Theologian):
“I accept the resurrection of Jesus not as an invention of the community of disciples, but as a historical event.”²⁰ - Marcus Borg (Jesus Seminar Scholar):
“I do not doubt that the disciples had experiences of the risen Christ. To them, Jesus was not simply a figure of the past but one who continued to be a reality in the present.”²¹
Christian Scholars on Early Christian Belief
Christian scholars emphasize the physical resurrection of Jesus as the foundation of the early Church and the explanation for its rapid growth and enduring impact:
- William Lane Craig (Philosopher and Apologist):
“The resurrection is the only adequate explanation for the empty tomb, Jesus’ appearances, and the transformation of the disciples.”²² - N.T. Wright (New Testament Scholar):
“The only way to explain the rise of Christianity is to take the resurrection seriously as a physical, historical event. It cannot be reduced to subjective visions or metaphors.”²³ - Michael Licona (Historian and Apologist):
“The physical resurrection of Jesus was the heartbeat of the earliest Christians’ faith and the driving force behind their willingness to suffer and die for the Gospel.”²⁴ - Craig Keener (Historian):
“The resurrection accounts are unparalleled in ancient history and reflect the early Christians’ conviction that they had encountered the risen Christ in a tangible, bodily form.”²⁵
Final Challenge
The belief in the physical resurrection of Jesus was not an invention of later generations but the very heartbeat of the earliest Christian movement. Even skeptics agree that the disciples and first-century Christians sincerely believed in the resurrection, and the early sources affirm their conviction in its physical reality. Could it be that the transformative power of this belief points to its truth? If Jesus truly rose from the dead, it validates His claims to divinity and offers hope to all who believe in Him: victory over death and eternal life.
As N.T. Wright states, “The resurrection is not just an extraordinary event in history—it is the defining event, the turning point, the vindication of God’s purposes, and the hope of the world.”
¹⁶ Bart Ehrman, How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee (New York: HarperOne, 2014).
¹⁷ Gerd Lüdemann, The Resurrection of Jesus: History, Experience, Theology (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994).
¹⁸ Geza Vermes, The Resurrection (London: Penguin Books, 2008).
¹⁹ E.P. Sanders, The Historical Figure of Jesus (London: Penguin Books, 1993).
²⁰ Pinchas Lapide, The Resurrection of Jesus: A Jewish Perspective (Eugene: Wipf and Stock, 1983).
²¹ Marcus Borg, The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1999).
²² William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (Wheaton: Crossway, 2008).
²³ N.T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003).
²⁴ Michael R. Licona, The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2010).
²⁵ Craig S. Keener, The Historical Jesus of the Gospels (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009).
The Status Quo on the Resurrection of Christ
The consensus of New Testament scholars and historians, representing a broad spectrum of perspectives—including Christian, secular, skeptical, and Jewish—acknowledges the historical evidence surrounding the resurrection of Christ. These experts agree that:
- The disciples and early Christians sincerely believed in the resurrection of Jesus.
- Early and historical sources, both Christian and non-Christian, confirm that this belief was central to the identity and growth of the early Christian movement.
- The physical resurrection of Jesus was proclaimed from the very beginning, as evidenced by early creeds, eyewitness testimony, and the transformation of His followers.
This forms the status quo: the well-established understanding that the resurrection was not an invention of later Christianity but the core belief of first-century followers of Jesus.
If one wishes to challenge this status quo, they must present evidence of equal or greater explanatory power to address the historical phenomena of:
- The empty tomb.
- The post-resurrection appearances reported by individuals and groups.
- The transformation of the disciples from fear to bold, public proclamation.
Merely denying the resurrection is not an argument and does not engage with the evidence. To effectively challenge the status quo, an argument must go beyond dismissal and provide a plausible alternative explanation that accounts for the data.
Resolution
Given that the overwhelming majority of New Testament scholars and historians agree that first-century Christians and the disciples of Jesus sincerely believed in His physical resurrection, and that this belief is supported by the historical phenomena of the empty tomb, post-resurrection appearances, and the transformation of His followers, any objection to the resurrection must provide evidence of equal or greater explanatory power to account for these historical facts.
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