The Resurrection: Does Circumstantial Evidence Confirm It?(Excerpts from "BreakPoint with Charles Colson" The Evidence Bible (Bridge-Logos Publishers). See also www.raycomfort.com.) Circumstantial evidence is an accumulation of facts
from which one can draw intelligent conclusions. Former journalist Lee
Strobel began to wonder: Could circumstantial evidence verify that the
resurrection of Christ really happened? Well, he took his question to
philosopher J. P. Moreland. In a challenging voice, Strobel asked Moreland:
"Can you give me five pieces of solid circumstantial evidence that convince
you Jesus rose from the dead?" "Certainly," Moreland responded.
First, there's the evidence of the skeptics. Some of
those who were most hostile to Jesus later became his most ardent supporters.
Second, the ancient Jews had a number of immensely important
religious rituals. These included the offering of animal sacrifices,
obeying the Mosaic law, and keeping the Sabbath. But within five weeks
of Jesus' death, more than 10,000 Jews had suddenly altered or abandoned
these rituals. Moreland asked: Why would they relinquish rites that
had long given them their national identity? The implication is that
something enormously significant had occurred.
Third, we see the emergence of new rituals: the sacraments
of Communion and Baptism. The early Christians baptized in the name
of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, "which," Moreland said,
"meant they had elevated Jesus to the full status of God."
Fourth, we see the rapid rise of a new church, beginning
shortly after the death of Jesus. Within twenty years this new church
(begun by the companions of a dead carpenter) had reached Caesar's palace
in Rome, and eventually spread throughout the Roman Empire.
And fifth, Moreland said, there's the most convincing
circumstantial evidence of all: the fact that every one of Jesus' disciples
was willing to suffer and die for his beliefs. These men spent the rest
of their lives witnessing about Christ. They frequently went without
food; they were mocked, beaten, and thrown into prison. In the end,
all but one died a painful martyr's death. Would they have done this
for a lie? Of course not. They did it because they were convinced beyond
a doubt that they had seen the risen Christ.
Even if we doubted 2,000-year-old evidence, we have
all the circumstantial evidence we could possibly want--right in front
of us.
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